AUTONET TV

Stop! And See Us (Brake Pad Replacement)

If you’ve ever driven a bicycle with hand brakes, you’ll probably understand how the brake pads on your vehicle work.  Bicycle brakes use a system that squeezes the bike wheel’s rim with a pair of cushioned pads activated by your hand squeezing the hand brakes on your handlebars. The friction of those pads stops the wheel.

That’s the same principle used for the wheels on your vehicle.  Step on the brake pedal and that causes pads to put pressure on discs in the wheels called rotors.  Those pads create friction and stop the wheels from turning.

Brake pads in vehicles are made from several different materials.  The pads most commonly used are ceramic or a combination of metals.

The friction that stops your vehicle generates heat and wears both the pads and, eventually, the rotors, too.  That means that, over time, both are going to need replacing to work properly.  One sign brake wear is getting noticeable may be  when you hear squeaking when you stop.  Or you might feel the vehicle pulling to one side during braking or the brake light on your dash illuminates.  All are signs to bring your vehicle in to us for inspection and service.

When your vehicle is in for brake pad replacement, our technician will check other components such as the brake calipers, rotors and lines.   

Brakes are something you should have inspected at regular intervals because they are a vital safety component of your vehicle.  Consider having us look at them every 10,000 miles/16,000 km or each time you bring your vehicle in for an oil change. 

Kingwood Service Center
3318 Northpark Dr
Kingwood, TX 77339
(281) 360-7323
www.kingwoodservicecenter.net

Out of Joint (CV Joint and Boot Replacement)

If you have a front-wheel-drive vehicle, it has components called CV joints which enable you to turn your wheels smoothly. The CV stands for “constant velocity.” In essence, it’s a set of gears that connect a shaft that allows power from the transmission to be sent to the wheels.  When you turn the wheels, no matter what angle, the input velocity rotation will be equal to the output. Thus, the name, CV (constant velocity) joint. Other vehicles with 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive also use CV joints.  

If one of your CV joints isn’t working right, you may find your vehicle difficult to handle.  If one breaks, your vehicle may stop moving.  So, it’s important that CV joints be in top working condition.  The joints need a lot of lubrication, so they are surrounded by grease.  There’s a rubber enclosure around them called the boot which holds the grease in and protects CV joints from the elements. 
 
The biggest problems come when one of those rubber boots cracks.  Water and dirt can then get into the joint, causing it to wear down and lose all its vital lubrication.  It’s important to have your CV joints inspected regularly so a technician can spot cracks before the CV joints are ruined.  Sometimes just the boot can be replaced before any major damage is done.  But when the joint does go bad, it must be replaced.  

Signs your CV joint needs changing out? You might hear a clicking sound when you turn if the CV joint is worn out. You might notice some thick, black grease around your wheel or on the pavement where you park your vehicle.  You might also feel your vehicle vibrate when you’re going fast.

If you suspect you might have a bad CV joint, bring your vehicle in so a technician can determine what’s going on.  Keep your CV joints in good shape and reduce the risk of them seizing up at an inopportune time so you can avoid being stranded.

Kingwood Service Center
3318 Northpark Dr
Kingwood, TX 77339
(281) 360-7323
www.kingwoodservicecenter.net

10 Things That Are Lowering Your Fuel Economy

Regardless of whatever current gas prices may be, if you could use less gas, wouldn’t you? Well, here are 10 things that are robbing you of better fuel economy that you can change for the better:

   •    Not enough air in your tires.  Underinflated tires have a smaller rolling diameter and more resistance to rolling.  Keep them inflated properly, plus ask us about more fuel-efficient tires.

   •    Faulty oxygen sensor.  A faulty or dirty oxygen sensor can cause your engine to burn too rich a mixture of air and fuel.  That can also trigger a Check Engine light.  Have us check yours.

   •    Oil age and type.  Contaminated or improper viscosities of engine oil can create more resistance in your engine.  Have regular oil changes and consider newer high-mileage oils.

   •    Bad wheel alignment.  When your wheels aren’t lined up straight, they have more resistance.  Let us check your alignment and straighten things out if necessary.

   •    Aging ignition system.  When’s the last time your spark plugs, spark plug wires and coils were changed? Misfires can rob you of good mileage.

   •    Dirty fuel injectors.  They can be inefficient if they’re not clean.  Have us check yours to make sure they’re working as they should.

   •    Fouled fuel filter. After filtering impurities out of your fuel, the filter may be clogged and affect your engine’s performance.

   •    Worn out or stuck brakes. This creates drag on the wheels and prevents you from rolling freely down the road.  Have us inspect yours to see how yours are.

   •    Worn piston rings.  These form a seal in the cylinder walls so you have top compression. When the seal is sloppy, down goes your fuel pressure and mileage.

   •    Poor maintenance.  If you don’t keep your engine’s systems running efficiently, they can nibble away at your fuel economy.  

Let us help you keep your eye on each one of these so you aren’t wasting money and gas.

Kingwood Service Center
3318 Northpark Dr
Kingwood, TX 77339
(281) 360-7323
www.kingwoodservicecenter.net

Tread Carefully: What Normal Tire Wear Looks Like

Every day we get in our vehicle and drive, we are putting wear and tear on our tires. Some wear is, of course, normal, but it’s important to know what’s NOT normal. Not only can that alert you to potential safety issues, I can also save you money and fuel.

Your tire’s tread (the part that contacts the road and has a pattern cut into the rubber) should be even from one side to the other.  It should also be at least more than 2/32 inches deep. It IS normal to have tread wear, and most front-wheel-drive vehicles’ front tires wear more quickly because the front wheels are powering the vehicle.  

Your tires should be wearing consistently.  In other words, you shouldn’t see bald spots in one area and not in another.  You should also not see a feathered edge on one side of your tire or any uneven ridges.  

Besides looking at your tires for wear, you can start to notice signs of tire wear while you drive.  For example, if you feel vibrations while you’re traveling, it could be the result of wheels that are out of balance or tires that are wearing unevenly.  You may notice the vehicle shaking at higher speeds.  

If your vehicle pulls to one side, it could mean one of your tire’s belts has separated or the tire is wearing unevenly.  If you hear a thumping as you drive, your tire treads could be cupped or one tire could be separating inside.  Any  rhythmic thumping you hear or feel as you drive is something you should have checked right away.

Most newer vehicles also have a tire pressure monitoring system that warns you if one or more of your tires are underinflated.  That is another possible sign of tire wear.

Your tires are what literally connect your vehicle and the road. When they wear out, your braking distances are longer, your traction decreases, you can hydroplane on a wet road and you may have a blowout on the highway.  Keep your eye on tire wear, and if you see, hear or feel any signs, bring it in to us right away to have a technician check things out.  

Kingwood Service Center
3318 Northpark Dr
Kingwood, TX 77339
(281) 360-7323
www.kingwoodservicecenter.net