Las Cruces Brake Repair « Brake Buddy's Auto Repair & Maintenance Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Las Cruces Brake Repair’

High Definition Radio, Satellite Radio: What’s the difference?

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

car radio

In the good old days, you had AM radio in your car. Then came along FM radio. And for about 45 years, that’s all you needed.

Today you now have AM, FM and HD radio stations as well as satellite stations such as Sirius XM Radio.

If you’re buying a new car or looking to upgrade the stereo receiver in your old car, you may be wondering: What’s the difference between HD and satellite radio?

To help you understand the difference, we’ve created a handy radio tip sheet.

Satellite Radio

How It Works: Satellite radio is sent to your radio via satellite, hence its name. Think of satellite radio like cable television. You pay a monthly subscription and you get lots of commercial free stations.

Here’s what you need to know about set up:

Receiver Cost: Satellite Radio Receiver: $30-$150
Subscription Cost: $12.95 to $16.95
Stations: 120-180 stations, depending on subscription
Commercials: None
New Cars: Satellite radio receivers come as a premium option in most new cars.
More Information: http://www.siriusxm.com/

HD Radio

How It Works: HD radio allows AM and FM stations to broadcast digitally. This means you’ll get clearer sounding radio. You’ll also get a few more stations.

Here is what you need to know about set up:

Receiver Cost: $40-$200
Subscription Cost: None
Stations: Depends on market. For example, Phoenix has 37. To find how many HD stations are in your market click here.
Commercials: Yes, similar to standard radio.
New Cars: HD radio receivers come as a premium option in most new cars.
More Information: http://www.hdradio.com/

HD or Satellite?

So you may be wondering: HD or Satellite?

If you already like the radio stations you get, but want clearer sound with a few more stations, you should go with HD radio.

If you’re tired of commercials and want a lot of satiations, your best bet is satellite radio.

Be sure to shop around and ask family and friends that they think of HD and satellite radio. You also can ask a technician during your next El Paso auto air conditioning repair or Las Cruces brake repair This will help make the decision making process easier.

Tags: El Paso auto air conditioning repair, HD radio, Las Cruces Brake Repair, satellite radio, Sirius XM Radio
Posted in Car Technology | Comments Off

What To Discuss With Your Mechanic Before Getting Albuquerque Brake Repair

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
Posted in Brake Repair Tips, Car Repair | Comments Off

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

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
Posted in Brake Repair Tips | Comments Off

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 »