How Do You Know When You Need New Brakes?

Ever wonder how do you know when you need new brakes?  One sure sign is if it is taking you are sliding to a stop at red lights even though you are pressing hard on the brake pedal.  If this is happening, it may be time for a brake replacement.    

Unfortunately, there is no stated schedule in your owner’s manual as to when brakes should be replaced.  It mainly depends on how your brakes are wearing, which is largely determined by your driving style and conditions.  

So how do you know when you need new brakes? Here are six obvious signs to watch out for:

• Noisy brakes – Screeching sounds or a metal-on-metal grinding sound is created when the built-in wear sensors scrape against the brake disc when the pads need replacing. 
• Vibrating – A warped disc will cause the brake pedal to pulsate under light or moderate braking.
• Leaking brake fluid – A scorching smell while driving could mean brake fluid is leaking onto the hot motor.
• Longer stopping distances – If you have to push the brake pedal down to the floor, it is taking you too long to come to a stop. Because brake linings wear gradually, it could reach the risky stage before you notice it.
• Steering problems – If the steering wheel tugs or the car pulls to one side or the other while braking, the front brake pads are worn down too far.
• Dash Warning light – Newer cars have electronic-wear indicators if the pads wear down to a specified measurement.  However, a visual checkup is still the best way to check the condition of your brakes.

Tip to remember:  Ask for a brake inspection at every tire rotation service (about every six months).

Wondering how do you know when you need new brakes?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about a brake replacement and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and surrounding area.

Wondering How Often Do You Need Your Car Serviced?

Like most motorists, you want to take good care of your vehicle and may wonder how often do you need your car serviced?  It is quite simple--follow the suggested maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual for your car.  Each service item will be listed along with the appropriate time or mileage interval that it should be taken care of.

There are two different ways in which you will be reminded as to when to get your car serviced:

• Mileage-Based Service Intervals The service intervals for older cars are normally based on mileage. There are usually two different maintenance schedules listed in your owner’s manual--one for cars driven in “normal” operating conditions and one for cars driven in “severe” operating conditions.  Severe driving condition is normally defined as primarily short trips of five miles or less, extreme hot or cold climates, stop-and-go driving, towing a trailer or carrying heavy loads.  
• In-vehicle Maintenance Reminder Systems Newer cars are now equipped with an in-vehicle maintenance reminder system.  This reminder system relieves the driver of watching odometer for a certain mileage. They take a number of car operating conditions into account and offer an alert on the dash when it is time for an engine oil change, fluid level checks, component checkups, and other vehicle maintenance services. 

Tip to Remember:  Find a reliable car repair shop and auto technician for basic vehicle maintenance before you really want them for a major car repair.

Wondering how often do you need your car serviced?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about our car repair services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and surrounding area.

Wondering What causes the Check Engine light to come on?

Wondering what causes the Check Engine light to come on or start blinking all of a sudden?  Do you want to stop instantly and call a tow truck, or can you keep on driving to your destination?  This little warning light can mean various things, from a loose gas cap to a more serious misfiring engine. It could also be an indication that your vehicle is getting poor fuel economy and polluting the environment more than approved limits.  Though, the critical factor is to make sure that long-term damage is not taking place in your engine and that the driving safety of your vehicle is not compromised.

So, what causes the check engine light to come on?  When the electronic-control system finds an issue it cannot adjust, the vehicle’s computer stores a diagnostic trouble code in its memory and turns on a warning indicator light. This stored code helps your mechanic pinpoint the source of a potential issue.  It may simply be that a sensor is malfunctioning, or it could be more serious, such as low oil pressure or the engine overheating.  It can be caused by an issue in the ignition system, the fuel system, or damage to the internal components of the engine.

The best way to diagnose and repair an engine issue is to ask your mechanic to run a diagnostic test.  From the report generated, the issue can be confirmed and the required repair be performed.  Misdiagnosing or ignoring an engine issue can become very expensive later on.  To maintain driving safety, good fuel efficiency, and a longer life for your vehicle do not put off taking care of engine repair problems.

Need to know more about what causes the Check Engine light to come on?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about engine repair and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

Are you wondering when should you replace tires?

There are a few signs that are indicators as to when you should replace tires.  There are some factors that determine the lifetime of a tire.

• Design of the tire, 
• Driving habits, 
• Climate, 
• Road conditions, and 
• Maintenance, such as periodic tire rotation.

As the miles add up on your tires, keep these tips in mind:

1. Note 5 Years - After five years or so, make sure to have your tires thoroughly checked at least once a year by a tire repair technician.
2. Maximum of 10 years - As a precaution, replace your tires after 10 years even if they appear to be in usable condition and have not worn down to the tread wear indicator. 
3. Proper care - You can increase the lifetime of your tires by maintaining the correct air pressure, periodic tire rotation, and regular inspections for tread wear and damaged areas.

If you are starting to notice vibrations or other issues while driving, slow down and drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road.  If a tire is damaged, replace it with your spare and then drive to the nearest tire repair shop for a thorough inspection. Has your whole vehicle checked if you can’t identify the source of the vibration?  It could be an axle going bad.

Remember:  Tire maintenance is one of the most critical and important aspects for maintaining a safe vehicle.

Have questions about how when should you replace tires?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about tire rotation and other tire services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

Wondering when should transmission fluid be changed?

You may be wondering just what is the purpose of transmission fluid?  It keeps the surfaces and components of the transmission system lubricated to prevent excessive friction and overheating that would lead to transmission issues.  It also serves as a viscous fluid that transmits power from the engine to the transmission.  

So, when should transmission fluid be changed?  Technically, transmission fluid could remain in your vehicle without ever changing it.  Though, you will find that most auto repair mechanics advise that you should have a transmission flush about every 50,000 miles.  Over time, the components of transmission will wear out and start to present issues, such as the problems described below:

1. Delayed Shifting.  There may be a temporary delay after you move the gear stick to reverse. The gear change cannot be activated instantly if there isn’t sufficient pressure. 
2. Difficult or Erratic Shifting.  If there is a lot of dirt or residue in the transmission fluid, the gears will either change too fast or too slow. Other symptoms include abrupt up/down shifts, unusually high RPMs before a shift, erratic shifting, and groaning or grinding noise coming from the transmission.  
3. Gear Slippage.  You may change gear, but then it appears to fall back out of that gear. The friction material on the clutches and transmission bands are no longer able to securely engage a gear. 
4. Transmission Overheats.  In an automatic, the transmission fluid keeps the transmission unit from overheating.  If overheating occurs, pull over instantly and let everything cool down. If the temperatures get to be over 240°F, serious damage could have taken place inside the transmission unit.

Tip to Remember:  At least once a month, have the transmission fluid inspected to see if it has the appropriate level or it still effective.  If you put a lot of miles on your vehicle or tow heavy loads, have it inspected at least every two weeks. 

Wondering when should transmission fluid be changed?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about transmission repair and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

Do you know why oil changes are important?

If you need to keep your vehicle for a while, you should understand why oil changes are important.  It is crucial for the health of your engine, saving you money in the long run by preventing major repair.  You don’t save money by neglecting regular oil changes or by stretching out the suggested mileage interval because engine repair is far more expensive than regular oil changes.

Here are five problems to consider regarding oil changes:

1. Understand the purpose of oil.  Oil lubricates the engine so that its parts don’t grind against each other; keeps the engine from overheating; and carries away dirt, dust, and other contaminants that would otherwise clog engine parts.
2. Changing the Oil and Filter.  The oil change interval will vary depending on the model of your vehicle, its age, the type of oil used, and your driving conditions. It used to be usual to change oil every 3,000 miles, but with modern lubricants, many engines today have suggested oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. If your car requires full-synthetic motor oil, you may go as far as 15,000 miles between services!
3. Dashboard Warning Light.   Several vehicles have the dashboard light programmed to come on automatically at 3,000-5,000 miles after the last oil change. Don’t rely on that light as in some cars, particularly older ones, that light might not come on until the level of oil is too low.  It’s vital to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation of oil change intervals listed in your owner’s manual.
4. Viscosity of the Oil.  The viscosity codes (for example, 10W-40) tell you how viscous (how thick or how thin) the oil is in hot and cold weather. Again, it’s vital to follow the recommendations stated in the owner’s manual for the viscosity preferred in particular driving conditions.
5. Conventional, Premium, and Synthetic Oils.  Typically, synthetic oil is required in certain high-tech engines.  Traditional engines will typically use conventional oil. Premium oil offers extra additives that may be useful for special driving wants. There are also blends that combine synthetic and premium conventional oils.  Be sure to ask your mechanic for recommendations on what is best for your vehicle.

Need to know more about why oil changes are important?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for information about our oil change coupons and to Make an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

Wondering about How Often Should You Replace A Car Battery?

As one of the most vital parts of a vehicle, the battery powers a multitude of tasks and devices, from starting the engine to powering in-car computers.  Auto shop owners state that one of the top causes for roadside assistance is a dead car battery.  Most of the time, the battery is too old for the job it’s supposed to perform.

After 4 or 5 years, most car batteries will be almost completely untrustworthy.  It’s may be shocking to hear, but many batteries become inefficient within just 3 years in usual everyday conditions, even with correct maintenance.  This time of year it’s good to know that cold weather adds a two-fold strain on the battery by reducing its power output and by increasing the amps wanted to crank a cold engine.

So are you left wondering how often should you replace a car battery?  Consider these four problems when deciding if a car battery replacement might be compulsory:

• Accessories that have important power demands, like headlights, may not function as well as they should.
• Newer cars have powerful computers that are operating all the time, even when the car is turned off.  These computers can draw energy from the battery at a slow, stable rate. 
• A battery could go from 90% performance to 20% over the course of a few months so have frequent inspections of your charging system.
• Cars with stop-start technology often want a special battery as it ensures a greater strain than usual vehicles.

Note to Remember:  A car battery replacement is relatively cheap to avoid the stress and hazards of a roadside breakdown.

Do you need to know how often should you replace a car battery?  Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about a car battery replacement and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.