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If you’re new to driving in cold weather, you may have been hearing people talk about “studded tires” and wondering what they are. Learn more about studded winter tires in this blog by ALignment Center and Alaska Car & Truck in Anchorage, AK.

If you have ever noticed your engine hesitate when starting up on a chilly morning, you have probably guessed that cold weather isn’t your car’s favorite. What you probably don’t know is why exactly cold weather can affect the performance of your car and how.TiresAs you probably know, your tires are made of rubber. When temperatures get extra cold, the rubber in your tires will stiffen. When your tires become stiff, they cannot mold to the road and get traction. In the coldest ...

The construction of the modern tire is a testament to how far engineering and technology have come over the centuries. No more are the days of an air-filled donut comprised of rubber. Years of research by the world’s top tire companies have resulted in the tires we have today, which are full of state-of-the-art materials and technology.   Tread   The outermost layer of your tire is called the tread. This is the patterned rubber layer you can see. The pattern of the tread will depend on the typ...

You’ve probably been told at some point in your driving career to not drive your car while the gas tank is on empty, but did you know why that is? This recommendation is more than just an old wives’ tale—you can damage your car by ignoring that gas light for too long.   First, you should understand what your fuel light indicator really means. When you hear the familiar “ding” that accompanies your fuel light, your fuel tank has reached “reserve” levels, or around 10-15% capacity. It is p...

Most of us have been taught to avoid potholes while driving. It was probably one of the very first things we learned behind the wheel! Although most us know driving over potholes is bad for our vehicles, very few know exactly why that is. These are the parts of your vehicle you should be worried about if you accidentally drive over a pothole:   Steering System   If you hit a pothole, you risk misaligning your steering system. If you have noticed your vehicle pulling to the left or right while y...

Unless you consider yourself a car enthusiast, you may find yourself feeling a bit lost when having conversations with your mechanic. At times, it can feel like you are speaking to someone using a different language with words like “grease monkey,” “kickdown,” and “oversquare” whizzing past your head like dodgeballs. Hopefully, this list of common auto repair terms will help your next conversation with your mechanic go a bit more seamlessly:   Aftermarket – This term applies to parts w...

If you’ve never done it before, purchasing tires can be a frustrating and intimidating task. How do you know what brand is best? How do you get the best price? We will discuss these questions and more in this blog post. 1. Read Reviews It’s impossible to know how tires will perform after a few thousand miles… unless you read the reviews of people who already have those tires. When looking through reviews, look for people who drive a similar car to yours (truck, SUV, sports car, etc.) and ski...

If you’ve ever driven in a foreign country, you’ve probably encountered your fair share of strange traffic laws. Did you know you’ll be fined for driving a dirty car in Russia or for driving without a breathalyzer in your car in France? Some of these laws are hard to believe!   1. In Russia, you will be fined for driving a dirty vehicle.   2. In Germany, it is illegal to run out of fuel on the Autobahn.   3. In Alabama it is legal to drive the wrong way down a one-way street, but only if yo...

Is your car as ready for the winter as you are? Just like we prepare for the cold season with coats and scarves, our cars need to be just as prepared, if not more. There are many things you can do to get your vehicle ready for the season and to give yourself peace of mind, but these are just to name a few.    Check Your Battery The last thing you want is for your car to die or not start when it is freezing outside. Your battery has to work harder when it is cold outside, and we want that to be ...

There are several questions that always comes up this time of year. Do we need snow tires or studded tires? What is best for me and the area I live in? What are the pros and cons to both? Driving in the winter can be dangerous, but with the right tires and careful driving, it can be a little less stressful and a lot safer. Now all you must decide is are you getting winter tires or studded tires.   Winter Tires or Studded Tires   We will start with winter tires. Winter tires are designed to be ...