The Importance of Getting Your Brakes Checked Regularly

Brakes are undoubtedly the one feature that is crucial to safety within a vehicle. The need to slam on the brakes to prevent an accident can arise in a split second. Because they mean the difference between life and death, brakes should be checked regularly and the parts should be replaced as necessary. Brakes send out several warning signs that indicate that there is trouble.

1. Any peculiar sounds occurring while slowing down are not to be ignored. Grinding, squealing or other strange noises could indicate that the brake pad has been worn through. Replacing the brake pad is an easy repair that does not cost much.

2. A squealing noise occurring right after a brake pad has been replaced or any other brake repair has been done could be a sign that the mechanic did not properly lubricate the brake pad. Take the car back to the mechanic right away, and they should remedy the problem.

3. Shaking of the brake pedal or steering wheel are the symptoms of a broken or damaged rotor. This should not be ignored, and the car needs to see a mechanic as soon as possible. If the rotors are still thick enough, a simple rotor rotation is an affordable fix; however, if the damage is too severe, they must be replaced.

4. The brake light lighting up could indicate a myriad of different problems and a mechanic should be consulted. One of the more common problems that triggers the brake light is the brake fluid level. This can be easily checked at home. The brake master cylinder is usually found on the driver's side of the car, under the front hood. The level of brake fluid should be closer to the maximum line than the minimum line. Low brake fluid could mean a leak or the wearing out of the brake pad. A mechanic should perform necessary checks to rule out any further problems.

Besides the obvious safety concerns, there are other financial reasons for having the car brakes checked on a regular basis. If the car is used with a worn out brake pad, this could damage the hardware of the brake system which could cost much more than a simple pad replacement. With frequent brake checks, the most repairs should be a simple and cheap brake pad replacement. Trying to save money by prolonging the time between brake checks will lead to the need to replace whole parts of the brake system which is extremely costly.

Joann Carlisle is a writer who enjoys sharing her knowledge and advice with readers. For more on vehicle maintenance, Living Frugally offers readers instructions for performing a maintenance check on their car.

Tips for Car Wheel Alignments

There are many important factors which need to be paid attention to whenever you are a car owner. Among the different things that you will need to pay attention to is that you will need to pay attention to your wheel alignment. This will help you to be able to get everything that you will need so that you will be able to have a properly running car. To understand why car wheel alignments are so important, it is a good idea to think about all of the different ways that you benefit by having good alignment.

Whenever you are investing in car wheel alignments, you are making sure that you are getting better gas mileage. You are also making sure that your tires last longer. Additionally, you are making sure that you are not damaging the rest of your steering system. It does not cost a lot to get the alignment that you will need and it will help you out in ways that you will be able to enjoy.

Better Gas Mileage

Whenever your alignment is off, it is like you are dragging one or more of your tires while the rest try to go straight. This is why your car continues to want to pull to one side or the other. By having to drag the tires along the road, you have to burn more gasoline so that you will be able to get to where you want to go and to travel at the speeds you want to travel at. By getting the tires to work together, there is less resistance and you will get better gas mileage.

Longer Lasting Tires

Another benefit of getting car wheel alignments is that your tires will last longer. Dragging the tires along the road causes uneven wear in the tires and will cause them to get worn a lot faster. Since much of the wear will be on one edge of the tire, instead of in the middle of the tire where there is more rubber, the tire will wear out faster. By making sure that everything is pointed in the right direction, you will be able to get the right mileage out of all of your tires.

Preventing Damage

Whenever you are struggling to work against a misalignment in your system, it can cause undue strain on the steering system as well as on the rods themselves. This will help you to save money on the car that you drive every day if you are just willing to pay to get car wheel alignments. You will also notice that you are able to enjoy driving your car more because you will get better performance out of it.

Service Plus Automotive is a family owned business since 1991. We are focused on providing the best possible customer service experience when servicing or repairing a customers vehicle. We strongly believe in customer education and regularly show the customer what needs repairing. We are very involved in various community activities and believe in giving back to the community who has supported us for almost 20 years. For more information, go to http://serviceplusautony.com/

Using Car Lifts For Auto Repair

Scissor car lifts in service bays are used to perform repairs and inspections on vehicles. They move up and down, plus gives full access to repair vehicles for under car service. Scissor lifts come in 2 variations, portable low rise lifts and portable mid rise lifts. Scissor lifts also come with hydraulics to move the cars to the levels desired, since a vehicle is too heavy to lift manually. Some of the available features on these devices includes space savers, turn plate and slip plate wheel alignment, automatic safety locks, lock release in a single point, and powder coat finishes on the lift. The specifications of a scissor car lift vary by the capacity of weight it can hold.

Scissor car lifts are safe and easy to operate. Using them makes auto repairs easier and more efficient for the mechanic. Cars with lower ground clearance can drive over it more easily. Some of them come with rubber topped pads which are adjustable. These right-angled grooves on the pads help match up to the body work of cars. The car scissor lift also contains different safety latch points when it goes up to give safer levels when performing auto repairs. To raise the vehicle, use the hydraulic pump. To operate the hydraulic pump, simply depress a button. The device is connected to a standard electrical outlet and powers the vehicle up in the air. To lower the vehicle, the operator holds two levers while one retracts and the other releases the fluid.

There are many signs and symptoms that a vehicle needs auto repair. The benefit of locating problems early keeps the vehicle from breaking down. Noises do not always indicate it needs to be checked, but it is still safer to run a diagnostic test or open the hood to look for problems. Vehicle experiences are the main way to indicate whether it needs to be checked or not. Screeching brakes and obvious grinding sounds coming from the wheel area are both signs of brakes needing repair. Failure to fix them can result in the brakes totally giving out, causing and accident, excess vehicle damage and extra expenses.

To also avoid unnecessary vehicle damage and extra expenses, repair the exhaust system when needed, get annual oil changes when due and check the transmission fluid as needed. A tune-up and vehicle inspection helps motorists stay ahead of the game, prevents damage and the vehicle from breaking down or giving out. Scissor car lifts play a big role in getting these inspections and repairs done. The easy accessibility makes the process simple for mechanics, whether they are changing the oil, repairing the exhaust or checking the transmission. Pricing depends upon the specific shop doing the work. Whether the mechanic operates at home or at an actual auto shop, the scissor lift is essential to safe and successful auto repairs.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information about scissor car lifts, please visit http://www.indyautolift.com/.

Save Money on Your Vehicle By Finding the Right Mechanic

One obvious way to save money on your vehicle is to keep it for as long as you can. To keep your car in excellent running condition for many years, it is important to find the right mechanic to serve your vehicle maintenance and repair needs. There are probably hundreds of auto repair shops right where you live, and you may already have found one where you take your vehicle to when it needs some fixing up. But how would you know if you have found a dependable mechanic, one who provides quality service at a fair price?

Here is a guide on how to find a trustworthy mechanic whose services can help you save money by extending the lifespan of your vehicle.

Shop around for a mechanic before your car starts showing some kind of trouble

Finding an auto shop before you need their services makes sense because if you wait until your car is sitting on the back of a flatbed, your only practical option would be the nearest auto repair shop available. If their service is good and affordable at the same time, you're lucky. But if you find their prices a bit steep, you will have no choice because your options are limited.

Compare Prices

You can do this by taking the time to visit well-known or well-recommended shops in the area and inquire about their maintenance as well as repair charges. The prices can vary from shop to shop. Some may charge very low prices while others may demand exorbitant fees. Do not immediately decide to go for the shop that offers super low fees as this may mean poor quality service. The idea is to choose the one that offers high quality service at a fair value price.

Inquire about their warranty policy

The right mechanic will of course have some kind of warranty. This is especially important if you are the type of person who can put on some serious miles. Normal wear and tear and unexpected events can happen so warranties can definitely help you save big on car expenses.

Take your car for regular check ups

Once you find a mechanic manly you can trust, get regular check ups. Major car repairs can cost a significant amount of money, so one way to save on car services is to follow a maintenance schedule with the same mechanic every time. Your mechanic will get to know your car and will keep records or charts of when and what kind of service was done. Taking your car to routine check ups with the same trusted mechanic will save you from unnecessary repairs.

Finding the right manly mechanic is not all that difficult. You just have to take the time to look around for one that can help you make your car last longer and perform better.

Timothy Rain Parker is an expert mechanic who owns a garage in Manly, Australia. He does a little writing on the side for Autolab, which you can visit at http://autolab.com.au/

Transmission Services Keep Your Vehicle in Running Condition

The article will take you on a detailed journey tossing light on the assorted aspects of transmission services and how they portray an essential role in the conservation of our vehicle.

We all need a vehicle to realize our mundane undertakings that hold value in our lives to an extent. It is certain that we need a vehicle to accomplish such tasks but somehow we tend to exhibit a sign of negligence as far as the maintenance of the vehicle is concerned. Transmission services play a vital role in the upkeep of our vehicle. They are extensively offered to avert any hurdles that we might face while we are on the move. These services are proffered because of the reason to avoid our vehicle coming in contact with any technical snags that might take place which in turn, leave the vehicle inactive. You can very well imagine how unfavorable it would be for your pocket when you have to take you vehicle for an expensive repair at an auto repair store. This might prove to be a costly affair for you. There is a wide range of services that are presented to the transmission of your vehicle that would leave it in a perfect condition.

Nothing can contradict the fact that if you want to provide additional care and keep your call well-preserved, then you should never disregard your car's transmission. If you have the gearbox or transmission in a good state, then you can face no problem in changing gears while you are driving and would provide ultimate safety.

What triggers transmission problems?

It's true that an overheated transmission can be the root cause for all kind of problems. Even a minute leak can lead to a transmission overheating and burning up the left over fluid. If the gaskets are exposed to heat and break down, it can cause an adverse effect failing the entire transmission.

Transmission Conservation

It is very crucial for you that you keep an eye on the transmission fluids by examining them properly. But not all the vehicles are equipped with such a condition that it makes convenient for the owner to check the fluids. Nevertheless, you still can keep vigilance whether your car is leaking any fluids where you park it and to take your car to a transmission repair shop for timely checkups.

It is not wise waiting for a severe vehicle problem to occur and it is not a good course of action. A small problem can surely turn into an expensive state of affair. Providentially, the transmission is like the car engine, you need to pay attention and you can avoid most problems pertaining to the transmission break down.

Speedy Brake Centres Ltd. is a Vancouver auto service center that provides quality vehicle repair services all over British Columbia and also deals with auto services center for vehicles.

Understanding Your Vehicle's Springs

There are a multitude of applications for a used coil springs suspension system. The majority of front-wheel-drive vehicles are built with coil springs which are assembled to the strut basically coiling around it. Larger and much heavier duty automobiles place the coils between the chassis and the frame and feature shocks as a completely separate suspension element.

In another popular segment of the aftermarket parts market are coil over shocks. Similar to a strut, the coil wraps around the entire shock but it doesn't usually bolt to the steering knuckle like a strut does. You need to change shocks and struts much more frequently than a regular set of used coil springs, but make sure to thoroughly check the used springs when you decide to replace any suspension components.

Even a good set of used coil springs may become compromised after long periods of time therefore you need to pay attention to the longevity of the springs. Moreover, depending on how they are used on the vehicle, many coil springs can actually last as long as the vehicle can. The reality is that there is not really any sort of expiry date on springs. There are only a few things that you need to pay attention to when inspecting your car or truck's suspension system.

Even though it is the springs that support the entire weight of a car, it is the shocks or struts that hinder the bouncing after encountering rough or uneven terrain. You can test this by simply bouncing the front or the rear end's suspension of your car and count how many bounces take place after you release the car. A total of 2 or more full bounces may mean that you may have very weak shocks or struts. This is when you need to determine the cause of this. The overall age of these parts is likely the determining factor. Coil springs are definitely much more durable than a set of shocks or struts. In many instances simply replacing the shocks or struts will return the vehicle back to its original level of performance.

On the other hand, weak shocks or struts will wear down coil springs if left unattended for an extended period of time. As the coils begin to become weak, you will start to notice thumping sounds or bottoming out more often especially when going over speed bumps. The reason for this is that the coils aren't able to administer stability to the weight of the car anymore.

Furthermore, weakened coils can cause irreparable damage to your car's shocks or struts since their rebound distance will be much higher than the components were designed to handle. Weak coils will ruin the ride height of the automobile and if left unattended may jeopardize the alignment as well. Measuring the ride height of the vehicle and comparing that with the specifications will aid you in figuring out whether the used coils are working properly together with the shocks and struts.

There are some cars that have an extended and well known history of breaking coil springs so these are one to look out for. It can be an extremely hazardous situation depending on the position of the break in the coil spring. Since springs are positioned very close to the tires, it's not rare for a broken spring to rub against the sidewall of a tire and inadvertently puncture it causing a flat tire or even worse a blowout of the tire.

Upon examining a set of used coil springs or used lowering springs, run your hands all the way around the coils from the front all the way to the back. You will notice that some coil springs make us of a protective cover that can conceal the break. However, if you attempt to run your hands around the symmetrical coil you will feel a slight abnormality.

Furthermore, another thing to listen to and look for is a squeaking sound or binding of the strut bearing plate on strut applications. Attempt this by turning the steering wheel back and forth and listening for binding or squeaking sounds. Damaged bearing plates will cause the coil springs to react in ways they were not designed to do and over the course of time wear them out.

An important thing to pay attention to is when you should consider replacing your current coil springs with a set of good quality second hand used springs. You definitely should not replace them each time you replace your shocks or struts. To start off with, inspect the coil springs every time you change any suspension parts. Idler arms, ball joints, pitman arms, tie rod ends and control arms that are damaged in any way can all cause damage on the spring and shock or strut.

Take a moment to measure the ride height of your car, van, truck or SUV, and then compare it with the manufacturer specifications. As the coil spring supports the weight of the vehicle, one that is performing significantly below its' determine specifications may likely have been compromised springs. Additionally, examine in contrast the ride height side to side on the same axle. The coil springs are separate elements and it is plausible that one side can become weak while nothing is wrong with the other side. Even though this may cause one side of the car to sag lower make sure you replace both just in case. A key point is to always change your shocks, struts, coil or leaf springs in complete sets as opposed to individually.

You may well wonder whether you should you always change shocks or struts when replacing your springs with a set of good used springs. Although many people will debate the necessity of it, unless you know how long your existing set of coil springs has been compromised, you need to be aware of the fact that that the shock or strut has taken up the slack of the spring. If you looking for a more comfortable and better performing ride from your vehicle then you definitely need to consider replacing the shocks or struts every time you change to a set of high quality used coil springs. If you are looking to save a buck or two then this option may not be for you. However, you need to realize that you may not be saving money in the long run. Remember, you need to remove coil over shocks and struts and compress them when attempting to remove the coil springs from their assemblies. Therefore, if you choose to cut costs in these situations you may be stuck with additional expensive labour costs or wasted time in attempting only to change to a set of used lowering springs without replacing your shocks or struts.

Visit Used Springs for more information.

Tips on Getting New Car Tyres

Anyone who owns a car will one day be faced with the chore of getting new car tyres. Tyres do not last forever and if you allow them to become too worn you are not only breaking the law, but posing a serious safety hazard to yourself and others. Your car tyres will usually be checked when it is time to register the car; if they are a bit worn, but pass the inspection they may need replacing before the next inspection in twelve month's time. How do you tell if car tyres are worn?

Firstly there will not be much tread, or parts of the tread may be worn. The tread is the part of the tyre that touches the road surface. If the tread is worn the tyre will not be able to grip the road properly. This can lead to skids, aqua-planing in wet conditions and poor braking. Secondly there could be damage to the walls of the tyre. Bulges, splits and wear that expose the inner surface of the tyre all mean that a new tyre is needed immediately.

When you get new car tyres, you usually get the same kind as you already have on the car, especially if you bought the car new. Those tyres will have been fitted at the factory and usually represent a good tyre for general use. But when you buy a used car, it is possible that the factory tyres were replaced long ago and you cannot be sure that similar ones were purchased. They could be budget tyres or perhaps high performance tyres.

It is wise to take advice from the tyre-fitters as they are trained to know what tyres are the best both in value and in reliability. All tyres look about the same to the novice, so when you go to get new tyres and notice that some are really much cheaper than others, you may well be tempted to get the cheaper ones.

However, you have to think more about safety and reliability when it comes to car tyres. Besides which, cheaper tyres will wear out much more quickly and then you'll need to get more, so in the long run they are not likely to be a good deal. The more expensive tyres are made of materials that last a good deal longer than the cheaper ones.

You will also need to take climatic conditions into account when purchasing new car tyres. If you live in an area where snow is normal in winter, or where ice forms on the road on a regular basis, then you should consider getting special winter tyres. These have a much deeper tread and larger surface that helps the tyres grip the road in such conditions and reduces the likelihood of slipping and sliding.

Tyres are classified into three main categories; the speed rating, the size and the load index. High performance tyres are those that give more speed, but they do not grip the road as well. The load index tells you what weight vehicle that the tyre can support, while the size refers to the diameter and width of the tyre. It also takes into account the ratio of one to the other.

Leah is an automotive parts and servicing professional. she in particular specialises in car tyres, mag wheels and wheel alignment. She is a strong advocate for Bridgestone tyres and Pirelli tyres.