Give Your Brakes a Break!

Everybody wants to keep their car as shiny as possible, no doubt ceramic coating Perth will take care of it. Your brakes are without a doubt the most important safety feature on your vehicle. When they don’t work, it puts lives in danger and your vehicle literally becomes a ticking time bomb. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics, there were 6,159,000 auto accidents reported in 2005. Of these, 2.7 million resulted in personal injuries and 43,443 fatalities. Mechanical failures (like bad brakes) are a factor in an estimated 12% to 13% of all auto accidents according to several available sources. Many of those are due to bad brakes because of a lack of proper vehicle maintenance, something that could have been prevented.

Properly functioning brakes take on the job of stopping your vehicle. When you step down on the brake pedal, your car transmits the force from your foot right to the brakes through a fluid – brake fluid. Of course, just your foot isn’t enough force to stop the vehicle, so your car multiplies the force through both mechanical advantage, also known as leverage, and hydraulic force multiplication. The brakes work to transmit the force to your tires through the process of friction. The tires also use friction against the road. There is a little more to it than this, but it can be complicated to the average driver. Most cars actually utilize two or three systems of brakes. You can see a shiny metal disc when you look through the hubcap of your front tire. That is what is known as a disc brake. When you step on the brake pedal, a pad of hard-wearing material clamps onto the brake disc and rubs it to make it slow down-in a similar way to bicycle brakes. Other vehicles may have drum brakes on the back wheels which work with a show that pushes into the wheel and friction then slows you down. No matter what type of brakes you have on your vehicle, once you start accelerating and reach a decent speed, your car has loads of energy with it. When you start to stop, that very energy is converted into heat in your brake pads. Brakes can actually heat up to temperatures of 950 degrees Fahrenheit or more. This said, brakes must be comprised of materials that won’t melt at these temperatures like alloys, ceramics or composites.

Without proper maintenance and repairs, many people don’t know that they’re driving on bad brakes. All too often, people learn only after it is too late and something significant has happened. At the first visible or audible sign of brake issues, it is recommended to get to a trusted auto repair shop. Knowing the signs and symptoms of brake problems will make you a more responsible driver. Signs of bad brakes may include but are not limited to a loud screeching noise, grinding, squealing, rubbing, vibrating, pulling, pulsating, reduced responsiveness, hard or soft brake pedal or the brake light appearing on your dashboard.

If it isn’t what you hear or feel, you should check for brake wear by looking at your brake pads through the spaces between the wheel’s spokes. The outside pad will be pressed against a metal rotor. There should be at least 1/4 inch of pad at all times. When less than 1/4 inch of pad remains, you need to have your brake pads inspected or replaced. A hydraulic system filled with brake fluid triggers a set of padded clamps known as calipers, causing them to squeeze together on a disc known as the rotor. The friction that occurs between the pads and rotor eventually stops the car. All components of a brake system are important.

Even if your rear brakes are the only ones in rough shape, it can still be dangerous. If you have to stop quickly, too much inertia could end up being deadly. You see, braking needs to be done in a balanced way, with about 70-80% of the energy being dissipated by the front brakes and sufficient remaining load on the rear tires to keep the rears under control and the car going straight. If you have no pads on the rears or less than the ΒΌ inch mentioned above, all of the energy has to be taken on by the fronts. If there isn’t sufficient friction on the rear brakes for the rear tires to be grabbing the pavement to ensure proper control, your front brakes and your front tires will be doing more than their share of the work which becomes dangerous and potentially deadly.

There is no universal life expectancy for brakes, brake pads, brake rotors or other braking system components. Just like your own health, habits and maintenance can have a significant impact on how many miles you get out of them. There are, of course, some things that you can do to maintain healthier brakes over time. Experts recommend that you empty your trunk and don’t overload your vehicle, don’t ride the brakes and cause unnecessary friction, try to limit stop-and-go driving, cruise with the pace of traffic, ignore your aggressive driving habits and get your brakes checked annually. Although mechanical failures are involved in only a small percentage of all auto accidents, they still represent a risk factor. In some cases, drivers who caused an accident due to faulty brakes were convicted as negligent and were liable for damages as a result of a lawsuit. You don’t want to be held accountable for something that could be prevented with proper maintain and routine checks, right? After all, the accidents that never happen are the best ones.

Good Works provides honest, professional auto repair services and stands behind every repair. Visit http://www.goodworksautorepair.com today for a complete list of services.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/B._Palmer/718738

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Car Ignition Switch Problems That Locksmiths Can Help You With

Your car ignition switch may be showing signs of failing when you recurrently have problems in starting the vehicle, in that case you will need an urgent electrician Melbourne. A car ignition switch refers to a master switch that provides power to the vehicle’s electrical accessories, fuel and ignition system. Also serving as a theft prevention device, it is important to be watchful of any signs that are can create further problems for your vehicle.

Nonetheless, whenever you come across such a situation, know that Locksmiths in Huntington Beach can help you with the best and prompt services. Here are some common car ignition switch problems that your local professional locksmith can help you with:

Manufacturer’s Defect

This is one of the most common problems associated with car ignitions that stem from day one. However, most people fail to realize that the faulty part in the ignition system is to be blamed for the problem. Many car manufacturers will provide repair or replacement services if the car is still under the warranty period. If not, then you may have to rely upon the services of a local locksmith. Possessing the necessary skills and tools, they are capable of mending all kinds of ignition switches issues.

Insertion of a Wrong Key

Many times, people unintentionally insert the wrong key into the ignition switch. As a result, it may get stuck. If you encounter such a situation, do not try to apply force to pull out the key; you may just end up damaging the entire ignition switch system, irreparably. The best resolution in such a case would be to call a locksmith for immediate help.

Run-Down or Impeded Wafers

A key ignition comprises of a set of wafers that mark with the analogous cuts on the key. Over time, these parts lose their sharpness, as dirt and grit accumulated over it. Consequentially, the switch fails. In such a scenario, all you need to do is get the key cleaned from a professional locksmith or at the most, go for individual wafer replacement.

Transponder Key Fails to Connect with PCM

When you have plans to go out, the last thing you’d want to come across is a key malfunction or a security light. Such problems often erupt when the computer chip loses its programming or has failed to function in totality. Here, you are left with two options. One, re-program the present key; two, replicate the existing cuts and program an entirely new key. A locksmith will provide you with both services in the most convenient manner.

How To Buy The Car Of Your Dreams

Car shopping is something most people have a little trouble with. It’s hard to know just what to watch for in a car. You need to be able to negotiate, as well as other things. Use this guide to make your car buying experience a whole lot easier. Schedule your paint protection every 5 years to maintain your car value.

Do not allow the salesperson to convince you to buy a car that you cannot realistically afford. If you allow it, a salesman will convince you that you need something more expensive or sporty. Salesmen earn money on commission, and some salesmen put their own financial gain before your best interests.

Do you know that it is possible to get yourself a car loan over the Internet without visiting a dealership? Part of the reason it takes so long when you buy a car is that they must check your credit score and secure a lender. If you already have a loan when you walk through the door, you will have a much faster transaction.

If you’re shopping for a used car, try to have it inspected by a mechanic not from the dealership. If the seller or dealer declines, take your business elsewhere. You want someone who has an impartial opinion and is doing things in your best interest.

Take someone along to help you car shop. They can help discern the situation, and they can fill in whichever gaps aren’t your strong points. They can be anyone from your Mom to a coworker.

Make sure that a budget is in place when you are car shopping. When shopping for a vehicle, never pay more than your budget allows, regardless of what the dealer tries to tell you. You are going to be the one who has to pay it off.

Safety features and specifications are extremely important things to consider when shopping for your next vehicle. This includes a great braking system. You should also get as many airbags as possible. Safety is key when you’ll be driving a lot.

Don’t drive an expensive car to the dealership. This type of car will cause the dealership to ignore any low offers you make, unless of course the car is one you are planning on trading.

Although you have a mental picture of the car you desire, it might be unattainable. Perhaps, you can’t get the exact features or color that you are looking for. Missing out on heated seats won’t destroy your driving experience after all.

When you start shopping, it can be helpful to invite an objective friend to accompany you. An objective party will make it easier for you to avoid basing your purchase decision on emotions. Also, they can point out the deficiencies of the car.

Once you find a car you like, make sure you check it all over for any type of damage. Check the outside of the car for scratches and dents. Check the interior area for upholstery tears and carpet stains. Remember, once you make that purchase, the car is yours. Any dents or stains found later will be your responsibility.

Before visiting a dealership, call in advance to find out whether or not your preferred make and model vehicle is on the lot. If you show up, the salesmen will do his best to get you into a car, period. You’ll just be wasting your time if they don’t have the car that you want. Call ahead and find out.

Not all dealerships operate the same way. Although auto sales associates are known for using high pressure tactics, these methods are losing effectiveness. Dealerships have begun to see that friendly sales techniques and satisfied clients are what bring people back year in and year out. You can always remove yourself from a situation involving a pushy salesman. Salespeople are a dime a dozen. There is a quality salesperson who will want to work with you.

Be sure to look for rebates before you go shopping. Many dealers offer rebates at the lot to offer some incentive toward a quick sale. Less ethical dealerships won’t even mention a rebate and then they will take the cash back themselves without you ever knowing.

Wait until you have a firm purchase price negotiated before mentioning your trade in. You might not get the absolute best trade-in price, but you sure got a great deal on the car to offset that. After all is said and done, you’ve been busy all the way up to the sale.

Do not show up at the car dealership dressed to the nines. If you look as though you have a lot of money, a salesman may not be as flexible with the price of the car.

Research is required before going to a dealership. Check into consumer’s magazines and it will help you determine the right car for you. You’ll be able to get all kinds of information. You’ll be saving money and time when you actually arrive at the dealership.

Pick a car that you know needs few repairs and for which those repairs are affordable. You don’t need to give out a bunch of money every month or two just to keep the vehicle going! Find reviews online to determine which vehicles may meet your needs without requiring repairs.

Prior to making a deal on a used car, make sure a mechanic inspects it first. This way, you can find out whether there are any problems with the car before you buy it. If it does have problems, you’ll be able to move on and look for a car that doesn’t.

Never be overly anxious when dealing a car salesperson. They will see you’re desperate and try to pressure-sell you a poor vehicle. Rather, make it seem as though you can take as much time as you need.

With any luck, these tips have helped you to feel more confident and comfortable with the car buying process. It shouldn’t be hard when you use these tips. Your hard work will pay off once you get a new car. Don’t hesitate; go car shopping today.