January « 2010 « Brake Buddy's Auto Repair & Maintenance Blog

Archive for January, 2010

Know Your Vehicle’s Maintenance Schedule

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Find your vehicle’s official manufacturer’s maintenance schedule online.

Properly maintaining your vehicle is absolutely key to avoiding costly repairs and to increasing your vehicle’s lifespan.

While advice from friends and family can be helpful when it comes to how best maintain your car, the best advice comes directly from the manufacturer. Your vehicle should come with an owner’s manual that includes exactly what maintenance needs to take place and exactly how often it needs to occur.

Following the information published in your owner’s manual is the best way to keep your car in top shape. However, if you’ve lost it, or simply prefer an online version, many manufacturers publish maintenance schedules online.

Here are some maintenance guides from many of the major manufacturers:

Toyota – http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/

Ford – http://www.ford.com/owner-services/maintaining-vehicle

Honda – https://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/SEO/HondaMaintenance.asp

GM – http://www.goodwrench.com/Services/SimplifyMaintenance.jsp

Chrysler – http://www.chrysler.com/en/owners/

Nissan – http://www.nissanusa.com/owning/vehicle-care/maintenance.html

Volkswagen – http://www.vw.com/myvw/yourcar/maintenance/findschedules/en/us/

Find your car’s maintenance guide to see if you need a Phoenix car tune up or a Tucson brake check.

Tags: Maintenance Schedule, Manufacturer's Maintenance, Phoenix Car Tune Up, Tucson Brake Check
Posted in Car Repair | 1 Comment »

Do You Need a New Serpentine Belt?

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

What serpentine belts are and how to stop yours from breaking.

Most people are well aware that they will need an Albuquerque timing belt replacement every so often but are far less aware of the role a serpentine belt plays in their car.

First used on the Ford Mustang in 1979, a serpentine belt operates multiple secondary parts within the engine including the air, water, and power steering pumps, the alternator, and the A/C compressor. It took the place of a number of smaller belts used in older vehicles.

While this innovation has been used in most new cars, it is not without its drawbacks. If the serpentine belt breaks, all of the important parts that it powers will no longer operate until it is replaced. This is contrasted to older cars that were still able to operate the majority of their parts if only one belt broke.

To make sure that your serpentine belt doesn’t break, you should have it checked during your next El Paso car tune up.

The serpentine belt will generally show significant signs of wear before actually breaking, so you can also check your own belt regularly during normal maintenance.

Look for small rips and tears, or even small chunks that have fallen off the belt. Additionally you can listen for excess noise that may signal a problem with the belt.

To get optimal performance from your serpentine belt, replace it every 30,000 to 60,000 miles or consult with your owner’s manual.

Tags: Albuquerque Timing Belt Replacement, El Paso Car Tune Up, Serpentine Belt
Posted in Car Repair | Comments Off

Stuff The Bus For Haiti

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Come out to the Brake Masters on 22^ndSt. and Kolb Rd. in Tucson, AZ, on January 22^nd and help us as we collect donations for Haiti earthquake victims.

We are working with Journal Broadcast Group and SunTran to help raise awareness and collect donations for the earthquake victims in Haiti.

This Friday, January 22^nd from 5am-6pm there will be a SunTran bus outside of our 22^nd St. and Kolb Rd. location in Tucson, AZ. Our goal is to stuff the entire bus with donations of non-perishable food, clothes, and money for victims of the earthquake in Haiti. We need your help, so please bring any of the items listed above to our store located at:

7085 E 22ND St
22nd St. & Kolb Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85710

Click here for a map of this location

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow as we “Stuff The Bus” for Haiti!

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

What To Do If Your Brakes Squeal, Whine, Or Clunk

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Are your brakes squealing, whining, clunking, or otherwise causing strange noises?

While these sounds can be quite annoying, they work as an excellent warning system that there is something that needs to be fixed immediately before more serious problems occur.

You have a few options if your brakes start to make noise.

Get Albuquerque brake repair – Strange noises are a sign that you need your brakes to be fixed. Don’t let the thought of expensive repairs scare you, as many times an inexpensive and simple repair is all you need.

Check the problem yourself – If you are skilled with a wrench then it’s possible to fix minor problems yourself. Remove the tire and inspect each brake for issues including:

Worn brake pads – If your pads are too warn from excessive use they will need to be replace. You can attempt to do this yourself or get professional El Paso brake repair.

Loose nuts and bolts – Often times a problem might be caused by just a few loose nuts and bolts. If you locate anything that seems loose, tighten it and your problem may disappear.

Other problems – Inspect the brake lines and disks for anything that seems damaged or out of the ordinary.

Never let your brakes go unchecked when they start to make weird noises. When in doubt, consult a brake expert that has seen every issue and can fix your brakes quickly and affordably.

Tags: Albuquerque Brake Repair, El Paso Brake Repair, Squealing Brakes, Vibrating Brakes, Worn Brake Pads
Posted in Brake Repair Tips | 5 Comments »

What To Look For If Your Auto Air Conditioning Is Broken

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

How to diagnose a broken auto air conditioner. And what to do about it.

During the sweltering summer months, a broken car air conditioner can make driving your vehicle practically unbearable. If your A/C stops working correctly, your best bet is to go to a Las Cruces auto air conditioning repair facility. However, for those with a little technical know-how, there are some things you can check on your own.

An auto air conditioner is essentially a strange refrigerator that uses refrigerant to move heat from inside of your vehicle to outside. It’s important to note that putting refrigerant into your system if it’s leaking or otherwise releasing refrigerant into the atmosphere is illegal in the United States.

A low level of refrigerant is one common problem in many auto air conditioners. If your air conditioner cools very slightly than it might be because the pressure in the system is too low. If this is the case, simply fill the refrigerant back to normal levels.

Check for leaks in the system that may cause your refrigerant to completely leak out. To do this you can buy a fluorescent dye from any auto parts store and run it through your system. This will allow you to find exactly where and how large the leak is.

Check the compressor while your engine is running. The compressor is a pump with large rubber and steel hoses attached to it. It is responsible for circulating refrigerant through the system. If you’re A/C is running but the pulley on the compressor is not working, you have located the source of your problem.

Other potential issues with your A/C unit can include broken wires, burnt out fuses, bad switches, and worn out fan belts. Check over all parts of the system to search for parts that look worn or broken.

Please only attempt to work on your car air conditioner if you understand exactly what you are doing as you can cause damage to yourself and your vehicle if things are done wrong. If you need help, find a Santa Fe auto air conditioning repair facility near you.

Tags: Auto Refrigerant, Car Air Conditioner, Las Cruces Auto Air Conditioning Repair, Santa Fe Auto Air Conditioning Repair
Posted in Auto Air Conditioning | Comments Off

Why You Need To Flush Your Vehicle’s Fluids

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Fluid flushes are an essential part of properly maintaining your vehicle.

Between your Phoenix transmission flush, your brake fluid flush, and your power steering flush, it seems like vehicles are constantly in need of a fluid flush of some sort. For many people who are told they need a fluid flush, it seems as though you car is constantly thirsty for fluid or maybe that your mechanic is just making things up!

Of course, fluid flushes are real and a very important part of properly maintaining your car. The fluids used in your vehicle are vital for keeping your car on the road and fully functioning for years to come

Like an oil change which replaces old oil that has collected soot and metallic particles that can cause damage to the engine, fluid flushes involve removing the old and dirty fluids and replacing them with fresh fluid.

The fluids in your vehicle all have a different lifespan so you will need to consult your owner’s manual or a certified mechanic for more details on when you will need to change yours.

If you need a Tucson transmission flush or any other fluid flush, don’t hold off, take care of it right away or risk damage to your vehicle.

Tags: Brake Fluid Flush, Phoenix Transmission Flush, Power Steering Fluid Flush, Tucson Transmission Flush
Posted in Car Fluids Info, Car Lubricant Info | Comments Off

What’s Involved In A Brake Inspection?

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

The steps involved in a proper brake inspection. Learn common problem areas to look for on your brakes.

Getting a Las Cruces brake check (also called a brake inspection), is vital to ensuring the continued safety of yourself and your vehicle. But what’s involved in a brake inspection?

While different cars have different brake systems, here’s a general idea of what is involved in a brake inspection.

Check the disks – disks are vital to stopping the movement on the wheel when pressure is applied to the brakes. Each disk should be checked for rough spots or signs of damage. Ideally you want each brake to be shiny with relatively little sign of wear. Disks that are found to be damaged should be replaced immediately.

Inspect brake pads – At the top of each brake disk there are pads that work with the disks to stop the vehicle. Over time these wear away and need to be replaced. During a brake inspection, pads with less than 1/8” left should be replaced. Fortunately, brake pads are inexpensive and a quick fix.

Examine brake lines – Over time brake lines can become cracked, corroded, and rigid. During every brake check, rubber lines should be looked over and checked to ensure they are still soft and rubbery instead of hard or cracked. Also check the hard metal brake lines for signs of cracking or corrosion.

By getting a Santa Fe brake check regularly, you can rest easy knowing that your brakes are ready to stop your vehicle at a moment’s notice.

Tags: Brake Inspection, Disk Brakes, Las Cruces Brake Check, Santa Fe Brake Check
Posted in Brake Repair Tips | 2 Comments »

Why Oil Changes Are Important

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

Why you should not wait to get your next oil change.

We get asked a lot why oil changes are important. With pressure to save money, many people wonder if they can get away with waiting for months after their scheduled oil change before replacing their oil.

If you want to save money by not getting your Phoenix oil change then think again. The fact is, oil changes are one of the most important things you can do to keep your car working for longer. Sure avoiding an oil change can save you a few dollars in the short run, but those savings are nothing compared to the massive repairs your car will need without regular oil changes.

Your motor oil is essential to keeping the moving parts in your engine properly lubricated and functioning properly. Without it, the engine parts will grind together resulting in decreased efficiency as well as damaged parts over time due to friction.

Because motor oil is flowing through your engine, over time is picks up metallic particles and soot from the engine. If not replaced regularly, these particles will start to grind against the moving parts of your engine leading to the wearing down of essential parts.

Don’t skimp out on your next Tucson oil change, do things the right way and keep your vehicle running for longer.

Tags: Motor Oil, Phoenix Oil Change, Tuscon Oil Change
Posted in Oil Change Tips | Comments Off

Common Warning Signs That You Need Brake Repair

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Look out for these common warning signs that your vehicle needs brake repair.

Having your brakes fail while driving can be an incredibly frightening experience to anyone who has to go through it. If you don’t want this to happen to you, here are some common warning signs that your brakes need to be repaired.

Brake pedal goes down further than normal – The pedal going down farther than normal is a common problem in vehicles with brake problems. This could be due to brake fluid being low or contaminated worn brake pads, or a broken brake power booster.

Brake pedal is difficult to press down – If your brake pedal is firmer than normal, you are likely facing a serious problem that requires immediate Albuquerque brake repair. Likely causes of firm brakes are a broken or pinched brake line, or a vacuum problem in your brake power booster.

Brake pedal has no pressure – Without pressure, your brake will hit the floor when you press it. This could be due to air in the brake fluid, very low amounts of brake fluid, or a broken master cylinder.

Brakes are unsmooth and grab at the road – Your brakes should smoothly bring you to a stop. If your brakes are grabbing or pulling than you might have bad brake pads or a broken brake disk.

Brakes squeal or whine – Whiney or squealing brakes are often the result of worn brake pads or vibrating brake pads. This is usually a quick and easy fix for any trained mechanic.

Brakes make a clunking sound – clunking brakes are common if nuts or bolts are loose in your brakes or suspension. Worn or broken suspension parts may also be to blame for clunking.

It’s vital that your brakes work perfectly at all times, if you notice any of the problems above or anything else seems out of the ordinary, get an El Paso brake check right away.

Tags: Clunking Brakes, Firm Brake Pedal, Loose Brake Pedal, Squealing Brakes, Whining Brakes
Posted in Brake Repair Tips | Comments Off