The summer weather is setting in, making it the perfect time to get your air conditioning inspection! It’s normal for cars to struggle when temperatures are fluctuating.
Has your car been affected by having to switch from the heater to the air conditioner rapidly? No worries! Come on into Mr. Muffler and we’ll check the condition of your air condition and repair whatever you need to be repaired!
Check out our summer specials! We have a radiator coolant flush starting at $49.95 (price fluctuates with car make and model). And we have a thorough A/C check-up starting at only $19.95! Don’t suffer through the summer’s heat in silence. Come to us and we will fix your air conditioner at a great price!
When people think of AC problems, their thoughts go to the thermostat or control panel. This is due to the control panel being visible and in front of the driver. However, there are a lot of parts that make this cooling system. Just a few weeks ago, a customer came in with no AC running. After popping the hood, it was clear that the AC was running. However, no air was coming through. It was one of the moments where another component of a car can affect your car’s ability to cool down. These components include:
Fortunately, the only problem the customer had was a broken blower fan. However, replacing these fans can be one of the most challenging air conditioning repairs. That is why we recommend getting your car’s AC inspected.
Inspections can catch problems early, which can prevent expensive repairs. An inspection can catch issues like component wear/tear and refrigerant levels. In addition, you can ensure your system is working at optimal performance and has good air quality!
Here are some tips to help you keep your car cooler:
Use a Sunshade or Window Visor
Put up a sunshade or window visor every time you exit your car to keep the interior cool. Keep it even cooler by putting a sunshade in your rearview window as well. Block the sun’s rays from your car!
Use a Dash Cover
A fabric or upholstered dash cover can make your car’s interior more comfortable and a lot less hot. You won’t feel as overwhelmed by the heat if you don’t have to touch hot vinyl and leather surfaces.
Park in a Shady Area
So, whenever possible, park in a shady area. You’ll be happy to enter a not-so-hot car when you return from your being away.
Keep Windows Slightly Cracked
While it’s not a good idea to leave your windows all the way open, it is a good idea to leave them slightly cracked. Even the smallest crack will promote ventilation and help to keep your car from overheating.
Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Come to visit us today at 125 S. Wayne Rd. in Westland, MI or call us at (734) 721-2800. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Over the last couple of articles we have talked about the history of automotive brakes and how they function. Now we are going to talk about the cost of a brake repair. As you know, brakes are essential for your car to function. That means when there are problems with your braking system, you need to repair them as soon as possible. However, everyone gets nervous when it comes to the cost. So, let’s talk about the overall cost of brake repair, replacing your brakes and other factors.
First of all, let’s go over functions that need repair when brakes start to degrade. Most braking issues usually come from brake pads, rotors, and calipers. One of the best ways to ensure these parts don’t decay is to get regular inspections. These checks can help minimize repairs, extend caliper life, and prevent corrosion. This is the advice that I wish I had in college before my brake pads blew and caused massive damage to my car (and a big bill). Unfortunately, there is a point where extensive repairs are required.
Sadly, there is no exact number for the cost brake repairs. Different auto repair shops charge different hourly rates for their work. It also depends on what is being repaired. Fortunately, there are price ranges in parts that can give you an estimate. The cost for different parts are:
For most, the total cost of repairing your brakes can run between $300 – $800. Of course, the type and year of the vehicle are a major factors. Ultimately, it is the labor cost that determines if you are on the heigh or lower end of the spectrum.
If your car shows any signs of problems, you should bring it in for inspections and repairs. Signs that you should be looking for are:
Most people wonder if they need special brakes for foreign cars like Honda or BMW. While these cars were manufactured in different countries, disc and drum brakes are standard. That means you do not have to special order a set of brakes for your car. You can just use any set of disc and drum brakes available at the auto store.
Now that you know the history of brakes and different types of brakes, you might be wondering how the entire brake system works. In this second of a three part series on brakes we try to give some insight this.
Brake systems are what allow people to safely slow down their vehicles. Most of the time, drivers rarely have to deal with brake system failure. Usually, you just need to exchange the occasional brake pad or rotor. However, it is a good idea to know the full extent of your braking system to ensure you are aware when something is wrong with your brakes.
Most modern vehicles use hydraulic systems for braking. The hydraulics are activated once the brake pedal is pressed. Once the pedal is pressed, brake fluid is sent through the brake hose. The hose connects to the caliper, inducing pressure on the caliper’s piston. The caliper squeezes the brake pads on the brake disc, producing friction that causes the vehicle to stop. The same thing happens with drum brakes as well. However, it is the brake shoes that cause the friction to the wheels instead of the brake pads. Both of these brakes rely on the conversion of kinetic energy into heat through friction to bring the vehicle to a stop.
Most brake systems focus on the front wheels of the car, due to the energy from the back wheels being pushed toward the front. As a result, most brakes are focused on the front tires instead of the back tires.
Now that you know the fundamentals of how brake systems work, it is time to go over the warning signs that your brakes are failing. When your brakes fail, it can lead to serious safety issues. Fortunately, your car will give clear signs that there are problems. Signs that your brake system is failing include:
While you are driving, please keep a lookout for these signs so you can get your braking system inspected! If you ever run into brake trouble, you can always visit Mr. Muffler for a full brake inspection to make sure your car is in perfect condition!
This Is the First in a Series of Blog Posts on Automobile Brakes
Since the late 1800s, people have building and improving cars. This includes the different types of brakes for these invaluable machines. Originally, cars only had one type of brake its could use: drum brakes. These became the primary braking system for cars until the introduction of disc brakes in the 1950s. While cars were transitioned to using disc brakes, drum brakes are still used in modern cars. But what is the difference between these two types of brakes?
Since the invention of the car, drum brakes have been a primary braking system. Drum brakes are made up of brake shoes, drums, and wheel cylinders. Each drum brake has a corresponding brake shoe that presses against the drive depresses the brake. Despite advancements of disc brakes, drum brakes are still used in modern cars. You might be wondering why modern cars and trucks would be using them in this century. While drum brakes are only used on the rear wheels, there are some advantages for manufacturers to use them over disk brakes. First of all, drum brakes have fewer components than disc brakes. This makes it easier and cheaper to manufacture. However, manufacturing cost is just a small part of why drum brakes are still essential.
Rear drum brakes generate less heat than disk brakes, making them last longer. Furthermore, it has more friction contact points, giving them more braking power. They also require less maintenance compared to disk brakes due to its corrosion resistance. For these reasons, drum brakes still had a prominent place even after the invention of the disc brake.
While disc brakes were invented around the same time as drum brakes, they did not find practical use till around 1950s. As cars became more powerful, drum brakes had a hard time keeping up. As a result, disc brakes’ superior performance made it quickly become the replacement for much of the drum brake use. Today, most cars have disc brakes installed. However, what features of these brakes made them become standardized in modern cars?
Disc brakes are comprised of calipers, brake rotors, and brake pads. When the driver applies pressure to the brake pedal, the brake pads push against the brake rotor. This system provides better braking power. Disc brakes have a better response time than drum brakes, leading to a fast stop time. They are less likely to warp due to their shorter cooldown time. Disc brakes also handle wet conditions better than drum brakes. This is because liquid does not build up on the disc, unlike it does on a drum brake.
Since both drum and disc brakes are used in vintage and modern vehicles, auto shops need to know about both types of brakes. Mr. Muffler mechanics have extensive knowledge of both older and new cars using drum and/or disc brakes. This is why Mr. Muffler is doing an entire series about brakes. This article covering the history and types of brakes will be followed by brake repairs or replacement and cost comparisons! Join us in our next segment coming soon!
The worst time for a car to become overheated is in the winter cold in Michigan. In addition, even in the dead of winter, your car can overheat. That’s right, even if you are experiencing below-freezing temperatures, overheating your car is possible!
Here is a list of four things that you need to do when your car overheats in Wayne, Garden City, or Livonia.
So, what can cause your car to overheat during the winter? Even when the temperatures are near freezing, your engine can build up the heat under the right circumstances. Some of the most common reasons for overheating include:
Stop The Car
Once you notice that your temperature gauge is abnormally high, then you should pull over when it is safe to do so. After you pull over, you should turn the car off to give the engine time to cool down.
Release The Heat
After letting your engine cool down, you want to carefully open your hood. Releasing your If steam is coming from the radiator cap, be extra careful because it could burn you. Allow your car to cool.
* Do not open the radiator pressure cap if your engine is still hot. *
Check your Coolant Reservoir
If your car is low on coolant, then add coolant to your reservoir until it is to the full line.
Call for Help.
It is better to be safe than sorry. Driving while your car is still overheated can cause more damage.
Car overheating can be an annoying issue even during the winter months. By following the four steps we laid out here it can help deal with this issue. Of course, Mr. Muffler of Westland can provide you with services to help maintain your vehicle all winter long.
If your car is just low on coolant, then it may be safe to drive. To be on the safe side, take your car to Mr. Muffler to get your cooling system pressure-tested or for other full-service auto repair services. Pressure testing your cooling system can help diagnose possible leaks or other problems with your cooling system. Contact Mr. Muffler today to get your overheated vehicle in Wayne County serviced.