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Gladstone, OR Honda Service: The Basics of Alignment Checks

Does your 2019 Honda Accord rattle when you hit higher speeds? Does your steering wheel vibrate? These are just a couple signs that your car may need an alignment check. Often technicians examine your alignment during or after every oil change, but you never know when your vehicle’s tires will become dislodged. If it’s been a while since your last alignment check, consider scheduling an appointment at our Honda service center in Gladstone, OR. Alignment Check Warning Signs Your car is designed to distribute weight equally across all four tires regardless of road conditions. Over time, however, your vehicle loses some of its balance and may start shifting its weight to one side, which can cause uneven tire wear. Signs that point towards an alignment check include worn-out new tires, a continually crooked or loose steering wheel, or unusual vibrations inside your car. Why Should I Get an Alignment Check at Swickard Honda? Not only can uneven wear reduce the lifespan of your tires, but it can also damage various parts of your suspension. Your tie rods, ball joints, and steering bushing may all be affected by an improperly aligned car. Extra pressure on these components can cause them to buckle under pressure, which can lead to accidents and serious repairs down the line. Our alignment checks at Swickard Honda only take an hour to complete, whereas a more significant repair, like a broken tie rod, can take much longer. Is it time for your annual alignment check? Do you have concerns about how your Honda vehicle is driving? Schedule a Honda service appointment online or by visiting Swickard Honda in Gladstone, OR. We hope to see you at our dealership soon!

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How to Tell the Difference Between Electric and Hybrid Honda Cars

At Swickard Honda, we’ve seen lots of drivers who want to make the switch to more efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles, like the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid. However, many wonder how to tell the difference between electric and hybrid cars. We thought we’d take a few minutes today to go through the key differences when comparing electric and hybrid cars. How Do Electric and Hybrid Cars Work? As the name implies, an electric car is just that—electric. It does not run on gasoline, which means you’ll need to charge the vehicle by plugging it in, though some electric cars also utilize regenerative braking technology. This helps recycle energy by generating electricity to charge the car during the braking process. A hybrid vehicle, on the other hand, uses a combination of an electric motor and a conventional gasoline engine. Some hybrids are plug-in, and some receive power by way of regenerative braking and the use of the gas engine to recharge the battery pack. Which Option is Better for Me? If you’re trying to decide whether an electric or hybrid car is better for you, first consider your driving habits. Hybrid vehicles will have a smaller electric battery than fully electric vehicles, so you won’t be able to travel as far on a single charge, but you’ll have the versatility to go further thanks to the combustion engine. A hybrid vehicle can be an excellent choice for people who often commute short distances during the week, but still want the option to drive longer distances on the weekends. Honda Electric and Hybrid Vehicles At Swickard Honda, you’ll find a variety of new 2020 Honda models that provide all the features you love with the extra efficiency of a hybrid or electric engine. Some eco-friendly models we carry include: Honda Accord Hybrid Honda Insight Honda CR-V Hybrid Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid To learn more about our new 2020 Honda models or to ask further questions about the difference between electric and hybrid cars, contact Swickard Honda today!

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What’s the Difference Between a Service Center and a Collision Center?

Running a quick Google search for automotive service centers near Portland yields a whole lot of results, not only for service centers, but for automotive collision centers as well. You may be wondering what the difference is between a Honda service center and a collision center, and if both places can perform the same services. Our Honda Service Center At Swickard Honda, we have a comprehensive Honda service center at our Gladstone facility, perfect for routine maintenance and minor automotive repairs. We also offer a Honda parts center for OEM parts and accessories. You can visit Swickard Honda for services like: Oil and filter changes Front-end alignments Brake replacements Coolant flushes Electrical services Transmission flushes Service packages Windshield wiper and lightbulb replacements While this isn’t an exhaustive list of our services, our Swickard Honda service center is geared towards regular maintenance. What is a Collision Center? Collision centers (also sometimes referred to as auto body shops) are where you would have your car towed to repair body damage after an accident that did not result in the vehicle being totaled. You would also go to a collision center for other major services like paint jobs, dent removal, glass replacements, and more. Collision centers are staffed with technicians skilled in disassembly, structure repair, painting, reassembly, and detailing. A good collision center will have your car looking like new again, even if it suffered extensive damage. Schedule Service for Your Honda Today If you’re not sure what type of work your vehicle needs, give us a call here at Swickard Honda and or stop by to chat with one of our technicians. We’re always happy to review your situation and provide a recommendation or an estimate, so don’t hesitate to reach out.