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Noticing an unusual feeling from your vehicle while braking can be worrying, especially when it occurs under braking. While slight vibrations from your vehicle can be normal, a consistent shaking feeling when you hit the brake pedal could be a sign of larger issues in your vehicle’s braking system.

In this article, we’ll go over the common causes of vibrations while braking, why this occurs, and what it could mean for the health of your vehicle.

What’s Causing My Car To Shake Under Braking?

In the majority of cases, a shaking feeling while braking can be attributed to a warped brake rotor.

In disc brake setups, which are found on the vast majority of modern vehicles, the brake rotors are the large metal discs which are pressed down on by the abrasive brake pads to create friction and slow down the vehicle. When these components experience excessive heat, it can cause the metal of the rotor to warp and bend. This generally occurs due to heavy or frequent braking causing the rotor to overheat.

With a warped rotor, the brake pads will skip along the uneven surface of the pad, which transfers small vibrations to the chassis which cause that shaking feeling while you brake.

Are Warped Brake Rotors Dangerous?

Driving on warped brake rotors can definitely become dangerous. While many cases start out fairly mild, severely warped brakes will cause a loss of stopping power and control of the vehicle. Reduced braking performance can quickly lead to a dangerous situation, and allowing warped rotors to linger can cause increased wear to surrounding components or even lead to cracks developing within the rotor itself. 

How To Prevent Rotors From Warping

The easiest way to prevent your brake rotors from overheating is to focus on braking gradually and less-frequently, as this will ensure the rotors do not experience rapid heat buildup that leads to warping. 

Having your brake system inspected occasionally will also give you a good idea of your brakes’ current health so you can make educated decisions on brake maintenance and replacement.

Brake System Services in Riverton, UT

If you notice a shaking feeling while braking, or suspect your vehicle has other brake system issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Matson Point S in Riverton, Utah. Our team has the equipment and experience needed to provide your brake system with the highest quality of service and repair. Don’t let brake issues linger and cause you bigger problems down the line, give us a call or schedule online today to secure your appointment with the Salt Lake Valley’s premier brake service facility!

Tire rotations are a crucial service for maximizing the life of your tires’ tread and getting the most out of them while driving. While this service can often be overlooked, regular rotations help to spread the tire wear evenly across all four. Neglecting them can lead to decreased tire lifespan and reduced traction.

In this article, we’ll go over what tire rotations are, why they’re important for your vehicle, and how often you should be rotating yours!

What Is a Tire Rotation?

Not every tire on your vehicle wears evenly, in fact, certain locations receive a much higher amount of wear than the others depending on how the vehicle’s drivetrain is set up. A tire rotation consists of swapping the vehicle’s tire in a pattern that spreads out the tread wear evenly across each tire over multiple rotations.

Each vehicle has a preferred pattern for tire rotation based on its drivetrain as well as whether the tire tread is directional or not. For some vehicles, the tires will be rotated in an X-pattern, while in some others the front tires may just be swapped to the rear. 

Why Are Tire Rotations Important?

Since each tire isn’t receiving the same level of wear, failing to rotate the tires allows certain tires to wear down considerably faster than those in other locations on the vehicle. Rotating them allows for you to compensate for that difference and extend the life of your tires by no particular tire is faced with too much wear and tear.

By maximizing the traction available from each tire, tire rotations can also improve handling and fuel efficiency, as the negative effects of low tire tread are spread throughout all four.

How Often Should I Have My Tires Rotated

The exact interval between rotations can vary based on tire type and driving habits (e.g. off-roading or heavy-towing), however a good rule of thumb is to have yours done between every 5,000-7,500 miles. By staying on top of these services, you can ensure that your tires are wearing evenly and you won’t be faced with tire trouble that requires early replacement.

Owner’s manuals generally also include the recommended interval as well as pattern for tire rotations, and provide an easy-to-find resource if you’re not sure about when you need a rotation.

Tire Services & Rotations at Matson Point S

If you’re in need of new tires, tire repair, rotation, or any other services regarding your tires, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts at Matson Point S in Riverton, Utah. Our team has the equipment and training to provide your vehicle with top-notch tire and maintenance services, no matter what you drive! Give us a call or schedule online today to secure your appointment with the Salt Lake Valley’s premier tire destination.

The radiator is one of the most crucial components of your cooling system, responsible for dissipating heat from coolant into the surroundings so your engine can stay operating at a safe temperature.

As such a large component, radiator replacement can seem daunting for many drivers. In this article, we’ll break down how radiators experience failure, what symptoms you may notice, and how much you may need to spend to have yours swapped out. 

How Do Radiators Fail?

Radiators can fail for a variety of reasons, including physical damage and corrosion.

Generally located at the front of the vehicle behind the grill, radiators are exposed to a high degree of road debris and inclement weather. Over time, small impacts and/or corrosion from outside moisture can cause small leaks in the metal housing, allowing for crucial coolant to exit the system.

Symptoms of a Failing Radiator

The most obvious sign of a faulty radiator is overheating, as leakage of coolant out of the system will deprive your engine of the coolant fluid it needs to maintain a safe operating temperature.

External leaks also mean you may notice streaks or puddles of coolant below your vehicle, which of course means you engine is losing coolant volume. 

Overheating conditions will also be accompanied by warning lights for coolant temperature or coolant level along with a high temperature reading on the engine’s thermometer.

How Much Do Radiator Replacements Cost?

Of course, the exact cost of a radiator replacement depends on factors such as the make and model of the vehicle and location of service. For example, replacements on a specialty German vehicle will likely be costlier than the same service on the majority of commuter vehicles. 

Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere between $700 to $1700 depending on the specific parts and labor needed. 

Cooling System Services in Riverton, Utah

If you’re in need of a radiator replacement, or any other cooling-related issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experienced team at Matson Point S in Riverton, Utah. Our technicians have the expertise and equipment needed to provide your vehicle with the cooling system maintenance it deserves, no matter the make or model! 

Give us a call today or schedule online to secure your appointment with the friendly team at Matson Point S.

Wheel alignments are one of the most crucial maintenance services when it comes to keeping your vehicle driving as it should, yet it’s also one of the easiest to overlook as suspension systems slowly fall out of proper alignment over the course of thousands of miles.

So what actually is wheel alignment, why is it such an important service for you vehicle, and how do you know if it’s time to bring your vehicle in for one?

What Is a Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignments consist of using specialized equipment to align each of the suspension components to the proper angle, ensuring that each of the four wheels are pointed perfectly straight.

Why Do I Need Wheel Alignments?

Over time, the various components of your suspension system will begin to fall out of alignment, and as it’s such an interconnected system, even a small misalignment can shift the rest of the components into the incorrect place.

Without wheel alignments, your wheels will eventually end up pointing slightly awry and can cause the vehicle to behave unpredictably.

How Often Do I Need an Alignment?

In general, it’s best to have your vehicle’s wheels aligned around every year or so. While the exact interval can vary depending on a variety of factors like make/model and driving habits, an annual alignment ensures that the issue is not able to worsen and cause issues.

How Do I Know If I Need an Alignment?

While wheel alignments should be done occasionally anyways, there are a few signs to look out for that could be warning you of improper alignment, including:

• Vehicle pulls to the side
• Difficulty making turns
• Tires skips or hop when turning
• Reduced fuel efficiency
• Increased suspension wear

If you notice any of the above symptoms or suspect your vehicle is in need of an alignment, it’s important to bring your vehicle to a trusted automotive professional to ensure your suspension components are all in the right place.

Wheel Alignments in Riverton, Utah

If your vehicle is in need of an alignment, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Matson Point S in Riverton, Utah. Our technicians have the training and state-of-the-art alignment equipment to ensure each suspension component is aligned perfectly to the specifications provided by the manufacturer. Don’t delay, give us a call or schedule online today!

It can be both pricey and time-consuming to have your tires swapped out for the upcoming season, which leads many to ask the question; can I just keep driving on my winter tires through the summer?

All-Season vs. Winter Tires

All-Season tires are made with versatility in mind, able to provide sufficient traction on road surfaces at a variety of temperatures and traction levels. All-Seasons have the ability to perform well even in some wet and slippery conditions. Those living in locations that stay pretty dry over the winter may not need to switch to a seasonal tire at all.

However, if you live in an area that sees heavy snowfall and icy streets, such as here in the Salt Lake Valley, it’s important to ensure that your tires can handle these circumstances. This is where winter tires shine, built to provide sufficient traction in inclement weather. The rubber compound of all-season tires become stiff in cold weather, and don’t have the proper traction patterns to disperse water effectively, making winter tires a must for many in the winter months.

Winter tires make use of a specialized soft rubber compound as deep tread to maintain adequate traction. The soft rubber prevents the tires from over-stiffening in the freezing cold, and aggressive siping allows for the tread to bite into packed snow and ice. 

Effects of Driving on Winter Tires Year-Round

Although it can seem appealing from a financial perspective to simply keep driving on your winter tires through the hotter months, there are a multitude of reasons why this can be a bad idea.

Increased Tread Wear

For one, the soft rubber compound that’s essential for winter performance is not tailored for high heat. The extra-soft compound becomes too pliable in summer conditions, causing the material to break down and the tread to degrade rapidly, leaving you in need of replacements much sooner.

If saving money on replacements is your goal, forcing your winter tires to deal with summer temperatures may be one of the worst things you can do, as you’ll likely need a new set of tires anyways before the winter comes back around. 

Decreased Traction

Not only does driving on winter tires year-round cause rapid wear on the tires itself, it can also become dangerous for you and your passengers.

This is due to the reduced traction that winter tires see in summer conditions, as the soft rubber compound becomes too pliable at these temperatures. Since the tread will be too soft to create proper traction, your vehicle will experience increased stopping distances and reduced grip that could land you in some unsafe circumstances.

Reduced Efficiency

Also due to the softer rubber compound, driving on winter tires during warm months can drastically reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Soft tires have increased rolling resistance, making the engine work harder to push your vehicle to the desired speed.

The Wrap Up

The answer to if you can drive on winter tires year-round is a hesitant yes, as they’ll still get you to where you need to go (say, a tire shop). However, the important question rather is should you drive on them year-round? By forcing winter tires to cope with the circumstances of hot weather, you open yourself up to a number of problems, including rapid wear and potential safety issues.

In the end, it’s always a good idea to ensure your vehicle is running the proper type of tire. Not only will this provide you with superior traction, it may also counter-intuitively save you cash down the line as all-season tire tread will provide much better durability in summer conditions. 

Tire Replacements at Matson Point S

If you need your tires swapped out for the season, or require any other tire services, don’t hesitate to contact the friendly team at Matson Point S in Riverton, Utah. Our experienced advisors will help walk you through the tire replacement process, and ensure that they’ll be up to the task of the upcoming season. Give us a call or schedule online today!