CAR CAHRE CORNER Tips On Vehicle Maintenance And Repair (NAPSA)—Here’s some car maintenanceadvice that will help keep your vehicl operating properly ‘and hopefully save you money. For starters, make sure your car h the right brakes and they're working properly. Today’s vehicles are composed of advanced technological systems. Brakes are part of that system andconfiguredto interact with the other vehicle componentsin a certain way. Brake replacement work can be donejust about anywhere, but installing aftermarket brake components not tested and designedfor thatparticular vehicle may hurt other partsof the braking system andcause problems. “Tf you have one weak link in a system, the other links have to work harder to make up for that deficiency,” said Kurt Pursche, brake systemsspecialist, GM Service and Parts Operations. “The let expensive component of the braking system is the brake pad, butif you skimponthepad,it will cause the entire system a whole to work harder, which could lead to more expensive repairs downtheroad.” Replacement brake components are not regulated to any specific performance or design standards. That’s whyit’s important to have brake work performed at a dealer. Goodwrench technicians go through extensive brake service training that includes familiarization with complex braking technologies such anti-lock brakes and StabiliTrak systems. The companyalso offers a full line of Genuine GM Parts and ACDelco aftermarket. brake products that are tested and manufactured to meet specific brake performance standards. Chuck Greening, president, Greening Labs, Inc., and his engi- brake application and lets you know the brake pad is getting low and should be replaced. Signsthat o vehicle may need new brakes: 1) Poor brakes may cause whistling, squeaking, grinding or Taking a vehicle back to the dealer for brake service can ensure you'll get quality parts, brakes specifically designed and tested for your car, and componentsinstalled by trained technicians. neering team havebeen testing and certifying aftermarket brake components from a variety of brake manufacturers for more than 40 years. They recommend consumers look for brake components that are designed and tested to meet specific performance requirements for their individual vehicle whenit's time to have brake work performed. “There are no Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standardsfor aftermarket brakes, so getting replacement brake parts that have been tested to meet certain perfor mance standards is essential,” said Greening. “Companies like GM cometo usto certify that the brakes theyoffer their customers meet specific design and quality standards.” How do you know whenit's timeto replace the brakes? There are no specific visual characteristics to determineif a car’s brakes are bad without taking the wheeloff the vehicle. However, manyvehicles come equipped with a small thin piece of metal attachedto the brakepadthat acts a warningindicator. This device makes a chirping noise during pulsing or may make the vehicle shimmy. 2) You need to press harder on the pedal to makethe vehicle stop or the brake pedal can be pushed all the wayto thefloor. 3) The vehicle pulls to one side when pressure is applied to the brakes. Some reons for brake failure include excessive heat or using the wrong product on the vehicle. Heat can be caused by extreme use (such “riding” the brakes while driving), constant use in intense conditions (such moun- tain driving) or improper calibration. Extreme heat can damage brakerotors, leading to moreserious and expensive problems. Tips for making brakes lt longer: 1) Replace brakes with original equipment manufacturer replacement parts designed and tested specifically for that vehicle. 2) Don’t overload the vehicle with too much cargo or a trailer it can’t handle. 3) Don't drag the brakes while accelerating. 4) Make sure the parking brake is in good working order andtest. it often. Goodwrench recommends and performs regular brake inspec- tions part of its Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection process every timea car is brought infor service. Additional brake replacement. recommendations are outlined in the vehicle's owner's manual. Learn More For more information, visit www.goodwrench.com.
