Are Your Car’s Brakes About To Fail?

Most of us take our vehicle’s brakes for granted. We rely upon them every time we drive, yet neglect to think about them until we notice problems. Even when warning signs manifest, we ignore them, hoping they’ll dissipate. Wear and tear only grows worse with time; eventually, braking systems fail entirely and put the driver, passengers, and other motorists at risk.

Fortunately, your car has ways of alerting you when its brakes are having problems. It’s important to be able to identify the telltale signs before small issues grow into major repair bills. Below, I’ll provide a roadmap of the warning signs your vehicle will produce when the braking assembly is in need of attention.

Warning Signs That Suggest A Problem

There are a number of ways in which your car’s braking ability can suffer. First, consider how your vehicle comes to a stop. The pads squeeze the rotor, slowing it down. Friction generates heat. After years of operation, it’s not uncommon for the recurring exposure to heat to harden the pads. That affects the pads’ ability to grab the rotor effectively.

That same intense heat can also create hot spots on the rotor itself. These hot spots create resistance to the friction generated by the pads. That prevents the braking assembly from slowing your vehicle properly.

Another warning sign is squealing. When the pads wear down, there’s generally more metal exposed. As they clamp down onto the metal rotor, the friction between the exposed metal produces a squeal. If you hear it, don’t ignore it. The pads need to be replaced. If you wait, you’ll eventually hear grinding, which can damage your rotor.

Let’s return to the heat created by friction within your braking assembly. As noted, it can cause hardening in the pads as well as hot spots on the rotor. It can also cause warping on the latter. The warping manifests as a pulsing feeling when you press your brake pedal. If you feel it, that usually means you’ll need to have a mechanic resurface the rotor.

If your car has disc brakes, you might hear a clicking sound while driving. This issue has been around for decades and it’s relatively easy to resolve. It happens due to the loose-fitting caliper that helps the discs apply pressure to the rotor. Even though automakers install connecting devices that are supposed to tighten the fit, they wear down and crumble over time. When they do, you’ll hear clicking.

Watch Your ABS Indicator

Most vehicles that come off the factory floor today are equipped with anti-lock brakes. If anything goes wrong with them, an ABS indicator light will display on the dashboard. The issue that triggers the light might be minor (for example, a worn plug) or serious. If you notice it, have an auto technician take a look. Not only can you catch problems before they turn into expensive repair bills, but you’ll ensure the safety of yourself and your passengers.

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Car Care Tips to Save You Gas!

We all know that having a regularly serviced and tuned car leads to savings on gas with enhanced fuel economy but what many fail to realize is they can help save on gas and money by performing a few, simple and easy car care steps themselves.

Tighten Up the Gas Cap

Every time we fill up at the pump we slap the gas cap back on and give it a turn usually until we hear the “click” and then forget about it.  Make sure you have the cap on firmly and tightly so it as airtight as you can make it without threading the plastic cap itself.  The reason is simple, gas evaporates and even a slight failure to provide an airtight seal with your gas cap will result in wastage for no value whatsoever.

Screw the cap on firmly and tightly and check it every day.

Don’t Top Off the Tank

Many people do this when they are at the gas pump – the nozzle clicks off but they insist on putting in the last few drops of gas to get the tank literally full to the brim.

This is a complete waste of gas as most of it will slop over the brim, running down the paintwork (helping cause discoloration and damage) as well as over your hands which is dangerous and no good for them.

When the gas pump nozzle clicks off, you are safely full – put the gas nozzle back in its holder and do not top off your tank.

Use Lower Octane Fuel

Every gas station has higher octane fuels offering better engine and car performance or less wear and tear on the engine.

This is a myth – ignore these claims and fill up with the cheaper lower octane fuels; unless you have a very high performance vehicle you will never experience any material difference in performance or engine wear and for the average motorist this is a waste of money.

Park in the Shade

Many drivers do this automatically because they have children or pets or quite simply do not like coming back to a vehicle that feels like a sauna, but there is another good reason for making sure you park your vehicle under cover.

The hotter the car is the faster the gas in your fuel tank will evaporate!

Always park in shade and keep the vehicle cooler which will lead to more comfort for you and your passengers as well as less strain on your wallet.

Use Your Garage

Parking the car in the garage helps keep the vehicle cool in summer and warm in winter.  This helps reduce your use of the gas-chugging air conditioner or defroster and results in less gas consumption as well as enhanced security for your vehicle and less likelihood of dings and dents caused by the neighborhood kids playing ball nearby.

As you can see, these are all very simple and easy to do tips – there is no extra effort or money involved and the savings are immediate – star them today!

About the Author

Ryan Draving is the VP of Empire Covers, a leading provider of car covers, truck covers, boat covers, and other vehicle covers. Empire Covers can be found online at: EmpireCovers.com .

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Used Auto Dealership Swindles To Watch For

In a recent article, I described a few common pitfalls that regularly entrap unwary car buyers. Those pitfalls are normally found at new car dealerships. Today, we’ll switch gears and focus our attention on independent dealerships that specialize in selling used vehicles. There are a number of potential traps (some are illegal) that can turn an automotive bargain into a nightmare. Below, I’ll describe two of them and explain how you can avoid them when buying your next automobile.

Improper Title Ownership

Auto dealers who are struggling with cash flow issues are occasionally tempted to sell vehicles off their lots without actually having the associated titles. Here’s how it works: the dealer may borrow a large sum (potentially in the millions of dollars) from a “flooring agent” in order to stock his lot with inventory. When a car is sold, the flooring agent is paid and the title is transferred to the dealer. Then, the title is given to the buyer.

Sometimes, the dealer fails to pay the flooring agent, even after an automobile has been sold. As a result, the title is not transferred. Eventually, the buyer visits the lot in order to pick up the title only to discover the dealer has pulled the same scam on others and closed up shop.

When you purchase a used vehicle, ask to see the title before driving off the lot.

Salvaging Totaled Automobiles

This happens often at independent lots. A wrecked vehicle is made to appear in good condition in order to sell it. For example, the exterior may get a new coat of paint, minor body work (to fix dents, dings, and scratches) is performed, and new tires are put on. Meanwhile, major problems caused by a past flooding incident or severe accident are lurking beneath the shiny surface. When the automobile is purchased (”as is,” of course), the buyer is in for a world of heartache down the road.

Before purchasing a used model, take it for a thorough test drive. Also, have a trusted mechanic perform an inspection of the parts and systems under the hood. He’ll be able to identify hidden problems quickly. If the car has been in an accident, the mechanic will be able to see the repair work.

Moving Forward Carefully

In many ways, purchasing a used car from an independent dealership carries the same risks as buying it from a private party. You want to be sure that the vehicle hasn’t been in a major accident in the past. You also want access to the title after you make your purchase. By knowing what pitfalls to watch for, you can easily sidestep them on your way to finding a great bargain on a used vehicle.

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