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Do you hear grinding noise when braking?

Stopping your vehicle is an important safety feature, don’t you think? What does it mean when you hit the brakes and you hear an awful grinding noise or shaking?

One of the most crucial parts on any vehicle are the brakes. While it’s important to handle any engine problems that come, it can be argued that brake problems are even more critical since they determine whether your car actually stops.

When you step on the brake pedal, the front wheel brakes have a bigger role in slowing down the vehicle than rear wheel brakes. The reason for this is that the weight of the car pushes forward when you apply the brakes.

When you hear an annoying sound such as grinding, rubbing, squealing, or metal scraping sound while driving and applying the brakes, then you may have a problem. Sometimes it might be nothing and the sound will go away on its own. But if the sound is consistent and does not go away or even gets worse, you likely have some type of brake issue. You should bring it in before you are unable to stop!

Possible reasons for brake noise:

  1. Worn brake pads
  2. Poor quality pads
  3. Worn shims
  4. Foreign debris
  5. Worn rotors
  6. No lubrication
  7. Faulty wheel bearings

Call us today 269-858-3008 and drive safely!

 

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Stay cool this summer

a/c recharge

A vehicle without cool a/c can be an uncomfortable ride. A properly working air conditioner keeps you and everyone else in the vehicle comfortable and cool all the way to your destination. Plus your kids and pets will thank you!

Your vehicle’s a/c system cools and removes moisture from the air inside of your vehicle using three main components: the compressor, the condenser and the evaporator.

The compressor, driven by the vehicle’s drive belt, pumps the refrigerant through the a/c system. Inside, the refrigerant is exposed to high and low pressure, forcing it to change states between gas and liquid in order to capture and then release heat. As a gas, the refrigerant passes through the evaporator, capturing heat. The refrigerant then moves through the air conditioning lines and into the condenser, where the refrigerant cools as heat is released outside of the passenger compartment, and the refrigerant returns to a liquid.

For the system to work optimally, the system must have the proper amount of refrigerant and be free of contaminants.

L & T Auto Repair visually inspects the air conditioning compressor drive belt, serpentine belt and all accessible components for cracks, leaks and damage. Then we check the operation of the air conditioning compressor. If no leaks or damage are found, we evacuate the refrigerant from the system, vacuum test and recharge the air conditioning system using the appropriate refrigerant according to your vehicle manufacturer’s specification.

Call us today 269-858-3008 and drive nice and cool this summer!

 

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Driving in The Polar Vortex

Driving in the Polar Vortex

Well folks, we are right in the middle of the Polar Vortex, and in true Michigan fashion, we can’t be sure if next week is going to be a false spring or colder than the North Pole. Just to be on the safe side though, if you haven’t already giving your vehicle some special attention this winter, here are a few tips from L& T, the best local auto shop near you:

  1. Check your tire pressure– including your spare. To avoid that TPMS light going on in the midst of a trek out of town, or worse, sliding around an icy back road, get your tire pressure checked frequently. If salting the road just isn’t keeping you from slipping all over the place or getting stuck in the snow, consider bringing your vehicle in today to get new winter tires.
  2. Keep your gas tank ½ full– To avoid those gas lines from getting frozen over, keep that ½ tank full.
  3. Get your battery checked– Is the battery in your winter-worn Dodge nearing its third or fourth birthday? If it is, there’s never a better time to replace your truck battery. Unfortunately, batteries don’t always warn you when they’re about to fail, so to be on the safe side, get it checked and replaced before it becomes a problem.
  4. Make sure your brakes work well– There is nothing more terrifying than feeling your car spin out on the ice. If you have any doubts about the condition of your vehicle’s brakes, bring it in today and our mechanics will service them for you.
  5. Drive slowly and safely– Running late for work? Don’t risk your safety by going above the speed limit in the winter weather! Go the speed limit, stay safe, and drive with extra caution as Michigan weather fluctuates between sunny and freezing rain.
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