Automotive News & Information - Birch's Automotive & Muffler

Tires may be the only part of a vehicle that physically meets the road, but your shock absorbers are next in line. Working with the suspension springs, they absorb shocks from bumps and cracks in the road, while simultaneously controlling bounce and body roll.

At Birch's Automotive & Muffler in Arlington, TN, we understand that maintenance is the difference between a truck that makes it to the million-mile mark and a truck that doesn’t come close. Here are some tips to keep your truck in shape for many miles to come.

Your Chevy, Ram or Ford pickup is equipped with an Electronic Control Unit, or ECU, that acts as the “brain” of your diesel truck. At Birch's Automotive & Muffler in Arlington, TN, we have the technology, technicians, and equipment necessary to reprogram and service even the most sophisticated electronic controls.

Your transmission mounts keep your transmission in place and suppress vibrations coming from the drivetrain. How do you know when to replace them or when they’re going bad. At Birch's Automotive & Muffler in Arlington, TN, our goal is to educate you about your vehicle so that you can drive it safely and prolong its life.

Obviously, the dirtier your fuel system is, the bigger the improvement you will see in performance and fuel economy after a fuel system cleaning. But it is important not to wait until your system is running poorly. If you do, by the time you get a cleaning, you’ve wasted hundreds of dollars in gas or even possibly damaged your fuel injectors and catalytic converter.

At Birch's Automotive & Muffler in Arlington, TN, we work hard to be the maintenance and repair shop your fleet needs.

The steering and suspension systems are key safety-related systems that largely determine your car’s ride and handling. Have these systems checked regularly, at least once a year, and usually with a wheel alignment.

What does it do? - The suspension maintains the relationship between the wheels and the frame or unibody. The suspension system interacts with the steering system to provide vehicle control. When working properly, the suspension system helps absorb the energy from road irregularities such as potholes and helps to maintain vehicle stability. The steering system transmits your input from the steering wheel to the steering gear and other steering components to control the car’s direction.

Typical Wear and Tear - Over time, steering and suspension components wear out and require replacement. Regular checks are critical to maintaining a safe car. Factors that affect wear include driving habits, operating conditions (potholes in road), vehicle type, type of steering and suspension system, and frequency of regular maintenance. Some symptoms that you are having issues with your vehicle steering and suspension include the car pulling to one side, uneven tire wear, excessive noise, vibration or bouncing, and loss of control.

Call or come by Birch's Automotive & Muffler in Arlington today to have our professionals make sure your car is road-ready!

Keeping up with oil changes is one of the most important aspects of keeping your engine in good shape. However, you've probably noticed that the price of oil changes can vary pretty dramatically depending on what you get, and the oil all looks the same. Here's a breakdown of the difference between synthetic and conventional oil, from Birch's Automotive & Muffler in Arlington, TN.