Month: April 2025

Ever cruising down the highway when suddenly your steering wheel begins to shake? Well here are a few possibilites:

🔧 1. Tire Issues: The #1 Culprit

If your wheel shakes—especially at certain speeds—the first thing to check is your tires.

Common causes:

• Imbalanced tires: Small weight differences can cause vibration at highway speeds.
• Uneven tire wear: Caused by poor alignment or underinflation.
• Bent rims: From potholes or curbs.

🛠️ Fix it: Visit a tire shop for balancing or alignment. If a rim is bent, it may need replacing.

🛣️ 2. Alignment Problems

Your car’s wheels should point straight and be in sync. If they’re not? Cue the shake.

Signs of bad alignment:

• Pulling to one side
• Uneven tire wear
• Shaky steering, especially at higher speeds

🛠️ Fix it: Get a professional wheel alignment—it’s usually quick and affordable.

🛑 3. Brake Troubles

If the shaking happens when you’re braking, it could be your rotors.

Possible issues:

• Warped brake rotors
• Worn-out brake pads
• Stuck calipers

🛠️ Fix it: A mechanic can resurface or replace your rotors. Don’t ignore brake-related shakes—they’re a safety issue.

⚙️ 4. Suspension or Steering System Issues

Less common, but more serious: your suspension or steering components might be worn or loose.

Symptoms:

• Shaking at all speeds
• Clunking noises over bumps
• Loose or “wandering” steering feel

🛠️ Fix it: This one needs a professional diagnosis. Worn ball joints, tie rods, or struts can all be culprits.

If this is not the only issue you have been having in terms of driving you should either contact a handyman, or assess your driving needs with a driving school. Driving schools are an overlooked resource as they can help you stay safe in an activity that you most likely do everyday, in ways such as DUI/Risk-Reduction, Driver’s Education, or Etc. Like always, we hope you have a great day! Stay safe on the roads!

During the month of spring, there are many great festivities and moments to see nature bloom, but that can sometimes mean negative things for our roads. Here are a few:

🛣️ 1. Watch Out for Potholes

• Snow, ice, and salt leave behind nasty potholes that can wreck your suspension or blow a tire.
• Tip: Don’t swerve to avoid them suddenly—slow down if you see one coming, and keep your tires properly inflated to minimize damage.

🌧️ 2. Rain!

• Spring showers = slick roads and low visibility.
• Hydroplaning is a real risk, especially when rain first starts falling.
• Tip: Slow down, keep your distance, and make sure your wiper blades are in good shape.

🐰 3. Watch for Wildlife

• Spring = active animal season.
• Deer, raccoons, and other critters are on the move, especially in the early morning and evening.
• Tip: Be extra cautious in wooded areas and watch for glowing eyes at night.

🌼 4. Allergies? Keep ‘Em Out of the Car

• Pollen season can hit hard—especially for allergy sufferers.
• Tip: Change your cabin air filter and keep windows up when driving through high-pollen areas.

If you have any other questions about driving, feel free to contact A-1 Driving Schools. Our Driver’s Education program is designed for the students, and questions are always welcomed in class! Have a safe spring!

On January 26, 2025, Tom Welling, best known for his role as Clark Kent in Smallville, was arrested in Yreka, California, on suspicion of driving under the influence. The arrest occurred shortly after midnight in the parking lot of an Arby’s. Welling, 47, was booked into the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office around 2 a.m. and released several hours later. His blood alcohol concentration was reported to be at or above the legal limit of 0.08%. ​

Arrests like these can show us that anything is possible. Celebrities maintain a life in the spotlife and their decisions are made public very fast just like this case. A poor lack of judgement, even if it doesn’t happen very often, can be life-threatening to you or other people. To reduce the risk of a DUI if you have been drinking call a friend or an Uber, because they’d much rather pick you up than have you arrested or even worse injured. If you or a loved one are facing charges for a DUI(DUI/Risk-Reduction Course), make sure to go to a certified driving school as your safety is our top priority.

Replacing a tire may seem daunting, but it is accomplishable as long as you follow these 9 steps!

🧰 What You’ll Need

Most cars come with the basics, but double-check you’ve got:

• Spare tire (fully inflated)

• Car jack

• Lug wrench (aka tire iron)

• Wheel wedges or heavy rocks (to stop rolling)

• Flashlight (if it’s dark)

• Gloves & a kneeling pad (optional but nice)

🔧 Step-by-Step: Changing the Tire

1. Apply Wheel Wedges

Place them behind the tires opposite the flat one to keep the car from rolling.

2. Remove the Hubcap (If Applicable)

Use a flathead screwdriver or the back of the lug wrench to pry it off gently.

3. Loosen the Lug Nuts

• Use the lug wrench to turn the nuts counterclockwise.

• Don’t take them off yet—just break the resistance.

• Pro tip: Stand on the wrench arm if they’re really stuck.

4. Position the Jack and Lift the Car

• Find your car’s jack point (check the owner’s manual—usually near the flat tire).

• Crank the jack until the flat tire is about 6 inches off the ground.

5. Remove the Lug Nuts and the Flat Tire

• Now take the nuts all the way off and keep them somewhere safe (like inside the hubcap).

• Pull the flat tire straight toward you and set it aside.

6. Mount the Spare Tire

• Line up the holes with the lug bolts and push it on.

• Hand-tighten the lug nuts.

7. Lower the Car

• Use the jack to carefully lower the car until the spare just touches the ground.

• Now tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern (opposite sides) to make sure it’s even.

8. Fully Lower the Car & Finish Tightening

• Bring the car all the way down, remove the jack, and double-check that all lug nuts are tight.

9. Replace the Hubcap (If It Fits)

Some spares don’t allow room for it, and that’s fine.

And as always make sure before you hit the road you or a driving school, have informed yourself about how to safely and properly drive. If you feel concerned about your ability to drive and if it’s up to par, take driving lessons or a driver’s education course!

But I thought break fluid was fake… well then what is it? Well believe it or not, you’re not alone and this is a frequently asked question. Here’s exactly what it is incase you don’t already know.

🔧 What Brake Fluid Does:

• Transfers Force: When you press the brake pedal, brake fluid transmits that force from your foot to the brakes at each wheel.

• Hydraulic System: Brake systems use hydraulics, meaning they rely on non-compressible fluid to multiply force and apply the brakes.

• Heat Resistance: It’s specially designed to withstand the high temperatures generated during braking without boiling.

⚠️ What Happens If You Don’t Have It:

• Spongy Brake Pedal: Low or old fluid can make your pedal feel soft or unresponsive.

• Brake Failure: In extreme cases, especially if there’s air or moisture in the lines, you could lose braking ability completely.

• Corrosion: Old brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which can corrode brake parts.

If you have anymore questions or just want to expand going to a certified driving school is always helpful. Driver’s Education programs can help you develop and hone your driving skills, and teachers will always be willing to answer your questions! Stay safe while on the road!