warning signs

Driving without proper alignment puts you at risk. An out-of-alignment car pulls and drifts away from a straight road. Excessive tire wear leads to tire blowouts and poor traction.

Warning signs include:

• Vibration in steering wheel, seat, or floorboard at certain speed
• The steering wheel pulls to the left or right
• The steering wheel is not straight when driving on a straight roadway
• Your tire tread is wearing unevenly

You typically need an alignment after a major or minor collision that results in physical damage to your vehicle’s frame, notice any steering problems, or hit a pothole or a curb. Bring in your vehicle to have it aligned and you can enjoy a smoother ride, greater control, and longer lasting tires.

Belts and hoses have short lifespans. They are constantly exposed to engine heat, vehicle vibrations, and harmful chemicals, which all have the potential to cause cracks and leaks. 

Warning signs include: 

• Squeaking, screeching that begins when starting your engine or during vehicle operation
• Grinding sounds near belt
• Can sometimes mean a bad pulley bearing rather than the belt itself, as the pulley bearing may freeze up.

When you notice any noises, contact us.  We’ll take a look at it!!

A car without brakes is dangerous. When you notice any brake warning signs, contact our professional staff by phone, or email, immediately and we’ll take care of it. 

Warning signs include:

• Squealing or grinding noises when using brakes. This means your brakes need to be adjusted or the brake pads are worn and need replacement.
• Your dashboard’s Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) light turns on. This means your brake fluid is low. You may have a leak in your brake line. Get it inspected.
• While braking, your car pulls to one side. This could either mean that your brakes need an adjustment, there is brake fluid leakage, or your brakes are worn out and need replacement.
• Your brakes are hard to press down or press down too easily. Usually, this means air has gotten into your brake lines or you may have low brake fluid.
• When applying your brakes, your steering wheel, brake pedal, or entire vehicle begins to shake. If this happens, your brake rotors could be warped and need replacement.

Your safety is our number one priority. You can trust us to make sure your vehicle stops like it’s supposed to.

Check your axles.  Go out to a large space (such as a parking lot), and slowly drive in tight circles. Then listen for any type of noise that may happen when you turn the steering wheel.  

Warning signs include:

• A clicking or cracking noise
     – indicates you have a worn joint and it must be repaired immediately
• Vibrations during acceleration
     – indicate a damaged driveshaft or an axle issue depending on the type of vehicle 

Call or send us an email. We’ll have you back on the road in no time.

Engine warning lights help alert drivers to minor issues before they become major repairs. Be sure to follow up with our staff once your check engine light comes on. 

Warning signs include:

• The “check engine” or “service engine” light is on
  – A sure sign that your engine should be looked at by an expert sooner rather than later. Most of the time, your vehicle’s On-Board Diagnostics System can be accessed and we can run diagnostics to determine what the issue is.  
• Slow-cranking, rough idling, stalling, knocking, or pinging while accelerating
  – Are all signs that you should seek engine repairs or engine diagnostics to determine the full extent of your engine trouble. 
• A decrease in gas mileage and detectable loss of power during acceleration
  – Are signs of an impending engine tune-up or engine repair service.

Louisiana Tire & Lift offers oil changes that are affordable and performed quickly.  It is recommended that oil changes occur every 3,000 – 5,000 miles.  For your car’s particular mileage, always consult your owners handbook or ask one of our professionals.

Warning signs include:

• Check Oil Light is on
• Check Engine Light is illuminated
• Oil is dirty
• Pinging, knocking, or additional sounds coming from the engine

Routine lube and oil changes will keep your engine running stronger and running longer. Call us today for your next oil change.

Front tires tend to wear down faster than rear tires. Typically rear wheel tires last twice as long as front wheel tires. Ideally, we recommend you replace all four tires at the same time. Rotating your tires helps ensure even wearing for all your tires.

Warning signs include:

• Your tread is below 4/32, or can not pass the “penny” test
• Irregular tread wear
• Bulges, bumps, or soft spots on the tire
• Damages to the tire that can not be fixed
• Damages to the valve stem
• Excessive or too little air pressure

Drop-in today to have your vehicle evaluated for potential tire issues

Look for these signs, and if you find either one, come see us. 

Warning signs include:

• Scalloped, erratic wear pattern on tires. 
• Vibration in steering wheel, seat, or floorboard at certain speeds.

Our staff is here to help you with all your balancing needs. During this process, our experts will mount your wheel on the computerized wheel balancing machine.  This allows us to service the indicated areas in order to alleviate vibrations. With your tires and wheels properly balanced, you can enjoy an overall smoother ride, greater control, and longer-lasting tires.