Brake Rotors turning up the heat for a Brake Replacement?

What causes your car to actually come to a stop? To put it simply, the action of stepping on the brake pedal builds up energy by depressing on the throttle. This energy is converted into friction and heat, which in turns slows, and then will bring your vehicle to a complete stop—that is, if everything is in good working order. This process is repeated without any thought from you hundreds of times every time you head down the road. As this action is consistently repeated, the friction and heat created by the brake pads clamping down on the brake rotors actually wears down their metal surface. As time goes on, problems arise, possibly leading to a costly brake replacement.

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What's your combination—too thin or too hot?

When brake rotors get too thin, they lose their ability to channel heat away from the braking process causing them to overheat. Overheating can cause a myriad of problems and lead to a premature brake replacement. As the pads get too hot, they produce gases that can cause your brakes to fail. When brake rotors overheat, they will warp and discolor. And, brake fluid can boil, causing a total failure in the braking system!

Out of round?

Perfect brake rotors are smooth and flat, shaped like a dinner plate. The measure of this flatness is called run-out. A difference as small as .001 inch off-center may be felt in the pedal. As brake rotors warp, they resemble a wavy potato chip. If consistently overheated, they may develop deep scars. As this occurs, your mechanic will recommend a brake replacement to ensure your safety.

Brake Replacement Time?

If you feel a vibration as you step on the brake pedal, it's time to schedule an inspection. First, your mechanic should measure the rotor's minimum thickness. Secondly, they should inspect the run-out. If the rotor still meets certain specifications, it may be resurfaced and reinstalled. However, if any of the measurements exceed the stated specifications, the brake rotors will need to be replaced.

Don't be tempted to skimp or cut corners on a brake service. It's makes good sense for safety and peace of mind.

Need a quality brake replacement? Contact an ASE-certified technician at one of our three Excel Auto Repair service centers. We will be happy to answer any of your car care questions. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you and to find our oil change coupons. Our three auto shops are conveniently located in  Eagan, MN, Spring Lake Park, MN, and Rochester, MN.

Transmission Fluid Change: An important Transmission Repair

A transmission fluid change, sometimes called a transmission flush, should be part of your regular vehicle maintenance, just like an oil change or replacing the coolant in your radiator. Regular service can help you avoid costly transmission repair. Generally, you should have a service every 24,000 miles, or every two years. Some manufactures recommend longer service intervals like 50,000 or 100,000 miles. However, these intervals may exceed any opportunity for you to identify problems early on so you can avoid minor problems turning into a major transmission repair.

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Transmission Fluid Change, or Transmission Flush?

Generally, a transmission fluid change service replaces about 1/3 to 1/2 of the fluid inside the transmission and is adequate for a regularly-maintained motor. For more severe instances you may consider a transmission flush, which is intended to replace nearly 100% of the fluid. It requires a specialized machine that pumps new fluid through the transmission's lube and cooler circuit, replacing the old fluid.

A word of caution: if you elect the flush, make sure you have the filter replaced as well, provided it is accessible.Your decision to consider a regular service or transmission fluid change can be determined by the condition of the fluid.

Reseal Service

Sometimes, an automatic develops a leak but operates fine in all other aspects. For this, a reseal service is the best transmission repair which includes:

   1. Removing your automatic transmission

   2. Replacing all the external seals (which usually requires partial disassembly of the transmission).

   3. Reinstalling the transmission back into the car.

The transmission is filled with new fluid along with any necessary adjustments and then road tested to insure proper operation. During the required disassembly to replace the seals, the technician can verify whether or not other internal components are in good shape and address any problems at that time.

If you have other questions about a transmission fluid change, we will be happy to answer them for you. Stop in one of our convenient Excel Auto Repair service centers and ask our ASE-certified technicians for their recommendation. Or, check out our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you and to find out more about transmission repair. Our three auto shops are conveniently located in  Eagan, MN, Spring Lake Park, MN, and Rochester, MN.