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

Archive for July, 2010

Maintenance Tips Every New Car Owner Needs To Know

Friday, July 30th, 2010

So you opted to replace your old vehicle with a new one. Who can blame you – new tires, new brakes, that new-car smell, and best of all … no repair headaches.

Whether you purchased a brand-new car or a used one, here are a few things you should be doing so you don’t encounter any major problems down the road.

Every Three Months

Every three months, be sure to check your fluids. You should also change your oil every 3,000 – 5,000 miles. Three-month fluid inspection should include:

Oil
Brake fluid
Power steering fluid
Window washer fluid

Also, be sure to check the coolant. Your coolant should be about 50 percent antifreeze and 50 percent water. If you’re not up to mixing a coolant cocktail, your auto-parts store should sell some pre-mixed coolant.

Every Six Months

At the six-month mark, you should check your battery as well as your tire depth. Without the proper tire depth, you may not be able to make a quick, sudden stop with your vehicle. Be sure to also check if it’s time for another oil change.

Every Year

At year end, you should flush your radiator, which prevents rust and corrosion in the radiator, which can lead to expensive repairs. You will also want to check your:

Spark plugs
Fuel filter
Brake pads
Windshield wipers

If confident enough, some of this you can do on your own, but always have a trusted mechanic on speed-dial should you run into any problems.

Follow these steps and you won’t need Tucson brake repair or Albuquerque brake repair for a long time. The only possible headaches, you’ll be having is from the new-car smell.

Tags: Albuquerque Brake Repair, Tucson brake repair, Vehicle Maintenance
Posted in Car Fluids Info, Car Lubricant Info, Oil Change Tips | Comments Off

5 Signs That You Need Timing Belt Replacement

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

A broken timing belt is an incredibly common and annoying problem that can not only be frustrating, but can also be expensive. Unfortunately, it’s one of the most common reasons for people’s cars breaking down.

Getting Las Cruces timing belt replacement service before it’s too late can save you a lot of money in the long run and can also prevent a lot of hassle. Generally, you’ll want to replace the timing belt every 60,000-100,000 miles. This info can be found in your owner’s manual.

Here are five common signs that you need Santa Fe timing belt replacement:

1. You notice more exhaust coming from your vehicle than normal.

2. Your older (60k+ miles) car is having difficulty starting.

3. Your car begins to shake from engine vibrations.

4. While driving, your car shuts off unexpectedly and has problems restarting.

5. Your mechanic mentions a problem with the timing belt – if you’re doing regular car maintenance (like you should be) your mechanic is trained to check for issues and warn you of problems.

Tags: Las Cruces timing belt replacement, Santa Fe timing belt replacement
Posted in Car Repair | Comments Off

Why Your Auto Technician Must Be ASE Certified

Monday, July 26th, 2010

You’ve probably encountered the ASE logo at some point with your automobile. Look familiar? Ever wonder what it means? It stands for Automotive Service Excellence.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is a non-profit organization that takes the guesswork out of selecting a reputable mechanic. ASE technicians must pass an extensive exam and fulfill a two-year work experience requirement before they can become ASE certified.

ASE Certified technicians often specialize in various areas such as brakes, air conditioning, engine repair, etc.

So why go with an ASE Certified technician?

Because an ASE technician has the proper training to ensure your vehicle gets the necessary service it needs. Also, ASE requires mechanics to undergo a re-test every five years to be re-certified to make sure they’re up to date on the latest technologies. So there’s no car or truck they can’t handle.

ASE provides some good pointers when searching for a mechanic. We ranked what we think should be at the top of the list:

Ask friends and associates for recommendations; consult local consumer organizations.
Look for evidence of qualified technicians: trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work, and certification by ASE.
Ask if the repair facility specializes or if it usually handles your type of repair work.
Look for policies regarding labor rates, diagnostic fees, guarantees, acceptable methods of payment, etc.
Look for a neat, well-organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays.

Using an ASE Certified technician ensures you won’t need a Tucson brake repair or an Albuquerque brake repair for a long time.

Tags: Albuquerque Brake Repair, ASE Certified technician, Automotive Service Excellence, Tucson brake repair
Posted in Brake Repair Tips | Comments Off

How To Tell If You Need A Brake Fluid Flush

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

The other day we wrote a blog about the importance of brake fluid flushes. In it, we mentioned that not having your brake fluid flushed regularly can cause major damage to your brakes and can be very expensive to repair.

Since then, we’ve received a number of questions about just how often your brake fluid needs to be flushed and how to tell when you need to do it.

At Brake Masters, we recommend that you have your brake fluid flushed every 30,000 miles or during your next Phoenix brake check or El Paso brake check.

If you’re not sure when you’re last fluid flush was, there are a few easy ways to check for yourself. Some auto parts stores will sell you test strips that will tell you how high the moisture is in your brake fluid is. If it’s too high, it’s time for a flush.

The other method, which is less precise, but also less expensive, is simply looking at the fluid. Remove the cap from your brake master cylinder and examine your vehicle’s fluid. If it’s black or very dark, it’s time for a change. If it’s clear or has a slightly yellow color, you still have time before your next fluid flush.

Tags: Brake Fluid Flush, El Paso Brake Check, Phoenix Brake Check
Posted in Brake Repair Tips, Car Fluids Info | Comments Off

Are Brake Fluid Flushes Really Necessary?

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Nobody wants to pay for services that they really don’t need. Unfortunately, since some dishonest mechanics have ruined it for everyone else, many people are skeptical about having certain services done.

One of those services is the brake fluid flush. We hear from people all the time about whether the service is actually necessary or if it’s just a way for shops like ours to make more money.

The fact is that brake fluid flushes *are* important and they’ve actually become even more important in recent years.

You see, over time moisture buildup from the brake fluid causes rust and debris that can do a lot of damage to your brake system. As the braking systems within cars have grown increasingly complicated, the risk of damage has grown as well.

By doing a brake fluid flush, your mechanic is emptying out the old fluid that’s filled with damaging substances and adding fresh fluid to keep your brakes running smoothly for years to come.

It’s one of the best ways to make sure you won’t need Tucson brake repair or Albuquerque brake repair for a long time.

Tags: Albuquerque Brake Repair, Brake Fluid Flush, Tucson brake repair
Posted in Brake Repair Tips, Car Fluids Info | Comments Off

Brake Failure Prevents Car Theft

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Just about everyone would agree that brake failure is never a good thing. It can be scary, and potentially cause major damage if the brakes fail while you’re driving.

However, a Pennsylvania car with brake problems turned out to be an unlikely hero in an attempted theft at an auto dealership last month.

The thief, who managed to get away with $450 in cash, attempted to steal a car that was in the process of being serviced for brake problems. When he went to flee the scene, the brakes failed and he crashed the car.

The thief then fled on foot, leaving the car behind. Police are still looking for the criminal but at least the owners get their car back.

It’s not often that brake failure is a good thing but in this case it seems to have worked out for the best.

For once it’s just a good thing the owner didn’t get a Phoenix brake check or Tucson brake repair at Brake Masters!

Tags: Phoenix Brake Check, Tucson brake repair
Posted in Brake Repair Tips | 1 Comment »

The Right Way To Use Your Emergency Brake

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

The use of the emergency brake (also called the parking brake) is a subject of much argument among drivers.

With some people claiming that it should be used all the time, some saying that it should only be used on steep hills and inclines, and some who believe it should not be used at all; it’s hard to know what to believe.

At Brake Masters we are firm believers in using it all the time. Here’s why:

The emergency brake is most useful on inclines and steep hills. Its additional stopping power ensures that your car won’t go rolling down a hill and cause a massive collision. We can’t think of a reason for not using it with such a big risk involved if you don’t.

However that doesn’t explain why we suggest using it all the time.

While it’s generally not necessary on flat surfaces, it’s still important that you use it when parking anywhere. Otherwise, debris such as dirt, dust, and salt will eventually clog the cables and cause the brake to stick.

As anyone who has accidentally driven with the parking brake on will tell you, it’s not fun. It creates a drag on the vehicle and will cause a nasty smell of burning brake material if driven for too long. You’ll need Las Cruces brake repair or Santa Fe brake repair before you know it.

By using your emergency brake regularly, you can avoid this problem and keep your vehicle running smoothly.

Tags: Emergency Brake, Las Cruces Brake Repair, Santa Fe brake repair
Posted in Brake Repair Tips | Comments Off

Going On A Road Trip? Inspect Your Car First

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Check out these common vehicle issues before any road trip.

Nothing puts the breaks on a road trip quicker than having your vehicle break down in the middle of nowhere. Even if you’ve always maintained your car perfectly, there are certain things you should check prior to every road trip.

By following the below list, you can be comfortable knowing that your car can handle the many miles of road ahead and won’t break down unexpectedly.

Things to check:

Oil – Remove the dipstick and check the oil for any sign of problems. When is the last time that the oil has been changed? If you’re going on a long road trip it may be a good idea to change the oil immediately before you leave and then once again when you get back.

Tire Pressure – Examine each of your tires to make sure that they are filled to the correct tire pressure.

Fluids – Check and top off your transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid and engine coolant.

Belts and Hoses – Do a visual inspection of your belts and hoses to look for any breaks or cracks. Have any issues you discover fixed before you leave on your trip. Getting your El Paso timing belt replacement early can save you from thousands in engine damage later on.

Many people prefer to have an Albuquerque car tune up done before they leave on their trip. This allows them to feel comfortable knowing that their vehicle has been thoroughly tested and is ready to go. It also allows them to not have to worry about checking their vehicle themselves.

Also, don’t forget the tunes! A long road trip is always better with the right music playing from your car’s speakers.

Tags: Albuquerque Car Tune Up, El Paso timing belt replacement, Road Trip Checklist
Posted in Car Repair | Comments Off

Can Oil Color Tell You If Your Car Needs An Oil Change?

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Why you don’t need an oil change just because your oil turns brown or black.

When you first pour oil into a vehicle it comes out a nice golden color. However, if you’ve ever checked your dipstick a few days later, you might have noticed that the oil is now dark brown or even black!

So does this mean that you purchased bad motor oil and that you need to get another Phoenix oil change already?

Not a chance.

It’s not uncommon for oil to change colors and darken just miles after it has been changed. Here’s why:

The oil’s job is to circulate through the engine and clean/lubricate all of the parts. That means that oil will instantly start to pick up dirt and other substances that cause it to darken. What’s more, because of the way an internal combustion engine works, small particles are released each time it goes and the oil must pick them up or else they will start to damage the engine. If your oil is not picking up those particles, then it is time to worry.

So the next time that someone tries to tell you that you need a new Tucson oil change just because your oil is darker, don’t immediately go out and do it. Stick to your regular maintenance schedule (generally every 3,000 miles) and rest easy knowing that the oil is doing its job.

One thing you should note is if your oil starts to appear grey, milky, or smell burnt. This could indicate breaks and leaks within the engine and should be checked out by a certified mechanic immediately.

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