Steering Wheel Problem on Braking

Posted on May 21, 2011 by guestposter

Several steering wheel problems can be encountered when you brake a car and one of those is the steering wheel shakes when braking. Plenty of reason can cause the steering wheel problem but particularly for this one since the problem occurs when the car brakes then we can be sure that this is an indication of misalignment between the disc and the pads. This happens because the steering wheel is connected on the car front end that is connected to the front brakes and when there is a problem on steering wheel when the car brake the culprit would be the brakes.

Problem on brakes that can cause steering shaking is the misalignment of front pads and the disc, when we say misalignment this is the case of both part that has uneven contact with each other. Since both parts has uneven contact with each other, when the pedal is depress vibration occurs and this vibration will be transferred to the steering wheel.

Now, the reason why there uneven contact between the pads and the disc is warpage, this occurs particularly on the front disc. When these problems happen on your car bring it at once on the car shop for checking, tell the mechanic to inspect the front brakes and warpage on the front disc. Usually this problem involves machining the front disc to repair the problem. After the disc is machined the replacement of the pads is also necessary to match with the disc and avoid uneven contact between the two parts. This kind of problem can be avoided from happening by proper monitoring of your car maintenance schedule therefore always follow the recommended schedule provided by your car dealer, in this way it can saves you money from unwanted cost that may occur every time you visit a repair shop especially with a trouble like this.

Safety Measures for Towing a Trailer

Posted on April 13, 2011 by guestposter

Towing a trailer is no easy feat, especially because it’s easy to overlook critical details that impact safety on the road. Things like inspecting the hitch, the weight you’re carrying, among others that we recommend you keep in a checklist to go over them before any trip. In this article we will focus specifically on tires and brakes. The following information comes directly from the advice of a towing company. They’ve been towing in Chula Vista, CA for years now, so please read on for their valuable insights.

Tires

The key with your tires is to check them as frequently as possible. It’s easy for a flat tire to go unnoticed in multiple axle trailers or tandem wheels, and missing to check them can end up in your wheel catching fire. Before taking a trip measure the pressure on each tire, they need to be within a safe range. Also, when you stop at a gas station you should walk around feeling and thumping each tire. What you’re looking for is for all of them to have the same sound, and if any tire feels hotter than the rest this usually means it’s getting low.

Wheel lug nuts

Lug nuts must be in perfect condition. Never make a trip if one of them is damaged or missing. It’s also important to tighten them frequently. Lug nuts will loosen over time faster in a new trailer or a wheel that’s been replaced recently. If this is the case, drive your trailer 25 to 50 miles and check with the torque on all lug nuts. A torque wrench is a good investment, and it will make your job much easier, they usually go for $30.

Brakes

The first tip on brakes is that having disk brakes will be much better than drum brakes, they are more effective. When you tow a trailer you want to make sure you have all the braking power you can get, so this is important. It’s equally important to be prepared for emergency braking. It’s recommended that you practice driving with your trailer on a road with no traffic, getting up to good speed and make a sudden brake. The point of this is to get a good feel on how hard to step on your brakes, and how long it takes you to come to a complete stop. This will make you a much better driver, because you’ll be familiarized to driving under these conditions.

Make sure you take care of your brakes, so their effectiveness lasts longer over time. A good way to do this is to use your engine to lower your speed, especially when driving downhill or you’re going considerably fast. Also, don’t ride your brakes, this means, only drive with one foot. People often have their right foot on the accelerator, and their left on the brake. This overheats the brakes and they wear out very quickly.

Electric brakes

Trailers with electric brakes have an advantage over having no brakes at all on your trailer, but you should handle them with care. First, try to learn as much as you can about how they work. If you just adjust the controllers with no knowledge, you run the risk of locking your trailer brakes. Why? electric brakes don’t respond to the pressure that you apply on your pedal; how much brake will be applied depends on how you set up the controller that sends the signal to the brakes.

Always take your time going over everything on your checklist before driving with your towed trailer. These two factors mentioned in the article are crucial, but keep in mind there are other things you should care for as well. The people at the towing company consulted know their business, they provide the finest towing service San Diego has seen, so heed their advice and drive safely.

Grinding Noise When Brake is Apply

Posted on February 27, 2011 by guestposter

Several problems on brake may happen and one of those is the presence of grinding noise when breaking. Grinding noise occurrence is due to the excessive worn out of brake linings and happens because the brake is not monitored well or car maintenance schedule may have been neglected.

Brake lining has a metal that served as limiter to warn the driver that the linings is need to be replaced, now when the lining has worn down to its metal long enough this metal will come in contact with the drums or disc, the rubbing of metal to metal will then creates a grinding sound that can be heard during braking. When the grinding sound is heard the first time then its fine, but when the grinding sound is neglected from the start that it was notice then that’s the problem because when the rubbing of metal to the drum or disc is kept for a long time it can damage the drum or disc making those parts to have uneven surface. And when the brake has uneven surface it creates vibration.

Now, when the grinding sound is heard at once you need to bring the car to an auto shop the check the brake linings and replace if necessary. When the sound is ignore and the car is brought on the shop for a longer time then expect much worst problem, probably the mechanic will tell you that the drums or the disc which ever is affected is needed to be machined. This kind of job can incur an expensive repair because not only that lining is to be replace but there are also machining work involve. Also if the drum or disc is extremely damage and machining is not possible then the only option is to replace it and this is much expensive.

So, whenever a grinding sound is heard have the car check at once to avoid a much worst problem and much expensive repair.

Staying Safe While Driving in the Snow

Posted on January 21, 2011 by guestposter

Automobile windshield displaying "spiderw...

Image via Wikipedia

For those who have spent their entire lives thus far in a place where it does not snow, it might seem daunting to learn how to drive in the snow. When the weather is not good, there is a greater likelihood of automobile accidents.

Observing some principles of safe driving, though, can help you avoid hazaView postrdous situations. One of the best ways to stay safe when it is snowing is to just remain at your residence.

An accident during inclement weather will prevent you from arriving at your destination on time, and you may be injured. In most cases, however, it’s not possible to take the day off because of bad driving conditions, so you should learn how to drive safely in the winter.

In order for a tire to properly grip the road in snow, its tread should be greater or equal to 6/32-inch deep. The treads on the tires of new vehicles Is customarily 10/32-inch deep.

Tires made for use mainly in the warmer months are not able to grip the road in a storm. Also, tires that can purportedly handle every season usually don’t do well in the winter.

If you have your home in a location where it snows quite frequently, you should invest in some snow tires. Tire manufacturers stamp this type of tire with an image depicting a mountain with a snowflake on it.

Make sure that blades on your vehicle’s windshield wipers are new. Wipe down your windows from the inside, in order to reduce glare.

Using a product like Rain-X will prevent water and snow from sticking to your windshield and mirrors. Be sure to test the washer mechanism for your windshield, and make certain it is filled with fluid that prevents ice build-up.

Windshield washer fluid used during the summer months often does not have this property and should be eliminated from the system. Pour in a different colored winter fluid and then run the washer until the new fluid color is evident.

The air-conditioner is a crucial part of keeping your windshield clear. If moisture builds-up on the inside of your windshield, turn on the air-conditioning to remove it.

Using warm air in this case is acceptable. In fact, most automobiles are preset to send in warm air for the defrost setting.

Before driving in winter weather, test your headlights. Even if it is still daylight when a storm strikes, turn your headlights on to make other drivers more aware of your presence.

Determine whether any snow has covered your lights, and, if it has, be certain to brush it away. If your vehicle has older headlight lenses which are sand-pitted, it is advisable to replace the old lenses with new ones.

Keeping the same thing from happening to the new lenses is as easy as putting on a transparent tape that is usually used to guard helicopter blades and the wings of race cars. You can purchase this tape at stores that sell auto-racing materials.

Become familiar with the best method for using your vehicle’s brakes in case of an urgent situation. Antilock brakes are best operated by pressing firmly on the pedal and keeping your foot there, and then steering your vehicle to avoid disaster.

Maneuvering your vehicle properly can prevent an accident. Try to remain calm and guide the vehicle away from danger.

Use this method when you drive on the road during the winter. Upon pressing firmly on the brake, you should feel slight rhythmic vibrations in the brake pedal, which is a signal to you to let up somewhat on the pedal.

If you are driving an automobile that does not have anti-lock brakes, using the classic braking method is your best bet. Press firmly on the pedal until the wheels are not turning, and, once that happens, take your foot entirely off the pedal so wheels are free to roll again.

Repetitively do this process quickly. The method may sound like “pumping the break”, but it is not.

In any case, you should be attempting to help the tires grip the road on all types of pavement. “Black ice” is particularly hazardous.

A road that appears unsafe usually is. In no other regard is this more the case than with “black ice”.

Another name for this phenomenon is “glare ice”. The ice may appear to be just a puddle, but you can test it by gently applying your brakes or smoothly turning the wheel to check whether you have traction.

Become familiar with the roadways you most often travel. Professional drivers remember every part of the tracks they race on, which allows them to maneuver around dangerous obstacles.

Be aware of the places where ice tends to form. The most likely places are at a bridge or at an intersection.

If water runs over the road you travel on, it can create dangers for you. Ice can form even from the water put out by a lawn sprinkler system.

Occasionally, road signs or safety signs will warn of potential danger. But don’t rely on these alone.

Exercising caution when you drive will keep you safe. Don’t risk your life.