Category: Maintenance

How Often Should You Replace Brake Pads?

8/10/2020

Drum brake replacement

Brakes are your car's fundamental safety feature, and they are one of the parts created to wear down. But have you asked yourself, "How often should you replace brake pads? This article will tell you all you need to know regarding the regularity of brake service.

How Often Should You Replace Brake Pads: First How Do Brakes Work?

First, let's determine what happens when you use the brakes. Brakes are a system. There isn't one component in a vehicle you can refer to as a brake. To help you realize what type of wear your car's brakes will suffer, here is a quick look at how brakes work.

Your auto has two types of brakes: front and rear brakes. Front brakes use rotors as a braking gadget. Rear brakes might use rotors, although several manufacturers put in enlarging drum brakes to reduce production prices.

When you press the brake, it absorbs the fluid and drives it through a host of tubes. As the brake fluid comes to the front wheels, it triggers a caliper that presses the brake pads on both sides of the rotor, building resistance and making it slow down its motion.

For the back wheels, the brake fluid travels to the wheel cylinder in the drum, making the brake shoes go toward the rotating drum. The brake drums slow down and stop.

There are numerous parts prone to wear in a brake system. Brake shoes and brake pads are the best candidates for replacement. When they wear down, the next system components to experience destruction are drums and rotors. If changes aren't made to the brake shoes and pads in a timely fashion, you'll have costly repairs.

The Causes of Rapid Brake Wear

Traveling on the roads with a lot of sharp turns and steep hills
Suddenly go and stop driving
Riding your brakes
Driving in heavy traffic with frequent braking
Buy inexpensive braking system parts

The less stress you put on your braking unit, the more time you can go without needing brake service.
To learn more about your braking system and when to replace your brake components, contact Buffalo Roadside Assistance.

4 Reasons Why My Check Engine Light Came On

6/22/2020

Uh oh, my check engine light came on. You possibly feel a sense of dread. No worries. Continue reading below to get a clue of what could be wrong.

My Check Engine Light Came On: What's Wrong?

The check engine light brightens when your auto's computer thinks there is an issue that might affect your vehicle's emissions control system.

When the light illuminates, a few diagnostic problem codes are in the vehicle's computer. These codes remain there even if the light disappears. To deal with a check engine light problem, you or your auto technician can get the codes by using a scanner and then troubleshooting to discover the issue.

Don't mistake the check engine light with the service or maintenance light. These lights brighten for expected routine services. Mileage and gas usage generate service lights. Get it analyzed by a mechanic.

What's Next: My Check Engine Light is On

Below are some typical situations:

The Check Engine Light Flashes.

If the check engine light flashes in the city but goes off on the highway, then the issue is only occurring in city driving conditions. Pay attention to whether or not your car works any differently when you see the light.

If you detect a difference, drive the car as little as possible and bring it to your mechanic. In this condition, you run the risk of your car dying. You don't want to be stuck on the side of the road, waiting for towing service.

The Check Engine Light Comes On and the Light Remains Lit.

If the check engine light is on continuously while driving with no visible issues, there is a fault in the emission control system. When this occurs, the computer that powers the emissions system will have your automobile working in a couple of lower gears. This idea is called "limp-home mode." Get your vehicle serviced immediately.

The Check Engine Light Remains On and there are Performance Issues.

This statement means that a crucial part of your emission control system has a significant issue. It typically is a component the automobile needed to function. In many instances, the car is not safe to drive at all. It can stop at any minute. It's advised to pull over to a safe spot and call emergency towing service.

Common Causes of a Check Engine Light

Numerous issues can cause your check engine light to illuminate, such as loose gas cap, bad spark plug wires, and bad oxygen sensor. Call Buffalo Roadside Assistance to identify your problem accurately.

What Is A Normal Car Battery Lifespan?

5/18/2020

When talking about vehicle maintenance, numerous factors detect normalcy in theory but seldom come to pass. For example, a car battery lifespan is four years. Though, in the real world, vibration, aftermarket navigation systems, and temperature extremes all take a toll on the battery.

If you look at a typical car battery, it's simple to see why these things affect a healthy battery life. In the plastic box are plates of materials like lead dioxide and lead. The plates are floating in a mix of sulfuric acid and water, creating an electrolytic solution. This solution lets electrons travel between the plates.

Negative Impacts on Car Batteries

Numerous factors disturb a battery's chemical reaction. A poorly secured batter or vibrations from rough travel can damage or loosen the plates. Extreme quickens the chemical reaction, reducing battery life. Extreme cold can extend battery life by decelerating the result. Some batteries are protected by insulation to keep dangerous temperatures at bay.

Driving style can affect the reaction as well. Starting a vehicle takes a big jolt of electricity. Therefore, the charging system must step in to reload the battery. If you make a good number of short trips or short commutes, the battery never becomes fully charged. This consistent state of undercharging produces acid stratification.

The light acid layer will start to destroy the plates. The heavy acid solution will begin to counterbalance the car's electrical needs by operating harder than constructed to work. The effect is briefer battery life, even if the battery displays as working on regular tests.

Signs of Car Battery Problems

Batteries are so simple and so dependable that drivers tend to forget they're even there until it's too late. If you regularly check your car's battery, you'll lessen your risk of being stuck on the road. Batteries are very affordable, considering the amount of work they do.

The most apparent sign of a battery issue is a dead battery. Though a dead battery could be a sign of a deeper problem. If something is wrong in the electrical system, a working battery might be giving less electricity than necessary.

The best way to test a car battery is with the electronic tester at many auto parts stores. You can also call us at Buffalo Roadside Assistance. Our expert can hook the tester to the battery in the automobile. It takes a photo of your battery's condition and suggests whether it needs replacing.

What Are The Signs Of A Bad Battery?

4/6/2020

There is no feeling quite like that sinking one you get when you start your car up, and nothing happens. You do it again and again. Nothing happens. Then you know. Your battery is dead. Yes, it is one of the worst feelings on earth. But it is also avoided. You have to keep your ears and eyes open to recognizing the signs of a bad battery.

Signs of a Bad Battery:

Slow Engine Crank

It takes lots of energy to start a car. The battery creates all the energy. Once the vehicle is going, the alternator keeps the car battery running. When you put the key in your car, the battery is the only component starting the engine.

If the battery is fading out, you might notice that the engine cranks slower than average. You must pick up on that warning sign. If the engine does not crank at all, it will just click. You should get the battery tested and a new one if needed.

Electrical Components Problems

Besides powering the engine, the car battery must create enough juice to run all the different electronic parts in your car. In modern vehicles, there are several electronic accessories such as the radio, dashboard lights, power windows, power seats, windshield wipers, and headlights. All these parts are run off the electricity from the battery.

Warning Light

Numerous vehicles have a dashboard warning light. The light brightens when the battery doesn't refuel correctly. The warning light also means there is an issue with the alternator. If the light comes on, arrange to have a certified auto professional, examine it, and decide what the problem is.

Old Age

Usually, a car battery lasts about four years. This life expectancy changes based number of deep discharges or extreme temperature exposure. It is an excellent idea to get the car battery tested by an auto professional. If you are unsure of the age of the battery, you should be able to locate the manufacture date on the battery case.

Don't get stuck on the street with a bad battery. Contact us at Buffalo Roadside Assistance when you need a jump start.

How To Tell If You Need New Tires

12/16/2019

Tires wear over time. Therefore, it's critical to know how to tell if you need new tires. You want to replace them before something dreadful happens. A sudden tire failure can have grave consequences, particularly at highway speeds or in an SUV or truck. Performing a routine check of your tires can help you see any warning signs.

How to Tell If You Need New Tires: Signs

Look for Tread Wear Patterns
Several various scenarios can make your tires wear out, misaligned, or underinflated. Keeping your tires inflated and frequently rotated can help reduce your chances of uneven or premature wear.

Sidewall Cracks
Tire destruction can also be in the sidewall. To see it, look for cuts or cracks in the sidewall. There will be ruts that are big enough to be seen with just a glance. Sidewall cracks are an indication that your tire is getting a leak.

Blisters and Bulges
If the outer surface of the tire starts to weaken, blisters or bulges from the tire's surface appear. These weak spots make a tire to blow out quickly. Therefore, keep your eye on tire blisters and bulges. Schedule an appointment if you begin to see anything on the tires' surfaces.

Too Much Vibration
Some vibration is unavoidable. As a motorist for some time, you know how much vibration is correct and how much indicates something is not right. There can also be an issue inside the tire. Even if the tire isn't the cause of the issue, the vibration can harm the tire.

Correctly balanced wheels can reduce tire wear, minimize steering wheel vibration, enhance driver safety, and increase fuel efficiency. Tires in good shape deliver a comfortable and smooth ride.

If you are feeling some vibrations through your seat or in your steering wheel, your tires might be unbalanced.

Contact us at Buffalo Roadside Assistance if you find yourself having tire problems, and you have to pull over. What you don't want to happen is the tire blow out while you are driving down the road.

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How Often Should You Replace Brake Pads?

4 Reasons Why My Check Engine Light Came On

What Is A Normal Car Battery Lifespan?

What Are The Signs Of A Bad Battery?

How To Tell If You Need New Tires

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