Tag: brakes

The Benefits of Brake Repair

Car BrakesThey say that in Minnesota, we really only experience two driving seasons – Winter and Construction. You may prefer one to the other, but something you need during both seasons is a great pair of brakes. Whether the roads are icy or you happen across a pothole repair crew, you’ll want to make sure you can stop in time to keep you and everyone else on the road safe.

Bad Brakes

There are a lot of ways to tell if you need new brakes or if there is a larger problem at hand. Does your car:

  • Make a grinding noise while stopping?
  • Seem to “pulse” or feel “herky jerky” while braking?
  • Need a lot of foot pressure to come to a complete stop?
  • Make noises while braking at high speeds, or right at the end of your complete stop.

If any of the above conditions are present, make sure you get your car into a shop right away. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse.

Pads and Rotors

As we explained in depth on a previous post, there are two main components at work while you’re braking – Break pads and Rotors.

When you apply the break, your break pads clamp down on the spinning rotor. The kinetic energy from the rotors is converted into thermal energy as the pads slow the rotor. Your forward momentum gets turned into heat as you brake, and if you brake too hard too often, you can damage your pads and rotors.

Like any car part, replacing it before it causes a bigger problem is key when it comes to brake pads and rotors. Take your car in as soon as you hear a grinding noise or feel a difference while breaking, or better yet, replace them at regular intervals. Generally, break pads should be replaced every 15,000-25,000 miles, while rotors should be swapped out every 50,000-75,000 miles.

So if you’re planning a summer road trip or just want to do more driving now that the weather is nice, make sure your brakes are in tip-top shape. Our mechanics know what to look for and can have your brakes back in perfect order in no time. For more information or to schedule a brake inspection, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Top 4 Car Repairs you Shouldn’t Skip

It’s a fact of life that cars break down over time. But if you take good care of your vehicle and keep up with routine repairs and maintenance, you can extend the life of your vehicle. Most people don’t even think about vehicle maintenance until something goes wrong. Following repair procedures can also help avoid a vehicle breakdown. With that in mind, here are 4 car repairs that you shouldn’t skip.

1. Oil Change

There is a lot of confusion about how often you should change the oil in your car. Every 3,000 miles? Every 5,000 miles? The truth is there is no universal answer to this question since every car is different. When to get your oil change depends on numerous factors such as:

  • Driving conditions
  • Driving frequency
  • Vehicle age

But the bottom line is that your car’s engine needs oil to run smoothly. It’s absolutely essential to get your oil changed in order to keep your vehicle running at top performance levels.

2. Tire Check & Rotation

Since the weight of any vehicle is not distributed evenly across all 4 wheels, certain tires will wear out quicker than others. This is why it’s important to have your tires rotated. Your vehicle owner’s manual should have instructions on when and how exactly to rotate your tires. Or you can bring your car in and have your tires checked and rotated by an auto professional.

3. Brakes & Brake Pads

Brakes are one of the most essential elements of your vehicle. Checking your vehicle’s brakes is an obvious safety precaution. An auto technician can examine your brakes and brake pads and catch any flaws before they break down while you’re driving.

4. Fluids

This includes brake fluid, transmission fluid, and coolant – all important for keeping your vehicle running efficiently. These fluids can run low or deteriorate over time. Make sure you keep an eye on your fluid levels and ask an auto mechanic if you are unsure about anything.