Brake Repair Tips « Brake Buddy's Auto Repair & Maintenance Blog

Archive for the ‘Brake Repair Tips’ Category

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
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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
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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
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Slip and Slide No More

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

There have been many improvements in the automobile since Henry Ford first introduced the world to mass produced automobiles on August 12, 1908. In terms of safety and reliability in vehicle performance, one of the most important would have to be the anti-lock brake system, or ABS. This technology has branched off into several specific enhancements like, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), traction control systems, emergency brake assist technology, or electronic stability control, but each of these is simply a finer control of the base anti-lock braking system.

When you are having your next Albuquerque brake check you might be able to find out what kind of system your own vehicle uses and if it requires any regular maintenance to ensure it stays working properly. The actual physical components of the anti-lock braking system are pretty simple; they boil down to just pads, rotors, and calipers. However, the electronics behind and supporting these parts can be extensive.

Anti-lock braking systems work by ensuring that when you stop your vehicle in a panic situation, your wheels do not lock up. If your wheels continue to spin to some degree, it allows you more control of the vehicle. Before the advent of ABS, if you slammed on your brakes, the car would most likely skid out of control when on wet or loose surfaces. The anti-lock brake systems have not removed the possibility of brake damage, requiring Las Cruces brake repair, through improper maintenance. In the end, with or without technology, the care of your vehicle is still mostly in your hands.

Tags: Albuquerque Brake Check, Las Cruces Brake Repair
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High Performance Disc Brakes

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Last month we talked about how disc brakes work and explained that the majority of modern vehicles use this braking system. Unless your car classifies as a classic, chances are that it’s using disc brakes.

But what about race cars? Surely the speedy vehicles of Formula One and NASCAR don’t use the same braking system as an everyday driver.

The answer is that race cars do actually use disc brakes, but never the ones you will see during your average Las Cruces brake repair. Modern race cars use a reinforced carbon disc brake instead of the usual cast iron.

Inspired by airplane braking systems, carbon is much more heat resistant than iron and so it maintains its form at the high speeds necessary for racing. This makes the brakes more efficient and better able to handle the pressures of racing.

Don’t bother asking about getting carbon brakes at your next Las Cruces brake check because they are only more efficient at speeds much too fast for your daily commute.

Tags: How Disc Brakes Work, Las Cruces Brake Check, Las Cruces Brake Repair
Posted in Brake Repair Tips | 1 Comment »

How Disc Brakes Work

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

We’ve written all about why you need a Phoenix brake check and how important maintaining your brakes is to your car, but not enough about how your brakes work. This article will teach you the basics of how your brakes operate so you can impress your mechanic during your next Tucson brake repair.

The majority of modern cars have either disc brakes on the front two wheels or on all four wheels. The brake is made of brake pads, a rotor, and a caliper with a piston attached. When the brake pedal is pressed, the piston compresses the caliper and causes the brake pads to squeeze the rotor. This pressure causes friction that slows down the disks and thus, the wheels.

It is essential that all of these parts work in perfect unison so that each time you press the brake, your vehicle stops quickly and safely. If any part does not work exactly how it should then it is probably time for an Albuquerque brake repair.

Tags: Albuquerque Brake Repair, disc brakes, Tucson brake repair
Posted in Brake Repair Tips | 1 Comment »

What to Do If Your Brakes Break

Friday, March 5th, 2010

While it’s highly unlikely, it’s possible for the brakes of a vehicle give out if they have not had an Albuquerque brake check or an El Paso brake repair in a long time. This can be a scary and highly dangerous situation, but if you know what to do you can get out of it without a scratch.

You will need to stay calm and keep paying attention to the road and steering as usual. If you divert your eyes you are likely to run into something far quicker. Next, pay attention to what happens when you try to brake. If the brake just goes straight down to the floor you might be able to fix it by pumping the brake continuously with your foot. If the brake does not move, there might be something caught under the brake that you may be able to kick out or remove.

Next you will want to try to downshift your vehicle. Go down one gear at a time but do this as quickly as you can with causing damage to the transmission. This should slow down your car significantly.

Finally, if nothing else is working, pull the emergency brake. This is slower than the normal brake and may hurt your vehicle if you are going too fast but it will work in a pinch.

Tags: Albuquerque Brake Check, brake repair, El Paso Brake Check
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Do You Need a Brake Inspection?

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

With all the talk about potential issues with Toyota Prius brakes, we’ve seen a lot of people worried about the brakes on their own vehicle, Prius or not. While it’s a good thing people are taking a sudden interest in their brakes, you probably shouldn’t worry too much.

Even if you own a Prius, chances are you don’t need Phoenix brake repair. The problem has been reported on only about 100 vehicles and only on 2010 models.

That being said, keeping your brakes maintained is important to your safety and the life of your vehicle. If you are driving an aging vehicle or are noticing any issue whatsoever with how your brakes feel or perform, it’s best that you get a brake inspection to check it out.

Getting your Tucson brake check may not be your favorite way to spend an hour but it’s well worth it when you consider the alternative is having your brakes stop working while driving.

Tags: Brake Inspection, brake repair, Toyota Prius brakes
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Which Type Of Brake Pads Do You Need?

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Discover the best brake pads for your vehicle.

Some signs that you need to have your brakes checked include squeaking or squealing sounds when braking, the vehicle pulling to the side when braking, the brakes grabbing or vibrating, and the brake pedal feeling easier to push. At your next Phoenix brake check talk with your mechanic about the four main types of brake pads to choose from and which would be best for your car.

Ceramic brake pads are mainly composed of ceramic fibers. They are usually lighter in color from other brake pads. Ceramic brake pads are more expensive but they are cleaner, quieter, and brake better without wearing down the rotors on your car.

Semi-metallic brake pads are 30-65% metal including steel wool, iron powder, and graphite or copper with inorganic fillers. These pads do very well with heat transfer and are also very durable. The downfall to these brake pads are they may not perform as well in colder temperatures, can be a bit noisy, and are not as easy on your rotors.

Non-asbestos organic brake pads are made from fibers like glass, carbons, Kevlar and rubber with filler materials and resins. These pads are quiet and quite soft, but they do not last very long and produce a lot more dust.

The last type of brake pad is the low metallic non-asbestos organic brake pad. These are made from an organic formula with copper or steel which helps with better heat transfer and braking. Because of the added metal they can be a bit noisier and produce more dust.

If you are not sure that you need new brake pads, stop by a Brake Masters location and let us check it for you! Also, before buying new brake pads, talk with your mechanic or the sales staff to choose which brake pad is the correct choice for you and your car at your Albuquerque brake check.

Tags: Brake Pads, Ceramic Brake Pads, Phoenix Brake Check, Semi-metallic Brake Pads
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