Your REPUTABLE Auto Repair Shop in AIKEN, SC

At some time in life, many of us become parents of teenagers, and there’s one thing they want more than anything else in the world: to drive. But are we ready? For the emotions, the financial burden, and inevitable mechanical abuse that comes with it? Have you ever experienced the worry of watching your teenage daughter drive away for the very first time? Or the horror of sitting in the passenger seat while your son barrels through a red traffic light at 45 mph, with nothing but The Fast and the Furious in his eyes? How about the household budget— bankrupt by the gas card charges, auto insurance policy, and keeping the mechanic and body shop on retainer? Us parents need to be aware of what our teenagers are doing while driving. We can’t just take our teens at their word when we ask “Are you driving safe? Is the car OK?” Chances are, they’ll say yes, even if the evidence says otherwise. A little parental detective work can go a long way. Let me give you a few cases I’ve uncovered over the years: The Bald Tire Mystery While servicing a car, I noticed the right rear tire was completely bald, while the other three were still in great shape. After some “Magnum P.I.”-style sleuthing, I discovered that the owner’s teenage son was the driver of the car. Since the car was rear-wheel-drive, it was clear he had a love for jackrabbit starts and the sweet smell of burning rubber. The Vanishing Sidewalls Another telltale sign: check the edges and sidewalls of your tires. You may at one time have had nice white lettered tires on your SUV before your teenager started driving, but now, those white letters are gone, as well as the outer treads. In my experience, this usually means your young driver has been curb-checking at the fast-food drive-thru and then flying into turns like their favorite NASCAR driver. The Interior Apocalypse Finally, take a peek inside your car. If a foul odor immediately burns your eyes and makes you consider calling 911, you may have uncovered what I call “teenage terrorism.” You might find moo goo gai pan fossilized under the seat, or a two-week-old soda fermenting in the console. If you survive the first breath, congratulations, you’ve just solved the case. The bottom line: make it a habit to see what your teens are doing in the car. They won't always tell you if something's wrong because they know if the car goes into the shop, then they don’t get to drive. If they don’t get to drive, for some that means riding the dreaded school bus! There goes their reputation. Our teens may have their motives, but so do we. We want them safe. We love them, and even if their driving gives us a few more gray hairs, keeping an eye on the little clues can help us all survive the ride! Drive Safe! Brian Bernard – Owner, Automotive Workbench Your Car,… Trusted Care

Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of construction, repaving, and road repair happening around Aiken. Yea!! I’m quite happy about this because we all love smooth roads. But, of course, with the good, there always is a bit of bad. In this case, the bad is the hassle of maneuvering through rough terrain and waiting, waiting, and waiting to get through the construction zones. One day, it took almost 12 minutes for me to turn left onto E Pine Log from my shop’s driveway. What is it that Charlie Brown says? I think it’s “AARGH”! As if the construction delays weren’t enough, the weather has joined the party. Heavy rains create new potholes in the weakened asphalt, and they can wreak havoc on your car’s tires and suspension. At the shop, I’m seeing a higher-than-normal number of cars in my shop requiring alignments and new tires. Many of the tire replacements are due to damaged sidewalls and “choppy” treads. The tricky part is, a car can drive ‘as straight as an arrow,’ but the steering linkage may be way out of adjustment. That hidden problem can cause tires to wear in no time and, if ignored, may even lead to a dreaded blowout! So here are a few simple checks you can do to catch alignment, tire, or brake issues before they turn into something bigger: Pull Test On a smooth, straight road (Ha-ha, I know, tricky to find these days), momentarily let go of the steering wheel. Does the car pull to the right or left? If the car pulls in one direction, it could be a sign that your car is out of alignment, or that a tire has low air pressure. Vibration Check At a steady speed, rest your hands lightly on the steering wheel. If there is a vibration in the steering wheel, that could be an indication of a wheel balance issue or a possible belt separation in a front tire. Brake Test When braking at higher speeds, do you feel vibration in the steering wheel or throughout the car? That’s a telltale sign of front suspension problems or warped brake rotors. Both issues can transfer excess play into the steering wheel. Keeping your car properly maintained not only keeps you safe but also ensures you’ll be ready to fully enjoy those smooth new roads we’ve all been waiting so patiently for! Drive Safe! Brian Bernard – Owner, Automotive Workbench Your Car,… Trusted Care