The way your vehicle handles is more important than any other feature on the car. Handling determines how you maneuver on the road, and the handling helps you drive defensively. A car that is out of control will not perform very well, and you may be in danger of crashing your car when you are not able to control where the car goes. You must take you car in for repairs when you have problems with the handling, but you must understand where the handling problems come from.

The steering wheel is attached directly to the steering rack, but the signals you send from the wheel may not make it to the rack. The rods that connect the wheel to the rack must be in good condition, and bent or broken rods will cause the handling to suffer. You can feel a problem with the tie rods when you turn the wheel only to get a delayed response.

The steering rack give little or no response when you turn the wheel, and you feel the lack of response everywhere you go. The wheel turns easily, but you know the car is not turning at the rate you have chosen. A steering rack can be bent or broken during a crash involving the front of your car, and you must have the rack checked even after the most minor accident.

#3: The Power Steering System

The power steering system is run by a hydraulic fluid that runs through the system to help turn the wheel. You will notice a problem with the system when the wheel is hard to turn. You may not notice a major problem, but turning the steering wheel in your car should not be difficult at all. The power steering fluid should be replaced if it has run out, or you may need repairs when you notice fluid dripping from your car.

A car without proper power steering is extremely difficult to drive, and you cannot make quick decisions on the road. You are putting yourself and your passengers in danger when you get on a busy road in a car that has an unresponsive steering wheel.

#4: The Suspension

The suspension on your vehicle will make steering difficult if you are bouncing on the road. A firm suspension will help keep your car from moving around when it hits bumps in the road, and you must take your car in for service when you notice the bumps on the road become more severe. You cannot turn the steering wheel with any effect if your car is bouncing around the road, and you could change lanes without any warning if the suspension is loose enough.

#5: Regular Service

There are regular maintenance services that will help keep your car in the best condition possible, but these repairs can get expensive if you keep putting them off. You may avoid certain repair services because they cost a good bit of money, but the services only occur every two or three years in a modern car. You must consult with a local Raleigh mechanic about the services that are coming due on your vehicle, and you may find a discounted service plan that will help you keep the car running for years to come.

The power steering flush, suspension replacement and steering services must be completed according to the schedule suggested by the manufacturer. There is a schedule listed in your user manual, and you can follow the schedule based on the mileage you have. Your mechanic may ask you to do the services sooner based on the wear you have put on the car, and you must take the advice of your mechanic when the vehicle has been through several thousand smiles of hard driving.

#6: Practice Responsible Driving

You must drive your car as responsibly as you can. Each mile you put on your car cuts into the life of your car, and the steering will begin to wear down over the years. A mechanic can see if you drive your car with any care or not, and you must ask your mechanic how you can cut back on rough driving. You cannot avoid rough roads, but you can be gentle with the car when you are on smooth roads.

The six items above will help you manage the manner in which you drive your vehicle now and in the future. Your car’s handling will suffer without proper care, and you are in a dangerous situation if the steering wheel does not respond to you. Use your instincts when you are on the road, read through this list carefully and contact a mechanic when you notice trouble with your car’s handling. The handling keeps you on the road, and your driving skill cannot counteract damage that has not be attended to on your vehicle.