5 Warning Signs that you need Your Brakes Repaired

You might not think about them that often, but your brakes are one of the most vital parts of your car. You need to keep them in good working condition in case you ever need to come to a screeching halt while driving… or, you know, just to drive safely in general!

We’ve compiled a list of the warning signs that may allude to damaged brakes. The list also includes things you can do to check and see if your brakes need replaced.

       1.      Look for wear between the wheel’s spokes. Look for an outer pad; it should be pressed against a metal rotor. If your brakes are in good working condition, there will be ¼ inch of a pad there. If there is less than that, you should have them inspected by a mechanic.

       2.      Listen for a screeching or grinding noise. That’s also a good indication of damaged brakes. The sound should be loud enough to hear even if the windows are up, but not necessarily loud enough to hear over a radio (for example.) However, a screeching sound doesn’t necessarily mean your brakes need replaced. It’s possible that they simply need rotated.

      3.      Feel for the warning signs—they include non-responsiveness when you push down on them, a brake pedal that sinks to the floor, etc. This could also be a leak in the brake system.

      4.      Watch out for pulling. If your car “pulls” to one side when you hit the brakes, that’s a good indication that the brake linings are wearing thin.

      5.      Feel for unnecessary vibrating that wasn’t present before. Vibrations can mean any number of things, but can be a warning sign of warped rotors or a misalignment.

San Jose Auto Repair can fix brakes, do routine maintenance checks, and can perform inspections, too. Our on-site,  certified technicians will inspect your brakes with great attention to detail. Call us today if you think your brakes may be in need of a repair - (408) 258-6625.

Getting your car repair : Tips & tricks

Are you interested in learning what you need to do in the case of auto repair? Have you considered fixing the problems yourself? You might just want to better understand how to choose a mechanic. If you would like to learn more, continue reading.

Keep car records handy. Keep these documents in a solid folder inside your glove compartment. Auto repair mechanics and professionals will need the records. This will help to diagnose any problems.

Every time your car is repaired, regardless of how minor the problem was, make sure you keep a record. If you have problems with your vehicle later on, you will find it helpful to have some records for the next technician to look at. If you do not have documentation, you may have duplicate services performed.

Read online reviews of local body shops. This can tell you about the public views of their skills in customer service and how well they can solve a problem. After gathering information, you can select the right shop for you.

See if you can predetermine your vehicle’s issue prior to attending at the mechanics. You can save lots of money if you can diagnose the problem yourself. It also ensures that the mechanic won’t try to pull a fast one on you. As you have probably heard, there are mechanics out there that will be dishonest so they can charge you more money.

Assemble an auto repair kit and put it inside of your trunk. The basic tools you will need include the tire changing equipment which should have come with your car. A lug wrench and a jack are essential. Also, it is wise to have screwdrivers, a ratchet set, Phillips head screwdrivers and wrenches. Don’t buy inexpensive tools. Get good, sturdy tools that won’t break when you need them the most.

If you are having extensive repairs done, make sure that you get several estimates. Although shops are generally trustworthy, you may end up paying for extra repairs you don’t need. Search for trustworthy shops that are experienced in repairing your car’s make. Your car is more likely to be repaired properly at these shops.

Ask about prices and labor rates before you give your keys to a mechanic. Some shops have their rates in conspicuous places, so read carefully and ask questions if you don’t understand something. You have a right to know how much a repair will cost and what it will consist of. Some shops have estimated repair times that are established by specific manufacturers. Repairs that seem minor may take all day long.

Do not believe that you are stuck with not knowing anything about car repairs. You really need to take your time and think over what you have learned here so when it comes time to do it, you can act. You should now see how staying within certain limits will help you save money.

Why a good battery & charging system are important ?

A good battery and charging system are essential for reliable starting and vehicle operation. A starter motor can pull several hundred amps while cranking the engine. If your battery is low or weak, it will not provide enough amps to the starter for the engine to start.

The onboard electronics and control modules that operate almost everything in today's vehicles require a steady voltage level to operate properly. If the battery voltage drops to low, it can cause erratic behavior and problems with the car's electronic components.

Starting and electrical problems, which are usually blamed on the battery may not actually be the battery's fault. Instead, these problems could be caused by a faulty charging system. Your vehicle's alternator has two jobs: the first is to supply current to the vehicle's charging system, and the second id to is to maintain the battery at full charge. Lead-acid wet cell car batteries must be maintained near full charge, otherwise the plates become sulfated and the battery loses its ability to store power.

Normally, a battery is only used to crank the engine, provide power for lights and accessories when the car is not running, to stabilize voltage withing the vehicles electrical system and to provide supplemental power when the demands of the vehicle's electrical system temporarily exceed the output of the alternator. If the battery is in good condition and fully charged, it won't increase the normal load of the charging system. Driving your vehicle will help maintain the battery's charge. However, if the battery is in poor condition or is run down, it may take 20 to 30 minutes of driving to bring the battery back up, and even then, it may not reach full charge or hold the charge if the battery is in poor condition. Thus vehicles used for short term driving may not give the alternator enough time to fully recharge the battery.

Should you experience erratic behavior or starting issues with your vehicle, call San Jose Auto Repair at (408) 258-6625 and we will be happy to send one of our experienced Mobile Automotive Technicians to diagnose and advise you of the possible cause and recommended repair of the problem.

Top 3 Causes for Engine Repair

Engine repair can be both costly and time-intensive. Most engine problems, however, can be easily avoided with proper routine maintenance and service checks. Make sure you discuss what service your car needs and when it needs maintenance with your local auto mechanic.

Avoid serious engine repair by understanding the most common causes for engine repair. Take steps to keep your engine clean, healthy, and working well for you and your car. 

1. Neglecting to change oil and filters

When you fail to change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles (exact mileage is dependent upon your car make and model), your engine will feel the effects. Fresh oil, proper oil levels, and new filters should be installed and monitored on a regular basis. Ask your local mechanic or check your owner’s manual for the mileage requirements specific to your car.

2. Overheating

If you notice smoke seeping out from underneath your hood, your vehicle is overheating. Avoid further danger to your engine; turn your car off and call your local mechanic right away. An engine can overheat as a result of improper coolant levels, a cracked head or blown gasket, a faulty thermostat, or dirty coolant fluid.

3. Catalytic converter failure

A vehicle’s catalytic convertor can fail due to a leak caused by rust or corrosion, or as a result of internal plugging caused by excessive carbon buildup. The catalytic converter is normally responsible for cleaning emissions from the tailpipe.

 

Top 5 Brake Complaints and How to Resolve Them

Auto Brake

I think we can all agree that the braking system is the most important safety device on any vehicle. Since people place such a high value on their car’s ability to slow and stop, it is smart to pay attention when they complain about the brakes.

1.       Noise

Brake noise, or squealing, is the most obvious problem to drivers. Unwanted movement of brake components causes the noise. What’s the solution? Keep brake components in place per factory specifications and properly prepare surfaces during service.

In addition to the normal inspections for binding, corrosion, lack of lubrication, and worn or damaged components, clean the caliper moving parts and retaining hardware. Clean pin bores with a round wire brush and cleaner to remove old lubricant and corrosion.

2.       Pulsation

Pulsation is another issue that is obvious to the driver. Use a polishing pad to clean as much rust as possible from the hub face and next to the studs. Leaving corrosion in these areas is one of the top causes of pulsation.

An often overlooked area is the wheel hub mounting pad. If there is rust or debris in this area, it can lead to rotor distortion and pulsation just as easily as if debris were left on the hub.

Another common cause of pulsation is uneven tightness of wheel lugs. Lighter components on today’s vehicles can be easily distorted. Eliminate this issue by lightly seating and then torqueing wheels to specification in two stages. On wheels with lug-centric hubs, rotate the wheel as the lugs are seated to help keep the wheel centered on the hub.

3.       Dust

When applying braking force, small amounts of material gradually abrade from the brake pads. This material, known as “brake dust,” usually deposits on the braking system and the surrounding wheel.

The proper friction material choice can affect dusting. Different brake pad formulations create different amounts of dust, and some formulations, particularly metallic brake pads, create more dust than others. Ceramic brake pads contain significantly fewer metal particles, and therefore produce less abrasion of surrounding metal parts.

Excessive Wear

Common complaints due to excessive wear are usually due to lack of maintenance, hard driving style, or vehicle usage characteristics. Brakes on one vehicle may last substantially longer if the owner drives it easy or takes more highway trips. If the owner overloads the vehicle, makes short, stop-and-go trips, or leaves one foot on the brake pedal while driving, the pads will have more wear and failures from the abuse.

4.       Stopping Performance

Stopping performance is crucial for today’s high performance vehicles and driving conditions. Poor performance can be related to a previous brake job that was done improperly, failing components, vehicle overloading, or installing the wrong type of friction material. Proper inspection, preparation, and break-in are the best ways to overcome these issues.

 

Tips on used car purchase.

So you think found a used vehicle to fit your needs…it has a fair price, looks and drives good, even passed a multi point safety inspection. Whether purchased from a used car lot, or private party – AS IS, NO WARRANTY - are generally the terms of the sale, and you are on your own, including any routine maintenance, repairs, and unexpected breakdowns.

In most cases when customers bring the vehicle to us for inspection after purchased, we find that needed repairs and routine maintenance were ignored, overlooked, and have not been completed by previous owners or used car lots. This adds unexpected expense to the actual purchase price to make it safe and reliable.

Most cars, trucks & SUV’s that are typically for sale out there have between 80,000 – 120,000 miles on them and this is when most of the major maintenance items and repairs are due. Often times this is the reason the vehicle is being sold – the owner has decided to purchase a new or newer vehicle because they do not want to spend the money on costly maintenance or repairs. Therefore, even if the vehicle you purchase is running “good” at the time you buy it, expensive maintenance and repairs could be just around the corner.

Yes we specialize in pre-purchase inspections. However, if you do not live in the area or are not purchasing the vehicle locally, it might not be possible to bring it to San Jose Auto Repair. We feel it’s important for everybody to be armed with as much information as possible in order to get the best bang for their buck so here are some simple tips to help make an informed buying decision.
There are some simple items that get overlooked on many so called professional inspections that any person can perform a basic check in a matter of minutes. 

San Jose Auto Repair

SanJose Auto Mechanic

Having car trouble or is your car due for a maintenance visit?  San Jose Auto Repair is here to help you.  We will find out what the problem is and fix it at a fair and reasonable price.

We value each and every one of our customers and expect you to tell your family and friends about us, as well as come back to us for your automotive service and auto repair needs. We hold the quality of our service and parts to the highest standards. You can be assured we are using correct parts and all work done is inspected and tested before your car is returned to you.

San Jose Auto Repair is committed to serving you, our customer, with professional automotive repair at a reasonable cost with qualified technicians. We use quality replacement auto parts, Guaranteed Coast-To-Coast. We stand on sound business principles and uphold high ethical standards. Our goal is to make your automotive repair experience friendly and successful.