Check Engine Light Diagnosis At Fulton Automotive In Sumter
Apr 29th, 2019
Check

Many Sumter drivers have had their Check Engine light come on. It’s an amber colored light that shows on your dashboard. In newer vehicles, it might just be a problem with your gas cap not being screwed on tight enough (or a worn gas cap), causing the vehicle to fail the self-diagnostic evaporative emission test. All you need to do is go to your gas cap and verify that it is tight. If that was the problem, the light will turn off and everything will be fine within one or two days.

Resist the temptation to have someone “clear” the codes to turn off your vehicle check engine light. This erases important diagnostic information that your friendly and knowledgeable Fulton Automotive technician needs to diagnose the underlying problem for the Check Engine light – and any other pending problems that may be stored in the vehicle computer.

If the problem is still there — you still see the light — bring your vehicle in to Fulton Automotive in Sumter and have your Check Engine light checked out as soon as possible.

Give us a call.

Fulton Automotive
801 E Liberty
Sumter, SC 29153

Simple Answers from Fulton Automotive: Alignment
Dec 14th, 2018

Question:
How do I know when I need a wheel alignment?
Fulton Automotive Answer:
When Sumter drivers’ wheels are properly aligned they all point in the same direction. When they are out of alignment, most SC drivers notice a couple of things. First the vehicle pulls to one side when driving. It could be slight or pretty severe. If your wheels have been out of alignment for a while, you’ll also start to see uneven tire wear – the shoulder on either the outside or inside of the tire is worn down more than the other.

A whole bunch of steering and suspension components are joined together. Everyday Sumter driving can cause Sumter drivers’ wheels to go out of alignment over time just from the joints loosening up. That’s why most recommend an alignment check every couple of years. Depending on where you live in SC or the conditions you drive in (off-road driving, harsh Sumter winter conditions, poor pavement, etc.), an alignment inspection every year at Fulton Automotive may be called for.

Suspension and steering components wear over time as well, which can lead to and alignment issues for Sumter drivers. Of course, a big bump, like hitting a curb or pothole, can knock a wheel out of alignment or damage a steering or suspension part.

Your friendly and knowledgeable Fulton Automotive service advisor will check your tires for uneven wear. The type of wear provides clues for what might be wrong. Undercar parts are inspected for wear and damage. The alignment machine will provide a reading of how each wheel is aligned. The reading is compared with the alignment settings recommended by the manufacturer, and then the technician makes the necessary adjustments and repairs to bring your wheels back into alignment.

Now putting off a wheel alignment in Sumter can get dangerous because of tire wear: a bad alignment can chew through a tire pretty quickly. If you see uneven tire wear, if your steering wheel is off center or your vehicle pulls to one side, ask your friendly and knowledgeable Fulton Automotive service advisor about getting an alignment check.

Fulton Automotive
801 E Liberty
Sumter, SC 29153
803.775.6378
http://serviceassistant.autonettv.com

Safe Driving in SC: Eliminating Food Distractions
Nov 24th, 2018
Hello Sumter! So what’s the most distracting food in the car? Is it:

(A) A Hamburger
(B) Coffee
(C) A Soft Drink
(D) Twizzlers
Well, all but the licorice make the top ten, but coffee’s the number one food distraction. These distractions cause 25% of all car crashes, over a million and a half each year.

All the top ten distracting food items are messy. Sumter motorists might spill, then try to clean up. If you’ve got to eat on the run, take five, then drive. And keep drinks in spill-proof containers. So taking a food break… Or filling out accident reports. It’s a no brainer.

We want Sumter drivers to keep their eyes, and their minds, on the road.

Give us a call.

Fulton Automotive
801 E Liberty
Sumter, SC 29153
803.775.6378