Christopher Bandy, Author at Kruse Lucas Imports

5 Warning Signs of Suspension System Problems in Your Volvo

Posted on July 23, 2022August 3, 2022 by Christopher Bandy

One of the most important systems in your car is the suspension system. The suspension helps to absorb shocks from the road and keep your ride smooth. Over time, however, the suspension system can wear down, causing a number of problems. If you’re a Volvo owner, it’s important to be aware of the warning signs that your suspension system may need some attention. In this blog post, we’ll go over 5 of the most common signs that there may be a problem with your suspension. Keep an eye out for these issues and be sure to have your car checked by a professional if you notice any of them.

Uneven or Premature Tire Wear

One of the most common signs that there may be a problem with your suspension system is uneven or premature tire wear. If you notice that your tires are wearing down unevenly or more quickly than usual, it’s a good idea to have your car checked out.

There are a few different reasons why this may be happening, but it’s likely due to an issue with your shocks or struts. Worn out shocks or struts can cause your tires to lose contact with the road surface, which can lead to premature wear.

Unusual Noises

Another common sign that there may be a problem with your suspension system is unusual noise when driving. If you hear creaking, popping, or rattling sounds coming from your car, it’s a good idea to have it checked out. These sounds are likely due to an issue with your shocks or struts. Worn out shocks or struts can cause the metal components to rub together, which can create the aforementioned noises.

A “Bouncy” Ride Quality

Volvo is committed to providing a smooth ride for all our drivers. That’s why we design our vehicles with a well-functioning suspension system. However, over time, even the best suspension system can start to show wear and tear. If you notice that your Volvo is bouncing more than usual, it’s time to get your suspension checked. If you think there may be a problem with your Volvo’s suspension, reach out to a trusted mechanic as soon as possible.

Excessive Body Roll When Turning

Excessive body roll when cornering is a common issue that can be caused by a number of different factors. In most cases, it is caused by worn or damaged suspension components. This can cause the car to feel unstable and make it difficult to control when taking sharp turns.

Difficulty Steering

If you find that it’s hard to turn the wheel or that your car seems to pull to one side, this can be a sign of suspension problems. The suspension system is responsible for keeping your tires in contact with the road, so if it’s not working properly, you may have difficulty steering. Difficulty steering can be dangerous when driving, so this should be seen to quickly when these symptoms appear.

How to Prevent Suspension Damage in a Volvo

There are a few things you can do to help prevent suspension issues in your Volvo. First, make sure to have the suspension system inspected regularly by a professional. This will allow them to catch any problems early and prevent them from becoming worse. Second, avoid driving over rough terrain or potholes whenever possible. If you do have to drive over these things, go slowly and be careful.

Finally, make sure to keep an eye on your tires. Worn or damaged tires can cause suspension problems, so it’s important to replace them as soon as they start showing signs of wear. By following these tips, you can help keep your Volvo’s suspension system in good shape and avoid potential problems down the road.

Trust Kruse Lucas Imports with Your Volvo

At Kruse Lucas Imports, we understand that your car is a big investment. That’s why we’re committed to providing the highest quality service, no matter what the issue may be. Whether you need emergency suspension repair or routine maintenance, our team of Volvo-certified technicians is always here to help.

We’re proud to serve drivers from Manteca, Oakdale, Ripon, and Turlock, and we’re dedicated to providing the best possible service. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Why It’s Important to Get Quality Brake Service for Your Land Rover

Posted on July 7, 2022July 18, 2022 by Christopher Bandy

Your Land Rover’s brake system must always be in excellent condition because, unlike other vehicle components, any sudden failure is usually catastrophic. Whenever you intend to regulate your speed or come to a total halt, you need your brakes to function on demand every time. Hence, the brake system is an integral component, and you must ensure that any service or repairs are done with precision and accuracy.

The brake system consists of the brake pads, caliper, and rotor. Newer Land Rover models also have an autonomous emergency brake as a driver assist device that kicks in during an imminent risk of collision to help reduce the severity of the impact.

How does the Land Rover brake system work?

Unlike some other vehicle manufacturers that still employ drum brakes for the rear wheels, Land Rover uses disc brakes on all wheels. Disc brakes have evolved and are widely utilized because they have fewer moving parts, longer lifespan, cool off quickly, and easy access for maintenance or repairs.

So, how does a disc brake work? When the driver presses the brake pedal, hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder causes the brake caliper to force the discs on the moving rotor. The contact between the brake pads and rotor causes friction, which reduces the speed of the moving wheels.

Give Your Land Rover Quality Brake Service

Considering the speed most vehicles travel and the catastrophe that could occur if the brake fails, it must always be responsive. Hence, you must be very intentional about the quality of the service the brake gets to ensure it doesn’t fail unexpectedly.

Discussed below are the following reasons why you must provide your brake system with top of the line service:

Brake pads

Land Rover brake pads have an estimated lifespan of 30,000 to 70,000 miles. The longevity of the pads is dependent on driving habits, driving conditions, and the material composition of the pads. Compared to other components in the brake assembly, the brake pads wear down the fastest due to the constant pressure they are constantly subjected to.

The brake pads play a critical role in bringing the vehicle to a halt, and their replacement must be error-free. Besides ensuring that the replacement pads are of the best quality, the technician must also examine the condition of the brake assembly to verify it is in good condition. Installing a new brake pad on a defective brake system could cause premature wear of the pads and result in unresponsive brakes.

Brake rotor

The brake rotor provides the surface that the pads contact to create friction. Although the brake rotor has a longer lifespan than the pads, they may become unevenly worn or damaged and would need replacement. You may often notice screeching after new pad installation, a vibrating and pulsating brake pedal, or intermittent braking noise. Since the brake provides the surface on which the pads grind, it needs to be in pristine condition to generate enough friction required to bring the vehicle to a halt, otherwise, you may experience longer braking distance.

Brake caliper

Regardless of its lengthy lifespan, the caliper starts to wear down from repeated heat-up and cool-down cycles, leaving room for the formation of corrosion inside and outside the brake caliper. Consequently, the corrosion causes abrasive wear on the piston seal, leading to the piston’s seizure and uneven brake pad wear.

The brake assembly needs quality service and repairs to keep it running and in the best condition. Entrusting the job to a reliable technician means the replacement is error-free and, in most cases, promptly detected before it causes damage to other components in the brake assembly.

Kruse Lucas Imports for Your Land Rover Brake Service and Repairs

At Kruse Lucas Import, we understand that brake repair or service requires precision and should be accurate on the first attempt as there is no room for error. Our ASE-certified mechanics have the latest factory tools and extensive experience with all European vehicles.

No matter how big or small the issue, we want you to know that your car is assured of the highest quality service when you visit our shop. We are located in Modesto, CA, and welcome drivers from Manteca, Oakdale, Ripon, and Turlock. Whether it is an emergency brake repair or maintenance, our team is always here to help!

When Should You Change the Engine Oil of Your Audi in Modesto?

Posted on June 21, 2022June 22, 2022 by Christopher Bandy

Engine oil is as essential to a vehicle as the blood is to the human body. Besides lubricating moving parts and reducing engine friction, the engine oil also helps cool down the engine. Since the engine oil is constantly in circulation for the adequate lubrication of the engine, it wears down over time and would need to be replaced.

Your oil change interval depends on the type of oil your engine uses. Ideally, most manufacturers recommend an oil change interval of 5,000 to 7,500 miles, but full-synthetic engine oil could run as far as 15,000 miles before needing service. Keep reading as we discuss symptoms of worn engine oil.

Symptoms of Worn Engine Oil

Running your Audi engine on worn engine oil impacts your vehicle performance and if ignored for long, could cause irreparable engine damage. The good news is that there are easy telltale signs that alert the driver when your engine is due for an oil change. Knowing the symptoms to look out for could help prevent sudden or permanent engine damage.

Illuminated oil change light: The dashboard of your Audi houses several warning lights. One of such lights is the oil change lights. This light automatically comes up after specific mileage points as set by the manufacturer as a reminder to change the oil. The light is then reset after each service.
Dirty oil: A fresh oil has an amber color and is slightly translucent. The constant use of the oil for the engine’s lubrication makes it wear down and gather contaminants, resulting in a darker-looking oil. When you check your engine oil levels and notice that it is dark, it is a good indicator that your engine is due for an oil change.
Engine noise: The engine oil functions to lubricate engine moving components to reduce engine friction. Thus, a properly lubricated engine operates smoothly. On the contrary, old or contaminated oil has less lubricity, resulting in the engine components grinding against themselves and leading to loud engine operation. The metal-to-metal contact of the engine’s internal components may produce a light tapping or knocking sound. It is best to attend to this symptom expediently to prevent total engine damage.
Reduced engine performance: When the oil gets old, it gathers contaminants that reduce its effectiveness. Besides reduced effectiveness, the contaminants also clog the oil filter, reducing the engine’s oil flow and adequate lubrication. When the engine is not properly lubricated, it affects its overall performance.
Overheating: Running on old or low engine oil impacts the capacity of the oil to adequately lubricate the engine and prevent the engine components from heating up. Although overheating is usually due to an issue with the engine cooling system, a worn or low engine oil could also trigger it.

Whenever you notice any of the following symptoms, you should go in for an oil change before your engine experiences irreparable damage.

Causes of Worn Engine Oil

Having the engine oil wear down after an extended period of use is not unusual. The constant circulation of the oil through the engine causes it to wear down and gather contaminants which affect its potency. However, the engine’s condition could accelerate the wear down of the oil.

As you might imagine, an old engine will burn more oil due to worn valve guides, worn cylinder walls, and stuck rings, resulting in the production of by-products that contaminate the oil. Regardless, Audi recommends changing out the car’s engine oil at least once a year or every 10,000 miles driven, whichever comes first.

Carry Out Your Engine Maintenance at Kruse Lucas Imports

At Kruse Lucas Imports, we recognize the importance of quality maintenance and repairs, which is why we only employ qualified technicians. We are equipped with the latest factory tool and years of experience working on European vehicles, including your Audi, Jaguar, Maserati, Porsche, Volvo, BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes, and Volkswagen.

We are located in Modesto, CA, and also provide drivers in Manteca, Oakdale, Ripon, and Turlock with top-notch services. If your Audi is due for routine maintenance or requires repairs, do not hesitate to call or visit our shop to get quality service. We look forward to winning your repeat business.