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Your vehicle’s alternator has an important role in your vehicle, yet it’s a part that people tend to overlook until it stops working. When this happens, the result is usually the vehicle not starting in your yard/garage or you being stranded away from home. At Valley Imports Mitsubishi, we want you to be an informed driver that knows how important your alternator is to your car and also what signs to look for to determine if the alternator needs replacing.

Although most people think it’s the battery that allows your vehicle to start, it’s actually…

Have you been wondering if it's time to change your car's battery? If your car won't start, are you sure it's the battery. If a battery is old, it still might be functional if it's been maintained properly. Do you know what kind you should replace it with?

If the battery appears to be exhausted, you should have it tested by a mechanic. The problem could be a bad alternator not charging it properly, or the battery posts could be covered in corrosion. Topping off the water in the battery cells can help too.

If…

Get into the habit of asking for wheel alignment service when taking a car in for routine maintenance. Even if nothing is wrong, at least a professional measurement via a specialized machine will tell the real story. If the wheel angles are wrong, a technician can work on fixing the problem.

A vehicle relies on three angles, called the toe, caster, and camber, to keep proper tire connection on the road. When off, poor wheel alignment skews tracking and wears down the tires.

A common reason why wheels get knocked out of alignment is impact.

Have you ever had a flat tire while on the road or been involved in an accident and had to wait for help? If so, you know the importance of having a fully-stocked roadside emergency kit. It might not solve your immediate dilemma but can make the waiting much easier, especially if you have children in the vehicle. 

Without brake pads, your car will not stop properly. Pads are an integral part of a car's entire braking system. When you press your brake pedal, your pads provide pressure to the brake rotors, which results in your car slowing down and ultimately coming to a complete stop.

Brake rotors are the discs behind the wheels of most vehicles. When the pads start to apply pressure to the rotors, it creates friction. Without this friction, vehicles of any kind will not slow down or stop. Although the function of brake pads is pretty straightforward, the actual pads are critically…

If you have noticed sluggish performance from your car lately or heard a loud screeching noise, you could have an issue with a faulty belt or hose. These components tend to break down after a long period of time, but it all depends on your car’s exposure to extreme temperatures, chemicals, and everyday use. For older cars, it’s imperative that you get the belts and hoses checked with every oil change.

The two most important belts to check include the timing belt and serpentine belt. If your car has a crack in the timing belt, your engine may…

Here at our conveniently located facility, our Mitsubishi service technicians enjoy helping drivers to spot signs of car trouble. One area that is of great concern to drivers of every vehicle is trouble with the starter motor. Among other things, a well-functioning starter enables vehicle operators to start and operate their vehicles at the times of their choosing. As such, it is of key importance for vehicle owners to keep their starters in shape.

To this end, it can be useful for vehicle owners to have knowledge about some commonly seen starter issues.  

Although there are many batteries available for cars, some products may not provide enough power for demanding routines. In this guide, you'll learn how to pick a suitable battery for your automobile.

Every battery has valuable details in its description. When reviewing the labels, look for any description that highlights high-performance components. A high-performance battery is somewhat expensive; however, it's worth the cost because the cells provide long-lasting power. 

Summer is hot, but your car doesn't need to run hot. In fact, an overheating engine can lead to serious, long-term damage to your car. Experts say it is cheaper and easier to prevent overheating.

There are components that make up the radiator and cooling system. It's good to know about them, their functions and servicing them. The radiator has a core surrounded by cooling fins. Coolant flows through the core while air passes through the fins. Heat is released through the fins, keeping your vehicle's temperature at a proper level. 

When you are driving in a storm with the rain really coming down, you soon realize just how important it is to have a good set of wiper blades. Without them, you wouldn't be able to see anything. Wiper blades need to be changed every so often so that you will always have a clear path to see.

One of the signs that you need new wiper blades is smearing on the windshield when the wipers are attempting to clear the rain. The blades shouldn't make any streaks. Wipers that are going bad may also make a chattering…