Brake dust  is made up of small amounts of material that slowly separate from the brake pads and gets on the wheels and braking system of your car or truck. Some people think that excessive brake dust means their brakes are not working properly. That is not the case.

However, excessive build up of brake dust can damage your wheels, ruining the appearance of your car or truck. Excessive brake dust can cause small holes in the metal of your wheels.

Getting rid of brake dust is pretty simple. All you need is a bucket of soap and water and a brush. Following the steps below will get rid of the brake dust on your car or truck.

• Spay wheels with a hose to remove any loose brake dust.
• Using the brush, begin to clean the wheels using a bucket of soap and water. If your wheels are extra dirty, you can buy a wheel cleaner at your local auto parts store.
• Once you have brushed the brake dust loose, use the hose to remove any remaining dust and soap.
• Dry the wheels with a rag.

Following these steps will protect your car’s wheels and keep your car looking great. Also, be sure to get a Sacramento brake check or a Santa Fe brake check to keep your car in good working condition.

During the month of December, our contest gave customers the opportunity to visit a Brake Masters location and receive a free brake inspection.  They were then entered in the drawing for a chance to win a $1000 Visa gift card.  Our Five lucky winners are:

• Veronica Martinez from El Paso
• Richard Loyd from New Mexico
• Mari Ostdiek from Sacramento
• Mark Spriggs from Phoenix
• Tom Spehn from Tucson

Being a fan of Brake Masters on Facebook can really pay off!  Each week we select a fan of the week who receives a year’s worth of free oil changes.  We also give exclusive offers and contests.  We encourage everyone to visit our Facebook page and become a fan and stay tuned for future offers and contests.

Brake Masters would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

• The age of the car
• The number of miles it has
• Other repair issues present

This will help you determine the best course of action.

Engine Repairs

Any repairs having to do with the car engine are generally the most costly.  If you have problems with your engine, it is possible to spend thousands of dollars and could even need a new one.  If it is possible, try to find a gently used engine from a salvage yard to help lower the costs associated with engine repair.  Engine costs are generally between $500 to $2,000 and could reach up to $5,000 for a new engine.

Transmission Problems

Once the transmission starts failing, it can mean expensive repairs which range between $1,800 and $3,600.  It is possible to only need a transmission fluid flush, which is about $150, however, if this does not fix the problem, it could be time for a whole new transmission and at that point, it might be time to consider a new car.

Belt-related Issues

Every car has three belts:

• Timing Belt
• Fan Belt
• Serpentine Belt

Each of these belts has a different purpose and when replaced before problems happen, are generally reasonably prices.  However, if one of these belts snaps, it could cause serious damage to your car.

A broken timing belt in an engine most likely means it is time for a new engine.  A broken fan belt can cause the engine to overhead and most likely also resulting in a new engine.  The serpentine belt controls several internal components like the alternator, water pump, A/C compressor, and other depending on your particular make and model.  Having a few of these stop working as a result of a broken serpentine belt can add up quickly.

Catalytic Converters

All cars made after 1975 require a catalytic converter to control emissions.  Most last for about 100,000 miles and are almost never covered under warranties.  They are also one of the most expensive single parts on a car.  The part alone can range from $1,000 to $5,000 and some cars ever require more than one.  Once the catalytic converter stops working, it will restrict the flow of exhaust and choke the engine, causing permanent damage.

If you have more questions about how to proceed with your repairs, ask your mechanic next time you’re getting an El Paso oil change or a Las Cruces car tune up.

If you do not replace your timing belt from time to time, it could break causing your engine to stop working. To prevent you from being stuck on the side of the road, here are some timing belt tips you should follow.

Timing Belt Warning Signs: If your engine is making scraping or slapping noises, it may be time for a Phoenix timing belt replacement or a Tucson timing belt replacement. Another sign that may signal you need a timing belt replacement is if a warning light on your dashboard is on.

When To Change: Most car manufactures recommend changing your timing belt at regular mileage intervals to help prevent the timing belt from breaking. This prevents you from being stranded on the side of the road. As a general rule, you should change your timing belt every 60,000 to 90,000 miles depending on your make and model. For more precise information, read your owner’s manual to find out when you should replace your timing belt.

A Snapshot Of What Happens: When replacing the timing belt, the mechanic removes the fan belts and timing covers and loosens the crankshaft pulley. The mechanic checks the crankshaft pulley seals as well as the timing belt tensioner bearings. During the long process, the mechanic will remove the old timing belt and replace it with a new one and reassemble all the parts removed.

What Else You Should Do: A lot of times, a mechanic will recommend replacing the water pump when they replace the timing belt. That is because a good part of the labor needed to replace the water pump has already been done during the timing belt replacement. It saves you money in the long run to replace the water pump along with the timing belt.

These are just a few things you need to know about your car or truck’s timing belt. When working with a mechanic, always be sure to ask questions to help you learn more about vehicle maintenance.

Most roadside assistance programs are an annual subscription that range from $50 to $100 per year.  They offer benefits such as:

• Towing to repair shops
• Battery services
• Lockout services
• Flat tire replacement
• Emergency fuel replacement
• Extrication

If you are not sure whether or not emergency roadside assistance is worth the money, consider this:

The average cost from a simple five mile tow could be as much as $150.  Depending upon the level of service you subscribe to, that towing could be included in your membership for up to five tows per year.  That means that after the first tow, your membership has more than paid for itself.

Emergency roadside assistance is also available with some insurance plans depending on the company.  While this could mean saving money, it could be an extra option and could cost more per year than subscribing to an outside company.  They also generally do not provide the same level of service either.

Another benefit is discounts on travel, hotels, car rentals, and shopping.  Most companies offer these discounts as an extra membership benefit.  If you travel frequently and stay in hotels often, you could also more than make up for you membership dues in discounts.

Having an emergency roadside assistance membership can make owning a car less stressful.  They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help with almost any car-related problems and breakdowns.  Also, you never have to worry about being stranded if your car has problems.  If you do not have an emergency roadside assistance membership, consider how it might help prevent expensive towing costs and stressful situations.

If you have more questions about emergency roadside assistance, ask your mechanic next time you’re getting an Albuquerque timing belt replacement or a Sacramento brake check.

The check engine light is a warning indicator that works with your car or truck’s computer. If your check engine light goes off, it means that a part or component in your vehicle’s emission system is not properly working.

The items below are some of the most common check engine light problems.

The Light Keeps Blinking: If the check engine light on your car or truck keeps blinking, this is a serious problem. This means there is a big problem with your car or truck’s emission system. Immediately pull your vehicle over and have it towed to a mechanic.

The Light Stays On: If the check engine light stays on and doesn’t blink, there is not an immediate threat to your vehicle. Your vehicle will continue to operate. However, you should take your car or truck to a mechanic as soon as you can to see what is wrong. If the check engine light stays on, it means there is a problem with the emissions system. A diagnostic test from a mechanic will help answer the problem.

The Light Is On Sometimes and Sometimes Off: If your check engine light remains sometimes on and sometimes off, take the time to see if your vehicle runs differently when the light is on. If you notice a change in performance when the light is on, you should take your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as you can.

These are some of the most common check engine light signals. Always be sure to check your owner’s manual for more information about any diagnostic lights on your car or truck. If you have a check engine light on in your car or truck, be sure to have it checked out during your next Las Cruces car tune up or your next El Paso oil change.

We have just two days left until we give away five $1,000 Visa gift cards, just in time for the holidays. There is no purchase necessary to enter.

Here are the rules. For people living in Arizona, California and New Mexico, visit our Brake Masters locations in those states and get a free brake inspection. You’re automatically entered after the inspection.

For residents in Texas, all you need to do is visit any Brake Masters location and fill out an entry form to win.

You must be entered before December 15 to be eligible. For complete contest rules, visit the contest rules page on our website.

Integrated Bluetooth Calling: This is an option can come factory-installed on some vehicles.  There are also aftermarket kits that exist so it can be installed on any car.  After your phone is paired with the device, calling is done through a button mounted on the steering wheel and the audio is picked up through a microphone and then broadcast through the stereo system.  This offers one of the best hands-free calling experiences while driving.  Also, aftermarket kits are reasonably priced between $50 and $200.

Bluetooth Earpieces: Many options exist for Bluetooth earpieces in various price ranges.  They work in the same way as an integrated car system, but the audio is broadcast through the earpiece into the user’s ear.  They also have a portability factor that integrated systems lack.  Depending upon the amount of money you are willing to spend, the experience can vary.  They are generally priced between $25 for a basic model, up to $200 for a high end one.

Portable Bluetooth Speakers: If you are uncomfortable trying to install an aftermarket Bluetooth calling system in your car and also find Bluetooth earpieces uncomfortable, this could be a good option.  Bluetooth speakers work exactly like Bluetooth earpieces, except they usually include a clip so they can be mounted on the sun visor.  The audio is broadcast through the speaker and also includes an integrated microphone.  They are priced between $50 and $150.

Corded Headsets: For anyone not comfortable using Bluetooth devices, a simple corded headset can provide an easier alternative.  It is important to note that some cell phone have a 2.5 mm headset jack.  The standard for all other devices is 3.5 mm and most recent cell phones use this size.  However, they are not interchangeable.  A corded headset costs between $5 and $20.

These options exist to make it safer for you to drive while using a cell phone.  If you have more questions about how these can benefit you, ask your mechanic next time you’re getting an El Paso oil change or a Sacramento brake check.

With so many options, finding the right gift for a loved one can be overwhelming. If you haven’t purchased a gift for a loved one yet, here are some great car and truck accessories that make great Christmas presents.

GPS Navigation Units: These are popular gifts to give anyone. GPS navigation units allow you to find your way around anywhere. Garmin, Magellan and TomTom are some of the more popular brands of GPS navigation units out there.

Car Organizers: There’s nothing worse than a car that is a mess. If your loved one has a messy car or truck, buy them a car organizer. Organizers allow them to organize tools and other items to reduce clutter. Car and truck organizers come in all shapes and sizes. Make your purchasing decision based on the size of the vehicle and the amount of clutter inside the vehicle.

Auto Emergency Kits: Auto emergency gifts are great to give to people who travel a lot. A good auto emergency kit will include a flashlight, tools and a first aid kit. This gift will come in handy, especially if they ever get stuck on the side of the road.

Car Mats: Car mats may not be the most exciting present in the word, but they’re important for keeping your car or truck clean. A good set of car mats can be expensive. If you decide on car mats, be sure to take the time to read about the durability of the mats. If you’re buying car mats for a truck owner, you may want to purchase heavy-duty floor mats.

Auto Repair Service: It may not be an extravagant gift, but many people out there are putting off necessary auto repairs because of the economy. Deciding to pay for a family or friends auto repairs is a good last minute gift idea, especially if that person is hard to shop for.

Any of the gifts above would make great Christmas presents. If you need more car-related gift ideas, ask your mechanic next time your getting an Albuquerque timing belt replacement or a Tucson car tune up.

To enter, visit any Brake Masters location in Arizona, California or New Mexico and get a free brake inspection. You’re automatically entered after the inspection.

For Texas residents, all you have to do is visit any Brake Masters location and fill out an entry form to be entered.

You must be entered before December 15, 2010 to be eligible. Visit our website to read about the official rules.