AUTONET TV

It Is Time to Check Your Intervals

Part of the engineering that goes into designing a vehicle is testing the components to ensure that they meet durability and safety standards. Because of this, manufacturers have a good idea as to how long the parts in your vehicle will last under normal driving conditions. For this reason, they give us guidelines to follow regarding how often to inspect the various parts and systems on our vehicles.

Vehicular components are required to meet certain standards. The government mandates some of these standards. Others are set by the auto industry. Recommended car maintenance schedules are designed to help Louisville vehicle owners maintain these standards. Disregarding routine maintenance or procrastinating preventive maintenance will result in lowered performance and reduced safety for a vehicle.

Maintenance schedules are designed to ensure three areas of automotive performance for Louisville drivers: protection of the vehicle itself, efficiency and safety.

Protection

Your vehicle's components need protection from dirt, road damage, rust, corrosion and fuel and combustion by-products. Protective components include filters and fluids.

Most of the fluids in your vehicle are there to keep the vehicle running smoothly and to protect the vehicle from corrosion, damage or harmful contaminants. These fluids need to be changed regularly in order to continue protecting your vehicle.

For example, motor oil lubricates your engine; that keeps it running well, but it also contains detergents and other additives that clean your engine and protect it from corrosion. Your vehicle's engine was engineered for best performance with a specific weight and type of motor oil. Louisville drivers should always be careful to use the right motor oil for their engine.

Over time, the  additives in motor oil are depleted, and the oil becomes contaminated by dirt, water and waste gases from combustion. So in order to keep your engine clean and to continue to protect it from corrosion, the oil has to be changed periodically.

Efficiency

Over time, your vehicle's systems will get dirty and parts will wear down. Cleaning dirty systems and replacing worn parts will improve the efficiency of your vehicle, which is usually measured in terms of and power output.

For example, your fuel system components gradually get clogged up with gum and varnish from gasoline. This restricts fuel flow, which lowers your engine's efficiency. Gas mileage drops as a result. Cleaning your fuel system will restore and improve gas mileage.

Safety

Some of your vehicle's systems must be maintained for safety reasons. Your brakes are a prime example of this. Brake pads and brake fluid need to be replaced in order to ensure good braking power. Poorly maintained brakes lead to accidents.

Your owner's manual is your first resource when it comes to knowing when and how to maintain your vehicle. Of course, you can consult with your American Brake Centers Inc. service advisor. He can give you good auto advice on how to adjust your service schedule to account for climate, local road conditions and your driving distances.

Beyond routine maintenance, your vehicle also requires regular inspections. These inspections are usually recommended at specific mileage intervals, like 15,000 or 20.000 miles (24,000 km or 32,000 km). The interval is based on the known life expectancy for particular components in your vehicle. Regular inspections will identify vehicular components that need to be repaired or replaced before damage is done to the vehicle or safety is compromised. They are also designed to safeguard the efficiency and performance of your vehicle.

The multi-point inspection that comes with a full-service oil change does not cover all of the regular inspections your vehicle needs for peak performance and safety. Check with the automotive professionals at American Brake Centers Inc. in Louisville to find out what additional inspections your vehicle needs and how often. Good car care requires regular and consistent maintenance. But good maintenance pays for itself in better and fewer repairs. It may even save your life.

American Brake Centers Inc.
3435 Bashford Ave Ct.
Louisville, KY 40218
502-459-0355
www.americanbrakecenters.biz

Helping Your Engine Breathe Easier

You may have heard someone tell you it’s time to replace your vehicle’s engine air filter and thought, “It’s OK.  I’ll do it in a while.”  While it’s tempting to put that off, keep in mind that having your engine air filter replaced is one of the easiest ways to maintain your vehicle’s performance and efficiency.  Here’s why.

Your engine needs the air that comes in to be clean because a proper fuel/oxygen mixture is necessary for good combustion.  If you wait too long to have the filter replaced, dust, dirt, air pollutants and debris from the road hamper the engine’s ability to get enough air.  That can lead to poor acceleration, lower fuel economy and strain on other engine parts.

The reason a dirty engine air filter reduces your fuel economy is that the engine’s computers have to compensate for lowered air intake by supplying more fuel to produce the same power. Over time, you’ll notice a significant difference. It’s important that you protect your engine from contaminants in the air. If dirt and dust aren’t filtered out before they get to the engine, that can cause premature wear on cylinders, pistons and other engine parts. In the long run, it may lead to costly repairs that are a lot more expensive than the cost of a filter.

If you value keeping our planet’s air clean, a fresh filter will improve the performance of your vehicle’s emission system, helping it run cleaner and reducing its impact on the environment

Think about it.  Getting a new engine air filter is quick, inexpensive and pays off with big benefits. Consider what it delivers for your engine’s performance, its long-term health and your fuel costs.  You and your engine will both breathe easier.

American Brake Centers Inc.
3435 Bashford Ave Ct.
Louisville, KY 40218
502-459-0355
www.americanbrakecenters.biz

Control Arms: Small Part, Big Impact

Here’s one part of your vehicle you may never have heard of: the control arm.  It’s the part that connects the wheel hub and steering knuckle to your vehicle’s frame.  What it does is lets your wheel move up and down while keeping it aligned with your vehicle.  

Most control arms have things called ball joints and bushings.  They take a constant beating and wear out after a while.  It’s important to make sure your control arms are in good shape so your steering is stable and handling easy.  It also reduces wear on your tires and allows your suspension parts to wear evenly.  

How do you know if you need a new control arm?  You might feel clunks or knocking sounds every time you drive over a bump.  Your tires may wear unevenly and you might feel your steering wheel vibrate.  You might find your vehicle pulls to one side when you’re driving. 

If you notice some of these signs, it’s a good idea to bring your vehicle over so one of our technicians can check things out.  If they find you need a new control arm, they’ll remove the old one, install the new one and tighten bolts to specifications recommended by the manufacturer. 

Sometimes we recommend replacing other components, such as sway bars, if it appears they’ve worn out.  It’s also a good idea to have us replace both control arms to keep your handling even.  And after a control arm replacement, it’s best to have us perform a wheel alignment.  

American Brake Centers Inc.
3435 Bashford Ave Ct.
Louisville, KY 40218
502-459-0355
www.americanbrakecenters.biz

What to Do in Case of an Accident in Louisville

Screeching tires, crunching metal – it's an accident! If you've ever been in a car accident in Louisville, even a minor one, you know how upsetting it can be. It's hard to think straight and know what to do.

Let's review what Louisville drivers should do in case of an accident:

When an accident occurs, you should always stop. Leaving the scene of an accident in Louisville is considered a crime - even if it's not your fault. And hit and run penalties are fairly severe, possibly resulting in steep fines, loss of your KY driver's license or even jail time.

Your jurisdiction may require that you try to help someone who is injured by calling for help or performing first aid if you are able. Warn other motorists by putting out flares, using your flashers or lifting your hood. Call Louisville emergency services as soon as possible. Tell the operator if medical or fire help is needed.

You should always file a police report. It's tempting to skip this if everything seems to be ok. But without a police report, the other guy can say whatever he wants about the accident later, and you won't have an objective report to help defend yourself. Discuss the accident only with the police. Emotions are strong after an accident and we naturally want to talk about it – don't. Never admit fault or guilt to anyone including the Louisville police officer. Sometimes we may feel at fault, but in the eyes of the law, the other guy may be responsible.

Truthfully give the officer the facts: such as, "I was going 30 miles an hour," or, "I was going 55 kilometers per hour," not, "I wasn't speeding." Remember, anything you say to the officer or anyone else can be used against you. Also get the officer's name and ID number and ask where you can get a copy of the accident report.

Get the facts on the driver and owner of the other vehicle:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Date of birth
• Driver's license number and expiration
• Insurance information

Also take down a description of the other vehicle, license plate and vehicle identification number (VIN). Most KY auto insurance companies don't record license plate numbers, so the VIN is the best way to track a vehicle in KY.

Ask witnesses, including passengers, to wait for the police. If they can't wait, ask for contact information and request that they write a brief description of what they saw. If someone refuses to leave their name, write down their license plate number so the police can track them down later if necessary. Always call your insurance agent or your insurance company. Call or see a physician if you think you may have been injured. For vehicle repairs, call American Brake Centers Inc. at 502-459-0355.

Contact American Brake Centers Inc. to learn more about what to do in case of an auto accident.
You can find us at:

3435 Bashford Ave Ct.
Louisville, KY 40218
502-459-0355
www.americanbrakecenters.biz

Knowledge is Power (Battery Testing)

It’s likely happened to you once or twice.  You head to your vehicle, open the door, turn the key and… lo and behold, your battery is dead. Now you’re stranded, may have to get a jump or a tow, and you’ll definitely be late for wherever you were headed. While your vehicle may sometimes give you warning signs, other times it doesn’t.  

As many as one out of every four vehicles will have to have its battery replaced in the next 12 months.  If you don’t want to be surprised the next time your battery fails, consider having it tested.

There are different types of battery testing.  One measures voltage. Another checks for something called conductance.  By sending a certain type of electric current into the battery, it can measure how healthy your vehicle’s battery is.  There’s also a load test.  It checks how your battery is working while drawing power from it.  Newer test equipment found in professional service facilities can check for a number of different conditions using different methods. 

Most vehicle batteries last around five years.  It all depends on how you drive and in what conditions.  Extreme heat and cold will take their toll on a battery and shorten its life.  Stop-and-go city driving will also place batteries under more stress than smooth, continuous driving.  

So, what are some signs that your battery is starting to show its age? Well, the battery or alternator light may illuminate after you’ve started the vehicle or come on while you are driving.  If you’ve left lights or some equipment on and drained the battery, that can be very hard on it.

Because the battery is one of your vehicle’s most important components, it’s a good idea to have us check it regularly. In addition to examining the battery itself, a technician will also inspect the terminals and cables for corrosion, damage, fraying wires and loose connections.  It’s smart to have us do it before any extreme weather changes are expected or before long trips. In this case, knowledge truly is power.

American Brake Centers Inc.
3435 Bashford Ave Ct.
Louisville, KY 40218
502-459-0355
www.americanbrakecenters.biz