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At Virginia Select Auto, our team tries to keep our Amherst consumers informed about their vehicles and how they function. Oversteer and understeer are two terms that are related to your vehicle's dynamics. Oversteer happens when your vehicle turns more than you want, and understeer happens when your vehicle turns less than what you want.

Vehicles that have front-wheel drive typically experience understeer, and rear-wheel drive vehicles usually experience oversteer. However, both drive systems can experience oversteer and understeer under the right circumstances.

 

 

When you're wondering if you need winter tires for driving in Amherst, the team at Virginia Select Auto will be ready to answer any of your questions. Having two sets of tires for your car or truck, one for slick winter conditions and one for warm and dry summer conditions, can improve the driving performance of your car.

All-weather tires are designed to work well in many conditions ranging from hot and sunny to wintery. When you need extra traction for driving in deep winter conditions, the softer rubber and deeper tread on winter tires will help you 

An important component of your car is the tire. If you have a blowout or if there are issues with your tires, then you usually won't be able to drive safely on the road until the issue is fixed. Fortunately, there are a few signs that indicate that your tires need to be replaced.

Low air pressure isn't normal unless there is a change in the temperatures. This could mean that there is something in your tire resulting in the pressure to drop. Another sign is uneven wear and tear. There are a few different reasons as to…

One of the main advantages to driving a truck is the ability to carry a lot of cargo in the bed. The issue of security comes up, though, especially if you often leave your truck unattended.

If you want to prevent others from seeing what you have in the bed, you can get a tonneau cover. This can either be a one-piece product or one that comes in multiple pieces that can fold together. Some of these covers can lock, and all of them can protect your cargo from the elements. One of the downsides, though, is that they affect…

We here at Virginia Select Auto of Amherst want to be sure you are informed about your vehicles suspension.

The most common explanation of what the suspension of a vehicle does is that it keeps you from feeling every little bump and pothole in the road. A suspension allows you to enjoy a smooth ride in the cabin of the car even on the worst road conditions. A lesser known use of a car suspension is to help your car handle better. Cars with aging suspensions typically handle far worse and are harder to control than newer cars with upgraded…

If your car is pulling to one side when you're trying to drive in a straight line, or it is vibrating at high speeds, it might be suffering from an alignment issue. A vehicle with proper alignment will have all four wheels pointing in the proper direction.

Hitting potholes, curbs, or other obstacles can knock wheels out of alignment and cause a variety of problems, such as uneven tire wear and poor gas mileage. Getting your alignment checked whenever you get an oil change can help you find small problems before they grow into something serious and expensive to…

Towing a load behind your truck or SUV is a simple process if you follow a few basic guidelines. Don't leave for a fun weekend at the lake or mountain campsite without ensuring both your vehicle and trailer are capable of carrying their load.

Never exceed the suggested weight limit your vehicle is able to tow. You'll need to factor in the weight of everything else you're bringing, including passengers, along with the weight of the item you wish to tow. Don't leave without first checking that electricity is powering your trailer's turn signals and…

A tire blowout may seem to happen without warning. However, there are many signs that your tires are worn or otherwise not suitable to be on the road. For instance, if you see cracks between the tread and the sidewall, you should replace the tires as soon as possible.

This is called dry rot and occurs when a car sits for long periods of time. Other signs that your tires should be replaced include a lack of tread or bubbling on the tire's surface. Tires that have been on your vehicle for many years may also need to be…

?When you shop for a new vehicle there is a lot to consider. Your first impression is often based off of the exterior of a vehicle. From there you look at the interior. Reading the specs can provide you with valuable information about what is under the hood. When it comes to protecting the investment you are making, make sure that you question what kind of warranties your potential new vehicle would come with. Two very commonly provided warranties include a powertrain warranty and a bumper to bumper warranty.

A powertrain warranty covers all of the different power-related items under…

When you perform a car battery test, knowing obvious warning signs can be one of the best ways for you to know when it is time to take the vehicle in for more serious repairs.

Always begin the testing with the appropriate safety steps. Read the instructions carefully and set the right connectors with their corresponding terminals. Watch how your battery reacts, as an older, less effective battery will not be able to hold a charge as easily as a newer one. These batteries are also unable to produce sufficient cranking amps, which means that it is not working to…