Archive for the ‘Brake Repair Tips’ Category
Thursday, June 16th, 2011
Making sure your vehicle has regular tune ups is important for its overall performance. However, some people might not understand what takes place during a tune up and therefore why it is important.
Here is a list of the things that typically get check, replaced, or fixed during a tune up.
A technician will replace the:
- Air filter
- Fuel filter
- Spark plugs
- Spark plug wires
The technician will also:
- Adjust the valves or replace the valve-cover gasket
- Check all fluids and add more if necessary
- Test the battery, battery terminals and cables and clean or replace them if necessary
- Check the brakes, brake fluid, tire tread and tire pressure
- Check the air conditioning in the spring/summer and heating in the fall/winter
Other things that they might look at and repair or replace if needed include the:
- Carburetor
- Distributor cap and rotor
- PCV valve
- Oxygen sensor
Also, if the vehicle is a manual, the technician will look at the clutch.
It is recommended that a vehicle receives a tune up every year. However, some people take their vehicle in every 6 months.
With regular tune ups, your vehicle will last longer and perform better.
Tags: car tune up, truck tune up, tune up parts, tune up tips
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Monday, April 25th, 2011
A brake check is something that you should get regularly done for your vehicle.
You should get your brakes checked at least once a year to be sure they are working properly. It’s important for your safety.
If you’re curious to know what happens during a Santa Fe brake check or a Sacramento brake check, here is what you need to know.
Disc Inspection: During a brake check, the mechanic will inspect all four discs on your car. The mechanic will be looking for rough spots or groves in the disc. Rough spots and grooves can wear down your brake pads faster.
Pad Inspection: The mechanic will also take a look at the brake pads. This is the part of the braking system that sits on the discs and helps slow your car. The mechanic will look to see if the brake pad surface is worn out.
Brake Line Inspection: The mechanic will check the brake lines on your vehicle to see if there are any leaks. If there are any cracks or holes in the brake lines, they will have to be replaced.
Many people try to do brake inspections on their own. This can be a major safety issue. If you are a beginner to auto repair, you’ll want to take your car in for a professional brake inspection.
This will help protect against any errors or mistakes that you can make during a do-it-yourself inspection.
Tags: brake check, Brake Inspection, tips for checking brakes
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Tuesday, January 11th, 2011
We were recently contacted by Satellite Dish, which is a website that specializes in everything satellite-related, from satellite TV and internet, to satellite radio services as well.
They wrote a post on their blog called “10 Way to Find an Honest Mechanic” and thought it would pertain to our readers.
They were right! This is an excellent post with lots of great tips for our readers to make sure they are choosing the best mechanic possible. We posted a link to it on our Facebook page and think it also ties in with our post about “How to Find a Reliable Mechanic.”
Everyone at Brake Masters would like to thank the people at Satellite Dish for sending us this post. We encourage all of our readers to check out their blog.
Thanks again Satellite Dish.
Tags: Blog, Honest Mechanic, Satellite Dish
Posted in Brake Repair Tips, Driving Tips | Comments Off
Monday, January 10th, 2011
At some point your car or truck is going to need new brakes.
As you probably already know, having properly functioning brakes is important for your safety. Additionally, changing your brakes after they are worn out ensures your vehicle will operate at a high level.
As a rule of thumb, you should have your brakes inspected every 30,000 to 40,000 miles depending on your driving habits. If you do a lot of city driving where you are constantly using your brakes, you may want to have them checked earlier.
However if you are having any of the signs below with your car or truck, you should take it in for a Sacramento brake check or a Santa Fe brake check.
Grinding
If you are hearing grinding noises when you apply the brakes in your car or truck, it probably means your brake pads are worn. The grinding sound typically starts with a high-pitched metallic grinding noise. This is the brake pad indicator telling you that your pads are worn.
Pulsating Sounds
If you hear a pulsating, pounding sound any time you apply the brakes, it probably means you have a problem with your car or truck’s rotors. Brake rotors are circular discs that help stop the car while the wheel is in motion. Pulsating sounds may indicate a warped rotor.
Brake Pressure Problems
If you press your car or truck’s brake pedal and it has little or no pressure, you’ve got brake fluid issues. One problem may be that you don’t have enough brake fluid in your car. Another problem may be that there is air in the brake fluid line or there is a leak.
If you are having trouble with your car or truck’s brakes, be sure to immediately take it in for an inspection. Brake Masters provides excellent help in solving all of your vehicle’s brake problems. For a service center near you, use our store locator tool.
Tags: brake problems, brake wear signs, grinding brakes, Sacramento brake check, Santa Fe Brake Check
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Thursday, October 21st, 2010
Do you remember the last time you went in for a Phoenix timing belt replacement, and they said you needed new brake rotors? Do you remember thinking to yourself, “What are brake rotors?”
Many people think it is simply the brake pad themselves, but the brake rotor is a separate system that is a very vital part of your braking system.
Brake rotors should last the lifetime of your car unless you have been driving with worn-to-the-metal brake pads for quite some time. Many times you will go to get your brake pads changed and the shop will tell you that you “must” get your brake rotors replaced as well.
Unless you have been driving for over 1,000 miles while hearing a loud grinding sound that usually isn’t the case. Most people can go for an El Paso brake repair and not need to get their rotors replaced but it really is up to you if you want to spend that extra money or not.
You can tell if you really are in serious need of new brake rotors if you feel the brakes pulsating when you try to come to a stop. This can be a sign of corrosion or deep grooves in your brake rotors which is very bad. This means you need to take it in and immediately get the rotors replaced and not risk doing even greater damage to them.
A good rotor should be made of a grey cast iron depending on the metal compound. Make sure they are installing brake rotors with an SAE G3000 or more because this can help prevent brake fade or warping.
Brake rotors help to ensure you get the smoothest stop possible. As long as you don’t drive with your brake pads down to the metal, they should last you the lifetime of your car. If you do ever need to get them replaced, make sure to ask for rotors with an SAE G3000 or more so you don’t have to repair them in the future.
Tags: El Paso Brake Repair, Phoenix Timing Belt Replacement
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Monday, September 6th, 2010
Your vehicle’s brakes are one of the most important parts. Old malfunctioning brakes are a threat to your safety.
To make sure your vehicle’s brakes are working properly, you should check your brakes every six months. We recommend using the “Sound” and “Sight” method to do the job right.
Brake Sounds
When driving your vehicle, you may hear some strange sounds coming from your vehicle’s wheels. Here’s the “Sound” diagnosis:
- Squeaking and Scratching Sounds: These sounds may be due to worn brake pads or dirt or dust on the brakes.
- Rhythmic Thumping Sounds: This sound may be due to a warped rotor.
If you hear either of these two sounds get your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible. Holding off on brake repairs can be dangerous.
Brake Sights
If you have some automotive maintenance experience, we recommend looking at the following parts to help diagnose your brake problem. Here’s the “Sight” method:
- Brake Pads: Look for wearing and cracking. If you see wearing and cracking, the brake pads could be the problem.
- Rotors: Look for any scratches or grooves. If you see either of these, it’s time to replace your rotors.
During your six-month check, also be sure to examine your vehicle’s brake fluid. Also check your repair log to see the last time your brakes were repaired. If you do not have a repair log, we suggest you start one.
If you are keeping a log, be sure to write down your vehicle’s mileage for all repairs, especially brake repairs.
Following these steps will help let you know when it’s time for an El Paso brake check or a Las Cruces brake check. Remember, don’t sit on brake problems.
Tags: brake diagnosis, El Paso Brake Check, Las Cruces Brake Check
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Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
If you’re driving your car and you feel a pulsation through the brake pedal or steering wheel, you may have a warped rotor.
If you’re unfamiliar with this, a rotor is a part of your car’s disk braking system located on each end of each axle. A properly functioning rotor interacts with the brake pads to ensure your vehicle will be able to slow down and stop. Damaged rotors can cause problems stopping.
Warped rotors are a problem in some newer cars because the rotors are thin, which causes them to get warped easier.
Causes of warped rotors include common wear and tear as well as if the brakes are very hot after a long drive. Rotors also can become warped if your vehicle’s brake pads are not regularly replaced.
While it is possible to inspect your vehicle’s braking system to see if the rotors are warped, we recommend taking your vehicle to a reputable mechanic to diagnose the problem.
Depending on the severity of the problem, mechanics can repair the rotors by shaving off a small area of the rotor surface to make it smooth again. Other times, the rotor is beyond repair and must be replaced.
We recommend taking your vehicle to the mechanic if you feel a pulsation coming from the brakes. Having an Albuquerque brake check or an El Paso brake check can help diagnose this problem.
Tags: Albuquerque Brake Check, El Paso Brake Check
Posted in Brake Repair Tips, Car Repair | Comments Off
Thursday, August 19th, 2010
Taking care of your vehicle increases its longevity and decreases the time and money you have to spend at the mechanics. When it comes to brake care, there are several preventative measures you can take to ensure your brakes are working and lasting longer.
- Don’t ride your brakes: Many people will hit their brakes to sightsee or for no apparent reason. Use your brakes responsibly. Also, using a lower gear when driving down hills can help save your brakes.
- Change the brake fluid: From time to time your brake fluid will need to be changed. Flushing your brake fluid prevents major problems down the road.
- Don’t carry unnecessary weight in your vehicle: If you’ve been driving around with a weight set in the trunk of your car or any other unnecessary weight, ditch it. It can cause your brakes to wear down faster.
- Buy quality brakes If you’re planning on keeping your vehicle for a while, plan on purchasing quality brake parts. The extra money you spend will be well worth it in the long run because quality brakes use better materials.
- Don’t wait too long to replace parts: If you’re hearing grinding or squealing from your brakes. Don’t wait too long to bring your vehicle to the mechanic. Waiting could cause more serious problems to your vehicle’s brake system.
While it’s good to avoid riding your brakes, remember to always drive safely. Constant gas braking could cause an accident and damage to your vehicle. Remember, safety comes before saving a few dollars.
Following these steps along with a Phoenix brake check or a Tucson brake check will keep your brakes working longer.
Tags: Phoenix Brake Check, Tucson Brake Check
Posted in Brake Repair Tips, Car Repair | Comments Off
Monday, August 16th, 2010
We’ve all been there. You start hearing that scratching, squealing sound when you hit the brake pedal, which means it’s time to go and visit the mechanic.
But it’s really not that bad. Knowing what to discuss with your mechanic will make the process a lot less like going to the dentist. Follow these tips and you’ll be fine.
The first thing you are likely to discuss with your mechanic is the source of the brake problem. There are likely two types of sounds you are hearing from your brakes. The squeaking and grinding sounds most likely involve the brake pads, while a pulsating feeling while driving is likely a warped rotor.
When talking with your mechanic, ask about seeing your vehicle’s old brake pads once they are removed from your vehicle. If they are not worn, there is no need to replace them. Most reputable mechanics will show you the brake pads without asking.
Another issue likely to arise is whether or not you need lifetime brakes pads. When considering lifetime brake pads, think about how long you are planning on keeping your vehicle. If you are not planning on keeping the car long, they may not be worth it.
To avoid regular discussions with the mechanic about your vehicle’s brakes, avoid riding your brakes too hard and be sure to keep your brakes and wheels clean. These preventative measures will increase the time between a Tucson brake repair or a Las Cruces brake repair.
Tags: Las Cruces Brake Repair, Tucson brake repair
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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
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