Car Safety – Page 3 – Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop

Tag: Car Safety (page 3 of 3)

Brake Maintenance Guide

The interior setup of your car’s braking system is quite complex and surprisingly very easy to maintain. A braking mechanism is essential to your car’s performance and your safety. If it fails at any time, you could face consequences of your neglect. Here is a step-by-step guide for you to follow and learn basic maintenance of your car’s braking system so that you’re prepared.

Inspect the Brakes and Brake Pads

The first step is to check the brakes and brake pads of your car. If either is worn out, it is time to get them replaced. A general rule of the thumb is to get the brake pads checked once every year. If they are too worn out, replace them with new ones to ensure smooth performance for your vehicle.

2. Check the Brake Fluid

Your brake fluid is responsible for the transfer of heat generated throughout your car’s system. If you see that your brake fluid is of a dark color, it is time to get it changed. It’s best to flush the brake fluid out to avoid any sort of moisture build-up which is damaging to the car. Then, fill the brake oil after bleeding the brake lines to avoid any excess air into the system.

3. Upgrade the Brakes

Technology has introduced easy updates that you can do to improve the condition and overall performance of your car. If you are at the mechanic’s shop for replacing the brakes, consider upgrading them. Ceramic brake pads are quieter and produce less brake dust. Similarly, you can opt for slotted disc brakes since they are more heat resistant and durable than traditional parts.

Conclusion

Your brakes are your first line of defense against any sort of road accident. Keeping them in top form is essential for your safety and car’s performance. If you don’t have time to look after your braking system, hire the professionals at Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop to do it for you. We provide professional mechanical services specializing in brakes and alignment of vehicles. Give us a call 817-834-2725 at for any assistance and check out our website to see a comprehensive list of services.

Emergency Brakes 101

September 24, 2021 / admin / 0 Comments

In a car, there are two brake systems: the primary brakes and the emergency brakes (secondary). Primary brakes use hydraulic pressure to slow down a car while the emergency brakes is completely independent and is instead engaged by levers or cables. If your primary brakes ever fail, this functions as a backup plan to stop your car, hence the name “emergency”. However, many drivers believe that it’s exactly that and only to be used in dire situations. The reality is that you should be using your emergency brakes much more often than you do now. Continue reading to learn more about its functions.

Types of Emergency Brakes

Depending on the model and make of the vehicle, it may have a different type of emergency brake than others. Here are the four main types of emergency parking brakes:

Center lever – Found in most vehicles, the center lever is located next to the driver’s seat.
Pedal – This is a small pedal positioned on the floor next to the gas, brake, and clutch pedals.
Push button – Usually located with the other console controls and is typically an electronic system.
Stick lever – This is found in many older vehicles and is commonly located under the instrument panel.

When Should I Use It?

Your primary brakes are designed to slow your car to a stop, while the emergency brake is designed to hold your car in place. When your primary brakes fail or when you’re trying to stop before a collision, engaging your emergency brakes can help you regain control of your car in extreme situations.

While parking brakes are often referred to as “emergency”, it’s actually recommended to use them for regular parking. Using them while parking on hills is a standard practice, but you should also use them while parking on flat land. It gives your parked car added stability and decreases the chances of it from rolling when hit.

It’s also very beneficial to use them every once in a while because it prevents rust from forming and negatively affecting their performance when it counts. Not to mention, it actually takes a lot of stress off of your transmission and parking pawl. The parking pawl is a hammer-shaped pin that locks up your transmission when you put your car into park. If you think about it, this parking pawl is the only thing stopping your car from rolling away while you’re parked. Engaging your emergency parking brake is a good added measure.

How to Use It

A common mistake that people make is putting their car into park before engaging the emergency brake. The correct order is to first come to a complete stop with your primary brakes, set your emergency brake, and then put your car into park before turning off the engine. When you engage your emergency brake, the discs inside your rear wheels expand and squeeze against the inner wheel. This keeps your tires from spinning and prevents your car from rolling away. Always remember to release it before you start driving again because driving with it on can damage your car.

Conclusion

Your emergency brakes can be handy in even ordinary situations. However, if you find yourself experiencing any issues or notice anything concerning with your brakes, it’s time to rely on the professionals. At Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop, we care about your vehicle’s safety and are here to provide a reliable and affordable service. Call 817-834-2725 today for a free estimate!

How Hot and Humid Weather Affects Your Vehicle

June 30, 2021 / admin / 0 Comments

Summer is officially upon us in the South and with that comes high temperatures and plenty of rain. Months of hot and humid weather can cause cars to need extra attention and care to perform their best during this time because hot environments increase wear and tear. Heat and humidity also put vehicles at a higher risk for overheating and increased likelihood of other heat-related issues. Follow along as we review some ways hot and wet weather can affect your ride and how to prevent any short or long term damage.

Interior

Engines sometimes overheat in hot weather because the warmer the air is, the more air your engine needs to pull to get the oxygen your engine requires to perform at its best.
Humidity has been known to affect car sensors and will sometimes trigger false alarms for check engine lights and other alert systems. Once the internal parts have dried, the indicators should shut back off and return to normal.

Exterior

Besides fogging up the windows, humidity won’t affect the exterior of your car. The sun on the other hand can cause great damage to your vehicles paint and upholstery. During summer always try to park your vehicle in shaded and covered areas whenever at all possible.
When temperatures soar it’s common to see an increased amount of liquid dripping from your undercarriage. Before phoning the mechanic check to see if it’s merely condensation from you’re A/C or exhaust as this is completely normal and no cause for worry.

Prevention

The best defense against the problems hot and humid weather can cause is routine car maintenance. The most important maintenance tasks to check off your list include

Checking the pressure in the tires and refilling them if necessary
Refilling the engine coolant
Changing the oil
Keeping your car equipped with jumper cables

Final Thoughts

Now that the scorching damp weather has arrived it’s crucial to provide your vehicle with the routine maintenance it needs before serious issues arise. Countless locals in the Fort Worth, TX community count on family owned and operated Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop for affordable and convenient oil changes, tire repairs, engine maintenance, and much more! Visit our website to read our story and view our wide array of services or call (817) 834-2725 for more information.

Preparing Your Car for a Road Trip

January 6, 2021 / admin / 0 Comments

Adventure is calling. Is your car ready?

Most of us have been quarantining for 10 months or more this past year in hopes of stopping the spread of COVID-19. During the pandemic, many have taken up new hobbies or jobs to keep them busy, while others have turned to nature for an escape. Road trips and camping are activities that have been on the rise, and we all know that in order to have a memorable and enjoyable experience, one must plan and stay prepared!

Your car’s reliability during a road trip will be the most important part of your adventure. Make sure your vehicle is ready to perform during your travels with the following tips.

Fluids

Fluids lubricate your cars components for optimal performance, which is why having them checked before your big trip is recommended. If you know that your car is due for an oil change soon, we suggest getting it done before the road trip to avoid unnecessary issues while on the road. Other fluids such as those for your radiator, transmission, and brakes should be inspected as well.

Tires

Keep those long car rides smooth by ensuring that your vehicles tires are in top-notch condition. Tires that are in good condition deliver safety, comfort, and fuel efficiency, so getting them checked out before you hit the road is best. Have your trusted mechanic inspect your wheel alignment as well as your tire’s pressure.

General Maintenance

Your car needs attention year-round, and when planning a long trip in you car, general maintenance is essential. Are the brake pads in good condition? Should you change the air filter? What about those windshield wipers? A lot of the general maintenance is easy to maintain by the average person, but in order to ensure that everything is functional and dependable; the service from an expert is strongly advised.

Having your car serviced before your road trip is necessary to prevent issues and ensure maximum enjoyment. Do not let your adventure get interrupted by preventable problems. If you are ready to hit the road with friends and family, make sure to contact your local mechanic to have your vehicle inspected before the adventure begins. There is nothing better than traveling with peace of mind.

Most Common Transmission Problems

October 30, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

When it comes to your transmission, you always want to keep it at its best. The last thing you want is to be left dealing with additional problems due to you not handling your transmission issues right away. Your transmission is a critical component of your vehicle and needs proper care for it to work better as a whole. A faulty transmission is one of the most expensive repairs on the market. It is for this reason that you need to pay attention to the following symptoms to ensure your vehicle doesn’t fall victim to transmission problems.

Gear Shaking or Grinding

Your transmission should always shift smoothly from gear to gear. There should be no grinding, shaking, or slipping of any kind. When symptoms like these occur, you may think of it as insignificant, but it isn’t. This problem won’t go away if you simply ignore it. In fact, it will only get worse. If you are feeling any shaking or grinding, it’s time to get it looked at.

Whining, Humming, or Clunking When In Neutral

Hearing noises like these are not normal, no matter how quiet and unnoticeable the sound may be. Though this issue may likely be minor, it could also be signaling something much worse. When you hear humming or clunking, it can be due to the transmission fluid breaking down. Your transmission fluid has to lubricate all of the mechanical gears and components, so make sure you regularly have it changed.

Do You Smell Something Burning?

When there is a burning smell coming from your vehicle, it is something to be concerned about. The most common cause of the smell is due to overheated fluid. Your vehicle basically runs on this fluid as it helps to protect its complex system. When your fluid begins to deteriorate due to age and mileage, friction damage between all parts will begin to occur. The friction will cause the breakdown of your vehicle’s components as well as a buildup of debris and sludge in your engine.

There are many problems that come along with transmission issues. They start off small, but eventually turn into a costly issue if not cared for properly and in a time efficient manner. If peace of mind is your top priority, then you can count on our team at Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop to exceed your expectations.

7 Tips That Will Help You Pass Your Smog Test

March 18, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

Smog tests can be difficult to deal with.

Your smog test can be just as scary as taking your SATs. If you don’t pass, you can’t keep legally driving your car. This test ensures that you’re contributing to keeping the air clean. Keep on reading, because these tips will help increase your chances of passing.

Check Engine Light

This is the biggest and easiest issue to avoid; if you go into your smog test with your engine light on, it’s an immediate fail. Simply get your vehicle diagnosed and resolved in order to get one step closer to passing.

Making sure your tires are inflated is key.

Make Sure Your Tires are Inflated

Most states run a dynamometer test, which forces your car to run at high speeds while staying stationary. When your tires aren’t fully inflated, your engine has to work even harder, meaning more fumes will get released into the air.

Avoid Rainy Weather

Rainy weather can cause issues with your tires, such as loss of traction, especially if your car is older. When your tires are wet, they can slip during the dynamometer test. This can result in a fail simply because it can give a false reading from the machine.

If your oil isn’t clean, you will not pass.

Oil Change

If your car is running with dirty oil, it releases more pollutants than it would with clean oil. While you’re in the process of changing the oil, have the technician also check for any issues with the hoses as they can have your car running the wrong way as well.

Drive Highway Speeds

Two weeks before your test, you should be driving at highway speeds causing your catalytic converter to heat up and burn away any gas or oil residue inside of your engine.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-4.png — Driving before your test will improve your cars performance.

Drive Before Your Test

You should take your car out for a drive at least 20 minutes before your smog test because this will result in optimal results. When you do this, your car is put in its best state when running, which gives you a better chance of passing.

Tune Up

One of the main things you should do before your test, is take your vehicle in for a tune up. When you have a professional double checking that everything is good, it’s nearly impossible to fail!

Conclusion

Smog tests shouldn’t be as stressful as everyone makes it seem, and with these tips, it absolutely won’t be. When you run your car through all of these little inspections, you won’t have to worry about this test ever again!

Preparing Your Car for the Winter Weather

December 28, 2018 / admin / 0 Comments

Traveling during the winter can be difficult due to the weather. Cold temperatures can cause automobiles to break down, not start, or even spin out on the ice which leaves you stranded in the case of an accident; this is why you need to be protected during an emergency while on the road! Here are a few tips to prepare for anything the winter season has to throw at you while you’re traveling and why it is so important.

Emergency Kit

Always have an emergency kit on hand.

Multiple automobile insurance and repair sites recommend that you have an emergency kit in your car or truck at all times. A kit is intended to give you what you need in case of an accident, broken down car or, even worse, you’re stranded and waiting for help. You can purchase or make one yourself, but here is what each kit contains and why these items are important:

-Snow Scraper

Snow scrapers are perfect for when your windshield and mirrors are covered in snow or ice which inhibits your vision; this is especially crucial for northern states that have to deal with ice and snow for weeks to months on end. A scraper makes the difference between getting to your destination and getting into an accident.

-Shovel

A great tool no matter the weather, a shovel can help you dig out of a hole made by mud or snow. It also creates traction for your tires.

-Reflectors

One of the biggest threats of being on the side of the road is getting hit by other motorists who don’t realize you’re there. Having emergency reflectors will let other drivers know that your vehicle has stopped off to the side and signal for them to avoid and slow down near your location.

-Sand or Kitty Litter

When digging fails, sometimes you need to make your own dirt! Shovels are great for most road issues, but in some situations, you need a dry, dirt-like substance for your tires. This is where sand, or kitty litter, can give your tires something to gain traction on when there is only wet mud around your car. Keeping a container in your car is a cheap, plan B option if you’re stuck in a hole or a ditch.

-First Aid Kit

From minor to major, car accidents are extremely dangerous events, and injuries emerge from them all too easily. This is why having a first aid kit in the center console, trunk, or glove box is more important than ever. If the unthinkable happens and you do get into an accident, you can use the kit supplies to administer basic first aid to yourself or an injured passenger while waiting for help! We cannot put into words how important this item is. First aid kits give you access to the basics that are needed to treat a wide range of wounds – from burns to cuts, sprained limps, and much more. Having this item nearby is worth its weight in gold while on the road or traveling where the threat of a collision is ever present.

Conclusion

What items did you add to your kit? Do you have any additional must-haves that you add to your personal emergency kit? Comment below and let us know what you travel on the road with in case of emergencies!

Mike's Brake & Alignment Shop

Honest & Quality Service