We thought it would be interesting to list some of the sources of the most common auto maintenance problems that you’ll encounter during the life of your car or truck. Many of these problems are addressed in detail in posts on the Brake Masters Blog.

Here’s an overview of the seven most common problems.

#1 Engine Problems: The engine of course is one of the most common areas where you’ll encounter an auto maintenance problem. Common engine problems will include starting, emissions and exhaust problems as well as overheating. To help keep your car in top condition, get a Phoenix car tune up from time to time.

#2 Battery Problems: Your car or truck’s battery can be the source for a lot of problems. An old battery can be the source for starting issues, electrical issues and lighting issues. It is important to get your battery tested, especially if you live in an area with hot summers.

#3 Transmission Problems: As you put miles on your car, you may need to have the transmission fixed. If your car or truck has a manual transmission, you may need to replace the clutch. If you have an automatic transmission, it’s important to get a transmission flush every so often.

#4 Brake Problems: The brakes are another common source for auto maintenance problems. It’s also a problem you should have fixed quickly because it’s a safety issue. If your brakes are noisy or pulsating and vibrating, you should take it in for a Tucson brake check.

#5 HVAC Problems: Your car or truck’s heating and cooling system is another area that will need maintenance from time to time. Coolant will need to be refilled. Compressors and hoses also will need to be replaced as your car or truck ages. Albuquerque auto air conditioning repair can help keep you car cool during the summer months.

#6 Steering Problems: You may encounter steering problems with your car or truck. Either steering will feel stiff or it will feel very loose when turning. Fixing the wheel alignment and servicing the power steering helps resolve these problems.

#7 Suspension And Tire Problems: You will definitely have to replace your car or trucks tires several times during its life. Also if you’re driving and the ride feels more bumpy than usual it may be time for new shock absorbers.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

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We’ll see you at Brake Masters and GOOD LUCK!

1. You should top off your brake fluid if it’s running low.

This is false, it would be nice to think that this is all you need to do but low brake fluid is often a symptom of a larger problem. Have your Tucson brake check right away if you notice low fluid levels.

2. Dishwashing liquid is a good alternative to car wash soap.

Soap made specifically for washing cars isn’t just repackaged dish soap. It is specifically designed not to damage your paint’s finish and to leave your car looking great. Dishwashing liquid can actually cause damage to your car.

3. A car battery quickly recharges after a jumpstart.

After a jumpstart, your car’s batter can take multiple hours of driving to fully recharge. Additionally, a battery that needs to be jumpstarted may be faulty and need replacement.

Never take car advice at face value. Rely on experts and tested advice and ask for details during your next Tucson car tune up instead of just trying something because it sounds good.

Your car’s owner’s manual may not list that you should have your brakes flushed. This is usually because they recommend when to have your Phoenix brakes check and assume the mechanic will notify you when it is time. This does not mean that it is not actually a very important service.

Brake fluid absorbs water and this is very important because it creates condensation in the brake system and helps reduce corrosion. Eventually though, it will have absorbed all of the fluid it possibly can and will be completely saturated.

When your brake fluid becomes saturated, unabsorbed fluids can start to collect and corrode important parts of your brake system.  Also, the water will make seals deteriorate and start to contaminate fluids in the car and the boiling point of the fluid can drop beyond the levels that are recommended. Unfortunately, all of these things can drastically affect the performance of your brakes.

How can you determine when you need to have your brake fluid flushed? As mentioned before, your mechanic should notify you when inspecting your brakes if it is time to flush the fluid. However, you can also expect that around every two years or 30,000 miles, you may want to have your brake fluid flushed.

If you are not familiar with flushing your brake system, then you do not want to do this yourself. Stop by a Brake Masters location and find out if it is time to flush your brake fluids with a Tucson brake check.

Properly maintaining your vehicle is absolutely key to avoiding costly repairs and to increasing your vehicle’s lifespan.

While advice from friends and family can be helpful when it comes to how best maintain your car, the best advice comes directly from the manufacturer. Your vehicle should come with an owner’s manual that includes exactly what maintenance needs to take place and exactly how often it needs to occur.

Following the information published in your owner’s manual is the best way to keep your car in top shape. However, if you’ve lost it, or simply prefer an online version, many manufacturers publish maintenance schedules online.

Here are some maintenance guides from many of the major manufacturers:

Toyota – http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/

Ford – http://www.ford.com/owner-services/maintaining-vehicle

Honda – https://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/SEO/HondaMaintenance.asp

GM – http://www.goodwrench.com/Services/SimplifyMaintenance.jsp

Chrysler – http://www.chrysler.com/en/owners/

Nissan – http://www.nissanusa.com/owning/vehicle-care/maintenance.html

Volkswagen – http://www.vw.com/myvw/yourcar/maintenance/findschedules/en/us/

Find your car’s maintenance guide to see if you need a Phoenix car tune up or a Tucson brake check.