What’s a CV Joint?

Vehicles have thousands of parts and a lot of those are described by jargon or abbreviations. Let’s look at a CV joint, what it does, and what happens if it fails.

A constant velocity or CV joint is found in most front wheel drive vehicles, many all-wheel drive vehicles, and occasionally, in rear-wheel drives. The joint’s purpose is to transmit power from the transmission during a wide range of angles, all with minimal friction.  The CV shaft has joints on either end; these allow the vehicle to drive while giving the suspension the flexibility to navigate over bumps or potholes.

The CV joints are filled with a specialized grease, sealed within the joint. That seal is the weak point for CV shafts. If the car or truck has a lot of miles on it, the joint, also known as the CV boot, can become weak. If it tears, grease seeps out of the joint and dirt and contaminants can get into it.

If a CV joint has torn, you’ll hear a loud clicking noise when turning the vehicle and accelerating slowly. Having the CV joint inspected should be part of a scheduled inspection and maintenance visit, to make sure the boot is not cracking or leaking grease.

Many vehicles on the road will never need a CV joint replacement. It’s not a part that commonly has issues but a badly-worn outer joint can even break apart while driving. For questions about service on your Dodge, Ram, Fiat or any make or model of vehicle, see the ASE certified mechanics at the Melloy Dodge Service Department. Our website also offers coupons for many service issues to save you some money on car maintenance.

How Heat Affects Tire Pressure

Here in central New Mexico, we’ve had a long, hot summer. That heat affects your tire pressure, and as the weather begins to cool, your tire pressure may change. Many Dodge and Ram models today have tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) so you may even get a notification while you’re driving.

When the outside temperature is high, the air in your tires expands to take up more volume; likewise, when it’s cold outside, the air takes up less volume. That change, especially if it’s a rapid change in the temperature, can make the computer in your car assume that the tire pressure is low.

In general, for every 10 degree change in the outdoor temperature, tires can gain or lose 1 PSI (pound per square inch). So in the Albuquerque area, we often get temperature swings of 30 degrees or more, from the cool morning temp to the hot afternoon temperature. Tires are made to handle that swing.

Most tires require 30 to 35 PSI for passenger cars, more for large trucks. Always follow the recommendations for your vehicle, found in your owner’s manual.

Keeping tires properly inflated is key to safe and fuel efficient driving. If your tires are underinflated, not only will your fuel efficiency be affected, the vehicle may not handle well.

For new tires for your car or truck, for tire repair, to rotate your tires, or to see if your TPMS system is working properly, see the service professionals at MelloyDodge’s service department. Our Express Lane offers no-appointment service for basic items.

Back to School in New Mexico

August begins the new school year across the school districts in New Mexico. It’s a good time to review safety tips and to highlight the family-friendly SUV, the Dodge Durango.

Drivers will need to be prepared for flashing school zone lights, indicating a 20 mph school zone. Some districts may still have crossing guards, so be on alert for orange vests worn by the guards and the stop signs they carry that indicate vehicles must stop for students to cross.

School buses stop at designated bus stops only to allow students to get on or off the bus. 

As a driver of any motorized vehicle, you must stop for a school bus that has stopped and has flashing red lights, whether it is on your side of the road, the opposite side of the road, or at an intersection that you are approaching.

If the bus is traveling towards you AND the roadway is separated by a median or other physical barrier, you are not required to stop. After the school bus driver has turned off the flashing red lights, watch for children along the roadway. Do not proceed until all children have completely left the roadway and it is safe to move your vehicle.

For space for your kids, their backpacks, sports equipment and other things needed by a busy family, consider the 2022 Dodge Durango. Available 3rd-row seating allows up to 50 configurations and with more than 85 cubic feet of cargo space, there’s plenty of room for all the stuff that life brings.

Three engine options are available, including a best-in-class V8 engine. Durangos can also be used for towing (always follow the owner’s manual recommendations), so the Dodge Durango can also help your family on getaway camping weekends.

For a large selection of Dodge Durangos in New Mexico and across the Southwest, visit Melloy Dodge in Albuquerque or shop online. All Dodge and Ram vehicles can be ordered online and we’ll even deliver. And as school gets started across New Mexico, be a safe and courteous driver on the roads and especially in school zones.