Tucson brake repair « Brake Buddy's Auto Repair & Maintenance Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Tucson brake repair’

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

Maintenance Tips Every New Car Owner Needs To Know

Friday, July 30th, 2010

So you opted to replace your old vehicle with a new one. Who can blame you – new tires, new brakes, that new-car smell, and best of all … no repair headaches.

Whether you purchased a brand-new car or a used one, here are a few things you should be doing so you don’t encounter any major problems down the road.

Every Three Months

Every three months, be sure to check your fluids. You should also change your oil every 3,000 – 5,000 miles. Three-month fluid inspection should include:

Oil
Brake fluid
Power steering fluid
Window washer fluid

Also, be sure to check the coolant. Your coolant should be about 50 percent antifreeze and 50 percent water. If you’re not up to mixing a coolant cocktail, your auto-parts store should sell some pre-mixed coolant.

Every Six Months

At the six-month mark, you should check your battery as well as your tire depth. Without the proper tire depth, you may not be able to make a quick, sudden stop with your vehicle. Be sure to also check if it’s time for another oil change.

Every Year

At year end, you should flush your radiator, which prevents rust and corrosion in the radiator, which can lead to expensive repairs. You will also want to check your:

Spark plugs
Fuel filter
Brake pads
Windshield wipers

If confident enough, some of this you can do on your own, but always have a trusted mechanic on speed-dial should you run into any problems.

Follow these steps and you won’t need Tucson brake repair or Albuquerque brake repair for a long time. The only possible headaches, you’ll be having is from the new-car smell.

Tags: Albuquerque Brake Repair, Tucson brake repair, Vehicle Maintenance
Posted in Car Fluids Info, Car Lubricant Info, Oil Change Tips | Comments Off

Why Your Auto Technician Must Be ASE Certified

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
Posted in Brake Repair Tips | Comments Off

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
Posted in Brake Repair Tips, Car Fluids Info | Comments Off

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 »

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 »