Stay on Top of your Brake Maintenance to Stop on Time | Prescott Brothers of Princeton

Vehicle brakes are vital to your safety when driving. What signs indicate that they’re wearing out?

For those who suffer a daily commute through heavy traffic, your vehicle’s braking system can bring thousands of pounds of metal, plastic and empty Starbucks cups to a stop hundreds of times before you get to work. It goes without saying that these pieces wear out, but they do so slowly, meaning you may not notice they need attention until it’s too late.

Neglecting your braking system can lead to increased repair costs, or worse, no brakes at all. Fortunately, paying attention to some of the signs of brake wear can keep you on top of stopping maintenance, saving you some money and keeping your car from bouncing off of the guy in front of you.

The most obvious indicator that your vehicle’s brakes need attention is an incredibly high pitched squeal when you come to a stop. Brake pad manufacturers include a little piece of metal called an indicator on the pad itself. When the material wears down to the point where less than ¼ inch is left, the metal piece begins to touch the vehicle’s rotor, doing a pretty good impression of fingernails on a chalkboard. Depending on how hard you drive, that usually means you should replace your brake pads within the month.

Occasionally, the indicator rusts and falls off, leaving you with no irritating noise to warn of brake wear. Additionally, many aftermarket and low-cost pads don’t come with a wear indicator at all. For the more observant, there are other signs that your pads need attention. If it takes you longer to stop than it used to, or if your brake pedal travels farther than it did a few months ago, it might be a good idea to get your stoppers checked. Regular pad checks are a good idea and require little more than removing a wheel and knowing what to look for.

Rotors are a little trickier, as they can usually last through two or three sets of brake pads before needing to be replaced. If your steering wheel wiggles in your hands when you come to a stop, your rotors are probably “warped,” and it’s a good idea to swap them out.

Most shops will offer to “turn” your rotors for you instead of outright replacing them. This means shaving enough metal off of the rotors to make them smooth again. Newer vehicles are equipped with thinner, lighter rotors to save on costs and increase fuel economy. If you’ve got the option, go ahead and replace them.

There are several options for replacement brake parts for your vehicle. While you can never go wrong with what your manufacturer recommends, a variety of aftermarket parts can help you cater your brake system to your driving style. If you find yourself replacing rotors often, you might consider switching to a slotted version. While initially more expensive, the slots disperse heat better than stock, though 99 percent of the time they aren’t necessary for the average driver.

Your rotors aren’t the only piece of brake hardware that can be changed for better performance. One of the most common brake pad upgrades is a switch to ceramic pads. These pads stop just as well, if not better than the stock pieces, but produce much less dust and are generally quieter. While you can also install performance brake pads on your vehicle, these usually have a shorter life span and generate more wear on your rotors.

While neglecting your brakes until your car is grinding to a halt instead of gliding is always an option, it can cost you in unnecessary rotor replacement and possible towing bills. That’s not to mention the likelihood of losing most of your stopping ability right when you need it most. Keeping up with brake maintenance, paying attention to the signs of brake wear and choosing the right equipment for your vehicle will let you slow down like you should.

Top Ten Signs of Brake Wear:

1.   High pitched squealing
2.   Vibration in the steering wheel when stopping
3.   Grinding noises when stopping
4.   Increased braking distances
5.   Longer pedal travel
6.   Feeling the car “pull” to the left or right when stopping
7.   A weak emergency brake
8.   A bad smell after coming to a hard stop
9.   Pedal “fade”
10. Not stopping

When you start experiencing any of the above listed symptoms it is time to make an appointment at Prescott Brothers of Princeton or call us at (815) 875-1180.

Source: http://www.carcare.org/2011/10/car-brakes-how-do-you-know-when-to-change-them/

Get Your Vehicle Ready for that Holiday Shopping | Prescott Brothers of Princeton

Are you ready for the upcoming holiday festivities? Before you rush to the store and face the traffic of holiday shoppers, you’ll want to be sure your car is ready to battle the elements. Follow these tips before venturing out into the winter wonderland.

• Get a Tune-Up. Have your mechanic check your hoses, belts 
  and anti-freeze. A weakened hose or belt can break and leave you stranded, or a 
  weak solution of anti-freeze can ice up and damage your cooling system. 
• Check Your Battery. Make sure your car’s battery connection 
  is clean, tight and corrosion-free. The battery should be securely mounted. If 
  the battery is three years old or more, have it tested and replace it if 
  necessary.  
• Check Your Heater and Defroster. If your heater isn’t 
  working, you’ll probably know. But what about front and rear defrosters? Before 
  you’re faced with a frosty windshield, turn your front and rear defrosters on 
  and off to make sure they’re working. 
• Give Yourself a Brake. If you have the slightest concern 
  that something’s amiss with your brakes, get them inspected immediately. If you 
  have anti-lock brakes, you should avoid pumping the brakes if you begin to 
  slide.  
• Have Your Exhaust System Checked. Ask your mechanic to 
  double check the exhaust system for leaks, which can emit dangerous carbon 
  monoxide into your car. If you become stuck in the snow and want to run the 
  engine and heater, make sure your tail pipe is clear of the snow and crack open 
  a window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal. 
• Fill up with Washer Fluid. Slush and mud splashed on a 
  windshield can spell danger for a winter driver. Make sure your washer fluid 
  reservoir is sufficiently full, and keep a spare jug in the trunk. 
• Consider New Wiper Blades. Even if your windshield wiper blades 
  are in good condition, you might want to upgrade to a rubber coated snow blade 
  that can handle the extra weight of wet snow. They’re not expensive, and could 
  make your winter driving a lot safer in the long run. 
• Take a Look at Your Tires. Your tires need to have adequate 
  tread with “grip” to propel you through the snow. 
• Fill Her Up! One of the best driving tips for winter is to 
  keep your tank more than half full at all times. It will help you avoid 
  freezing in your fuel lines, and will keep you safer in winter weather 
  situations.

If for any reason you are in need of assistance with any one of these safety precautions please give us a call and we will be happy to help you in any way we can. Please visit Prescott Brothers of Princeton online and schedule a service appointment today!

October is Fall Car Care Month

With all of the leaves changing, nights getting cooler you need to be doing more than just throwing a sweatshirt on or raking up the fallen leaves. There's something you need to check and maintain, that's just as important as the gutters and other weekend projects. When was the last time you checked out what was going on under the hood of your car? Have you at least gotten an oil change in the last few months? With the Fall season in full swing, it's important to properly care for your vehicles. You rely on them so much to get you to and from all of your seasonal stops safely with no problem! You don't want to ruin a trip back from Thanksgiving at grandma's with a flat tire do you? That could be the least of your problems with the types of components that tend to require maintenance. From your wipers and brakes to your battery and defrosters there are plenty of ways to care for your car this fall season.

Where Do I Begin? What Can I Do?

When it comes to your cars there are plenty of options in front of you. For those of you who don't mind getting your hands dirty or are interested in minor car work, your weekends can turn into small DIY projects here and there to keep your car running great. Other ways for full fall car care is to drop it off at a full service garage that can make sure your car is ready for whatever the fall or winter throws at it! Even with this said, it's important to understand the areas on your car that will need attention during these frigid seasons. That way you can make sure that your car is getting what it needs, and you're not paying an arm and a leg for something completely unnecessary.

Key Areas for Fall Car Care

Below, we'll go through the areas you should focus your fall car care. Each of these sections have certain vulnerabilities or weaknesses to the colder temperatures, extra moisture and other elements. Other areas that need to be focused on are those you will be relying on the most, like your heating system, defrosters, and wipers.

Heating (HVAC) System and Wipers - We'll jump right in. It's always a good place to start, as it's the most logical. Properly working heating and ventilation systems are completely necessary for safety and comfort. Can you imagine attempting to drive home with a frozen windshield and no heat? Or pouring rain and worn out wipers? Also make sure you have the filters all checked, as it's common to find clogs. Many people take the fall season to replace their filters so their car runs as efficiently as possible. As replacing your wipers should be replaced every six months, timing them around the Fall season helps as well. That way, once you are getting ready for those spring showers, it's time to replace your wipers again.

Tires and Wheels - One of the biggest concerns you should have as the weather begins to cool are your tires. For one, replacing them is never a fun process, and secondly as everything contracts in the cold, your tires will lose air pressure. Always make sure to check your tires weekly, and fill them according to their PSI requirements. With slicker surfaces, its also equally important to check the treads. You want to make sure there are no bald spots or leaks. Another warning sign to look for is uneven wear, which means it's also time for a wheel alignment.

Battery - Cold weather is brutal on all types of electronics. Your car battery is just as vulnerable to this. It's always good to check your battery and it's connections. Clean up any areas with corrosion and make sure all of the connections are clean and tight. It's also not a bad idea to have the levels checked by a shop, because you can't always tell when one is about to die. The last thing you want is to get in the car late one night, out of state, ready to drive home to realize your car battery has died. One precaution many take in their fall car care is to just replace their car battery in general. Especially if it has several years behind it.

Brakes - When it comes to car care and maintenance, tending to your brakes are always a good idea. With so much reliance behind these components it's important to make sure the linings, rotors, and pads are all working properly. Brakes can play a pivotal role in your survival on instances of slick roads, black ice, and snowfall.

Other Fall Car Care Tips

Besides confirming that these areas mentioned above are being maintained, there are other components to double check as well. I know that some of these can seem like they are more geared towards colder winter weather, but its always better to be prepared beforehand. Both the fall and winter season offer many different types of situations, from issues you can control like your car to those you can't, like the elements.

Check your fluids. People tend to overlook the fluids that are in their car. It's a rare thing to see anyone actually check their oil let alone their anti-freeze! Its always important to check your fluids, and the cooler season months are no exception. Check for leaks as well, so you can attend to those before they cause larger problems.

Keep scrapers in your car. Yes, it's fall, but that doesn't mean we're absolved of freezing temperatures until December. It's already hit the 30's. Scrapers, extra anti-freeze and lock deicer are all components you should have gathered in this point, so keep them all together (Besides the lock deicer, it kind of defeats the purpose if it's stored in your car).

Make sure all of your lights are working. Look for signs of clouding on the headlights and make sure all of your bulbs are still working. Dead bulbs only take a few minutes to replace, but always seems to be put off. Besides assuming responsibility in accidents where you've been rear-ended, wasting your time by being pulled over, and more, you are making the roads much more hazardous. Your lights and signals are the only means of communicating with other drivers. Take that out of the equation and others have no means of knowing what you intend on doing.

What Now? Start Caring For Your Car!

In the end, your car is only as valuable as the time and work you put into it. If you completely neglect it, you can't rightfully assume that it will always prove reliable. All of the fall car care tips we've mentioned above are pretty simple. Most can even be done as you are walking up to your car in the morning before work, or within ten fifteen minutes on a Saturday morning. While it may cost you a few bucks to keep your car maintained, or even a few hundred to replace a part just look at the bigger picture. You continue to keep your family safe and your vehicle running efficiently each and every time you take a moment to make sure it's running the best it could be.

Source:  http://eggzack.com/article/2013-10-31-important-fall-car-care-tips.html

Five Habits that will Ruin your Vehicle | Prescott Brothers Ford Princeton IL

Avoiding these habits can go a long way in preventing an expensive repair bill.

Most things you own will last longer if you take care of them and treat them well. Your car is no exception to this rule. While neglecting your car may seem harmless in the short term, regular neglect and mistreatment will add up and will reduce your car’s lifespan. To keep your car running longer and stronger, avoid these five harmful habits.

1. Delaying regular maintenance

Regularly maintaining your car is vital to your car’s longevity. Regular maintenance includes oil and filter replacement, as well as transmission fluid, air filter and brake pad care. Every vehicle manufacturer specifies a different maintenance routine, which can be found in your owner’s manual. While regular maintenance requires you to invest some time and money, it’s peanuts compared to the cost of a new engine or transmission.

2. Ignoring dash warning lights

When a warning indicator lights up on your dash panel, it’s important to address the problem immediately. If you don’t know what the light means, check your owner’s manual or call your mechanic. Dash warning lights can alert you to some very serious problems, such as a coolant leak, which can cause your engine to overheat. A simple preventative repair can often prevent a large problem down the line.

3. Shifting while moving

The transmission is one of the most complex and expensive parts in your car and it’s important to use is as it was intended. Be careful not to shift from drive to reverse or vice versa while the car is still moving. This “jerky” shifting places excess strain on the transmission’s internal gears and can instantly destroy it.

4. Jerky driving

We all know someone who accelerates wildly on every straightaway only to brake hard at a traffic light or stop sign. This type of driving won’t destroy your car immediately, but will cause your engine, transmission and brake system to deteriorate much more quickly than intended. Cars that have been abused will have premature fluid leaks, broken seals and mechanical problems.

5. Putting off tire replacement

Tires for some cars can be expensive, so replacing them is an unwelcome cost. Driving on bald tires is very risky, however. If a tire blows out while you’re driving, you can lose control of your vehicle and have a serious accident. And if you drive with bald tires in the rain, the risk of hydroplaning goes up tremendously. A new set of tires may seem pricey, but probably costs less than your car, and even less than your insurance deductible.