Smart Choice 61 Trailers 505 Shoemaker Avenue
Shoemakersville, PA 19555
(610) 562-3300
(610) 562-3300
Pennsylvania requires vehicle safety inspections to ensure that vehicles are maintained for safe operation. Safety Inspections can prevent vehicle failure on the highways and crashes that may result in injuries or death. Vehicle safety inspections are performed at our full service garage and we are an official PennDot inspection Station. Inspection fees are posted at our official PennDot inspection station. These fees do not include repairs to correct vehicle defects.
Book NowWhenever you get a new set of tires or wheels, you’re going to want to have an expert mount and balance them unless, of course, you’re an expert and you have your own mounting and balancing equipment.
Book NowMounting is pretty self-explanatory – it’s simply the act of putting the tires onto the wheels, then installing the wheels onto your vehicle’s axles. Balancing is a bit more complicated. A wheel is said to be in balance when the center of gravity is identical to the axis of rotation – in other words, when the mass of the wheel and the tire is evenly distributed around the axle, so there’s no vibration when the tire spins. An easy way to understand the concept of a balanced tire is to think about your washing machine during the spin cycle. If the clothes are evenly distributed inside the washer, no problem. But when things get unbalanced, it’s a completely different experience – and you certainly wouldn’t want that to happen to your tires!
Spin Balancing Your installer uses special equipment to analyze the tires and wheels and find any heavy spots that could cause them to vibrate when spinning. One at a time, the tire and wheel assemblies are placed on the balancing machine and run through a series of diagnostic tests. The machine identifies where the tire and wheel assembly is out of balance, and then the technician corrects any imbalances by applying small weights to the rim at specific locations, in order to even out the distribution of weight. Road Force Balancing While spin balancing spins the tire assembly in the air to find imbalances, a Road Force balancer simulates the force of the road on a tire by pressing a large roller against the tire as it spins. Then the machine measures the deviation from perfect roundness so the technician can balance the tire. Road Force balancing may be able to detect tire issues not found by spin balancing.
If your wheels and tires are out of balance, your vehicle’s ride can be affected. If you’re experiencing vibration that starts at around 40-45 mph, and worsens as your speed increases, chances are you have an out of balance tire. Most of us are sensitive to vibrations while driving, and even a small vibration can be extremely annoying. And that’s not all – the repetitive vibrations can make your tires wear out faster, along with the wheel bearings, shocks, and other suspension components. Vibrations can also occur if the wheel and/or tire are not completely round. If there’s a high spot on the wheel and also a high spot on the tire, and they happen to be lined up with each other, then the high spot will be even more pronounced. A trained technician can usually correct this problem by rotating the tire slightly on the wheel, so the high spots are no longer matched up.
If you’re getting a new set of tires, or you just think you may need to have your wheels balanced, we can help you
Automotive Repair means the general repair, engine rebuilding or reconditioning of motor vehicles collision service such as body, frame and fender straightening and repair of motor vehicles. Maintenance is regular service that will help prolong the life of your vehicle, while auto repair is when a part or fluid is not performing and needs to be fixed. Without proper maintenance, pricey repairs might be needed. Both of these are services we offer and we are grateful many of your neighbors have chosen us as their local repair and maintenance center for their cars and trucks.
Book NowInterested in custom parts installation on your new car or truck or that project car you just can’t seem to finish? Let us know what you need done as we would love to help customize your car or truck. Projects are taken on a case-by-case basis, so please be sure to contact us for more information, estimates and scheduling availability.
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To maximize the life and performance of your vehicle, here is a list of general
automotive maintenance services we offer including oil change. Some of
these parts of your vehicle should be checked regularly, and others only in the
long run. Be sure to follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule and service
interval record.
Caring for your car and keeping it in proper running order takes a little bit of effort, but you
definitely don’t have to be a mechanical whiz to keep your vehicle running
well. The biggest hurdle is being aware of what needs to be done and how
often for optimal vehicle upkeep. By knowing the basics about what your car
needs, and when you should perform routine car maintenance, you’ll ensure that
your car is in top-running condition.
As an added bonus, if you can prove that your vehicle has been well maintained, you’ll be able to
ask top dollar when it’s time to resell it. And, of course, it’s important to
remember that car maintenance costs, while not always cheap, can ultimately
help you avoid expensive repairs down the road.
For proper vehicle maintenance, inspect the following:
Every month, or every few gas fill-ups and especially before any longer road trips, it’s a good idea to get under the hood of your car and inspect both the oil and coolant levels while the engine is cool. Low levels of either can lead to engine problems if left unchecked. Refer to your owner’s manual to locate both on your specific vehicle.
Your engine’s air filter is what regulates the air that flows into your engine and helps keep out debris and particulate. By making certain that your air filter is flowing properly, you can improve your fuel efficiency, decrease your emissions, and help ensure the life of your engine. This can be done easily at home, so check your owner’s manual for instructions and how often it needs to be changed.
Since well-maintained tires are integral to a safe, fuel-efficient ride, make it a habit to visually inspect your tires often. Check the pressure in your tires every month, and before long trips or carrying extra load. Don’t forget the spare. A tire pressure gauge will be needed to check your tire pressure. Also, during the colder months, note that tire pressure drops one pound with every 10 degree decrease in pressure. Your owner’s manual will tell you how much air pressure your tire needs. You can check your tread depth using the simple penny method.
It’s important that the lights on your vehicle are properly functioning, but oftentimes it can be easy item to overlook. Once a month, turn on your headlights when you’re parked in front of a flat surface and check that both headlights are working properly and well-positioned. Walk around your car and visually inspect both turn signals and your parking lights. Have a friend stand behind the car while you engage the brakes to be certain that your brake lights are functional.
The motor oil in your vehicle’s engine serves a whole slew of functions: it lubricates the moving parts, helps act as a sealant against debris, cools the engine, reduces wear and tear, and helps prevent engine corrosion. Keeping it clean is vital for good engine health. Depending on your car and what kind of oil you’re using, you may need to change both the oil & oil filter as much as every 3 months or 3000 miles. Many newer vehicles’ owners’ manuals will recommend changing your oil less frequently – often in-between 5,000 and 10,000 miles. Check your vehicle owner’s manual and consult with a professional to be certain what is appropriate for your vehicle.
Depending on your vehicle alignment, usage, and many other factors, the tread wear patterns on your tires may vary between the front and back tires, or even from one side of the tread to the other. Rotating your tires will help to extend the service life of your tires by more evenly balancing the tread wear, and helping prevent noise and vibration problems.
Much like the oil in your engine, transmission fluid is a lubricant that helps keep all of the moving parts inside of your transmission functioning properly. Whether you’re driving an automatic or manual transmission vehicle, it is essential that you have your transmission fluid checked and changed when needed to avoid costly transmission damage or replacement. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
In four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles, the transfer case is what shifts power from the transmission to the axles. You’ll need to have the transfer case fluid checked according to the vehicle manufacturer recommendations to make certain that it is properly filled and leak-free. This will require you getting under the vehicle, so bringing it into a professional is recommended.
The shocks and struts on your car function to control the impact and rebound as your vehicle passes over bumps in the road and are an essential part of your auto’s steering system. They should be inspected by a professional every 50,000 miles or bring your car in to the shop if you notice a decrease in smoothness or loss of control when driving.
The radiator in your car is a vital component that helps keep your engine cool and functioning properly. Having your coolant system flushed regularly will help get rid of contaminants that can build up inside as well as ensure that your radiator is filled to a proper level. Check your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation to find out how often your coolant should be exchanged.
The spark plugs in your engine ignite the gas and air mixture that ultimately powers your vehicle . If your spark plugs aren’t functioning properly, your engine will lose power and won’t run at optimal capacity. We can check and replace any faulty spark plugs depending on vehicle mfr recommendations or when you feel a decrease in your engine’s power.
Although may seem like a simple piece of rubber, your vehicle’s serpentine belt is essential to keeping your car running by powering peripheral devices such as your alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioner compressor. Visually inspect the belt to ensure that it is free of cracks or other wear and tear. Replace if damaged or according to your vehicle manufacture’s recommendation.
The differentials are devices that split the torque or power from the engine and allow it to send power to the tires. In front or rear-wheel drive vehicles, there is only one differential, but in 4-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles, there is both a front and rear differential, and possibly even a center differential. Like many parts of your vehicle, the differentials need to be kept lubricated to ensure proper functionality.
The needs of your vehicle can vary by season and driving conditions. Following are a few suggestions to add to the notes section of your vehicle maintenance checklist:
Windshield wipers need to be replaced about once every year, or whenever the effectiveness is compromised. In winter months, it could also be a good idea to install winter wiper blades for optimum performance. You should also pull your wipers away from the window when parked during the winter to prevent ice buildup.
Your car battery is one of the most important components for your vehicle to run. A car battery supplies large amounts of electrical current for the starter, engine and other electronic accessories in the vehicle. Extreme temperatures affect the performance of the battery so regular battery testing will ensure that battery will perform when you need it to.
It’s also important to check your antifreeze levels in your radiator in winter months to keep your
radiator or engine components from freezing. A 50/50 mix of antifreeze to water
is generally recommended, but check your owner’s manual or with a professional
to be certain.
Sticking to a car maintenance schedule, and keeping good records of what you’ve done, can help
extend the life of your vehicle and protect you against breakdowns, expensive
repairs, and other unwelcomed surprises.
From brake pads to brake fluid we provide the services you need to help keep your stopping power responsive and reliable – and, get you back on the road quickly. You get used to your brakes. How they sound, how the pedal feels – and how quickly they stop your vehicle. Then one day, your brakes just aren’t the same. Your brakes sound funny. Your pedal feels funny – and you need to press it farther. Worst of all, it takes longer and longer to come to a stop. We hate surprises (at least behind the wheel) as much as you do. But we know change is inevitable. Brake pads and rotors wear out from the immense friction and heat they encounter. Air gets into brake lines. And your brake system has dozens of other components that can wear out at any time. When you come in for any brake problem you can know that we will fix the issue and have you back on the road safely.
Trailer inspection is a service we offer and many of your friends and local businesses trust us to inspect their trailers. In the state of PA (Pennsylvania) any trailer with a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) over 3000 Lbs. needs to be inspected annually. The state of Pennsylvania has a mandatory state vehicle inspection program. You must have your vehicle inspected yearly for safety. The safety inspection is to keep you and the other drivers on the road safe.
Trailers are complex pieces of machinery. Without proper trailer service and repair, your vehicle will be exposed to a range of potential operational & safety issues from brake or transmission failure, to tire defects, suspension issues and more, trailers are susceptible to a broad spectrum of mechanical faults. Left unaddressed, these can quickly become costly and make your vehicle a danger to other drivers. We offer quality trailer maintenance work to ensure your vehicle is always road-ready.