Shenango Honda

Checking Brakes Frequently Saves Money and Lives

When it comes to vehicle safety, the brakes top the list of systems that need to be routinely inspected and repaired immediately should motorists suspect any problems. According to the Car Care Council, a properly operating brake system helps ensure safe vehicle operation and control under a variety of conditions. However, many people are unaware of the signs and symptoms that their brake system may need maintenance or repair.

"Brakes are a normal wear item for any car and eventually they're going to need to be replaced for both performance and safety reasons," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "Never put off routine brake inspections or any needed repair, as letting the brakes get to the 'metal-to-metal' point is potentially dangerous and can lead to a more costly repair bill."

Symptoms of Brake Wear:

• Car pulls to one side during braking
• Brake pedal pulsates when the brakes are applied
• Brake pedal feels "mushy"
• Noise when the brake pedal is stepped on
• Repeatedly need to add brake fluid to the master cylinder

Several factors that affect brake wear include driving habits, operating conditions, vehicle type and the quality of the brake lining material.

A professional service technician will inspect the brake linings, drums and rotors, and brake fluid to determine what repairs are needed. The typical "brake job" consists of brake pad and/or shoe replacement, along with related hardware. Depending on the condition or thickness of the drums or rotors, machining or replacement may be necessary. The parking brake should also be checked for proper operation and adjustment. In some cases, the parking brake shoes/pads may need replacement.

Questions to Ask our Technicians:

• Is there anything I can do to help the brakes on my car last longer?

• How does the work being performed eliminate the symptoms my car exhibited or my complaint?

• Are there any related services my car needs while this service is being performed?

• What does the brake warning light mean on my car's dashboard?

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Avoid speeding and sudden accelerations; both habits guzzle gas. When waiting for friends or family, shut off the engine. Consolidate daily errands to eliminate unnecessary driving.Remove excess items from the vehicle, since less weight means better mileage. Remove roof-top luggage carriers after vacations to reduce air drag.

'Green' Tips for Your Vehicle

Alternate-fueled and hybrid vehicles are gaining market share but still account for a relatively small percentage of vehicles on the road. Someday all of us may be driving pollution-free, hydrogen-powered cars. But what's a concerned consumer to do in the meantime?

Motorists who want to go 'green' don't have to wait to help the environment. By changing a few habits, motorists can begin helping the environment right away, say the experts at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

ASE recommends regular vehicle maintenance and better driving habits as two easy-to-implement strategies. What's more, better automotive habits will help your vehicle last longer and command a better resale price as well.

The following tips from ASE can put you on the road to environmentally conscious car care:

Keep the engine running at peak performance - a misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30%. Replace filters and fluids as recommended in the manual.

Today's vehicles have much cleaner tailpipe emissions than they did thirty years ago. But a poorly running engine or faulty exhaust system will cause your vehicle to pollute much more than it would otherwise. Don't ignore that "Service Engine" light.

Keep tires properly inflated and aligned to reduce the engine's effort and, thus, gasoline consumption. What's more, your tires will last longer too, saving you money and easing the burden at recycling centers.

Have your vehicle's air conditioner serviced only by a technician certified to handle and recycle refrigerants. Older air conditioners contain ozone-depleting chemicals, which could be released into the atmosphere through improper service.

Avoid speeding and sudden accelerations; both habits guzzle gas. When waiting for friends or family, shut off the engine. Consolidate daily errands to eliminate unnecessary driving.