Since 2012, all new cars sold in the US have been required to have a traction control system (TCS). First developed in the early 1970s, traction control was introduced to help prevent “wheel spin” due to loss of grip. Multiple studies have confirmed the effectiveness of traction control in reducing accidents. Not surprisingly, the technology […]
Category: Brakes
What Are Emergency Brakes and How Do They Work?
Every vehicle is equipped with an emergency brake, also known as a parking brake or a handbrake. The emergency brake locks the wheels of your vehicle to help keep the vehicle from unintentionally moving. In other words, the emergency brake is designed primarily to hold your already parked car in place. The best use of […]
The Ultimate Guide to Bleeding Your Brakes
Is your brake pedal no longer feeling as solid as it used to—or worse, going straight to the floor when you press on it? Then you may be overdue for a brake bleed. This process is as important as changing pads or any other brake service to keep your vehicle working its best. However, plenty […]
Antilock Brake Basics: Understanding Your Stopping Power in Emergencies and Slippery Situations
How often have you driven in icy conditions? Have you ever slammed on your brakes to avoid a collision? The slip and slide of wintry roads is not an experience for the faint of heart, and neither is a situation that requires emergency braking. Drivers are left with a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel […]
The Rundown on Brake Rotors
If you’re anything like me, then for the longest time, what you knew about brake rotors came from early 2000s movies and video games. That meant that if you wanted a car to stop quickly, the disks absolutely needed to be gold, drilled, and, most importantly, connected to a red caliper. Then, when you got […]
Critical Considerations When Buying a Used Motorcycle
Riding a motorcycle is incredibly rewarding. It readily satiates your need for speed and thrills, also making you vulnerable and heightening your situational awareness. Instead of being protected by a vehicle, you’re exposed to the elements and experience the world with all your senses. It’s magical and exhilarating, inspiring many first-time and experienced riders to […]
Floating vs Fixed: Should I Upgrade My Brake Calipers?
When it comes to automotive design principles and philosophies for competing parts and engineering options, there are always going to be debates and arguments about which type of part or mechanism is best. For example, take diesel vs. gas, turbocharged vs. naturally aspirated, and floating vs. fixed calipers. In the last example, for anyone interested […]
Why You Should Make Brake Bedding Part of Your Routine
Given their role in bringing your two-ton car, truck, or SUV to a stop, you can really never be too careful ensuring your brakes are in good working order. We all know the standard maintenance checklist when it comes to the brakes—keeping an eye on brake fluid, replacing brake pads every 20,000 miles, and brake […]
PowerStop Versus DFC: Who’s the Aftermarket Brake Boss?
The stock brake pads that come on most vehicles are thoroughly tested to ensure reliable, consistent stopping power. They’re often relatively quiet, produce little dust, and are designed to make the braking process feel as smooth as possible. These are all great qualities when it comes to a daily driver, but once you start adding […]
Getting the Most from Your Nissan LEAF: Routine Maintenance Basics
Routine maintenance is one of the many considerations when shopping for electric vehicles for sale. Every car, whether it has an internal combustion engine or an electric powertrain, is an investment worth protecting, and scheduled maintenance is essential to extending its longevity and heightening its performance. But what does that maintenance look like for electric […]
No-So-Good Vibrations: Diagnosing a Shaky Steering Wheel
Drivers of a certain age will remember the gaming revolution that was the Rumble Pak, an optional add-on to a popular video game controller that enhanced the experience by providing a little shake in response to the action on screen. The feature was particularly useful in racing titles, where you’d be met with a little […]
Brake Rotors 101: A Critical Component for Stopping Your Car
Did you know the average American applies their brakes approximately 200 times each day? Whether stopping at a red light or using your brake to reduce your speed, your brakes are critical to your safety behind the wheel and everyone else’s safety on the road. Because of this, finding a reputable team to handle brake […]
Stuck Brake Caliper? Start Here
Given the role your brakes play in your automotive safety, there’s no underestimating the importance of a regular brake service. Bringing a one-and-a-half-ton vehicle to a stop is no small task, requiring a number of vital components to work in complete harmony every time you press the brake pedal. Of these, the brake calipers play […]
Be Sure to Do Your Routine Summer Maintenance
If you’re like me and you grew up in Arizona, then you know summer to be the time when you need to do everything you can to avoid the apocalyptic rays of the sun and escape those scorching temperatures that aim to sear your brain. But for everyone else, summer is when you want to […]
Understanding Your Stopping Power: The Different Types of Automotive Brakes
You may not give your brakes much thought, but they are essential to your safety behind the wheel and your vehicle’s performance. For example, you engage the brake pedal in rush-hour traffic, maintaining a safe distance from the truck slowing down ahead of you. Likewise, you use the brakes to slow your speed on the […]
Repair or Replace: A Guide to Automotive Maintenance
It’s a well-known fact that routine maintenance at regular intervals is a fundamental practice of not only owning a vehicle but also ensuring that it lasts for a considerable length of time. The world of auto maintenance is made of two different practices, repairing and replacing. Chances are that you’ve visited an auto repair shop […]
Resurfacing vs Replacing Brake Rotors: What You Need to Know
There are plenty of reasons why you might need to visit your local Ford or Toyota service center. Some are no cause for concern, like coming in for a regularly scheduled oil change or tire rotation, but when you’re having issues (especially issues with your braking system), things can get a little scarier—and a little […]
Keep Your Honda in Tip-Top Shape This Spring
Springtime is here again, and that means it is time to clean the salt out of the car, wash it off, and take it in for routine maintenance. Hondas are incredibly reliable vehicles, often lasting for hundreds of thousands of miles. Honda owners swear by their reliability. As with any mechanical device, cars last the […]
Common Types of Brake Service You Should Know
If I had to choose the single-most-important part of your vehicle, I’d choose two: the tires and the brakes. While your tires are essential for staying in control of your vehicle, this becomes a bit less important if you can’t safely stop your vehicle – so it’s really a tie between the two. The key […]
Rebuilding Brake Calipers? Start Here
Some drivers might hesitate at the idea of working on vital components like their vehicle’s brakes, but many tasks are well within reach of the average DIY mechanic. Brake calipers are a great example. A vital part of the brake assembly that’s responsible for slowing down your vehicle, brake calipers might seem like an ambitious […]
Exploring the Sights, Smells, and Sounds of Failing Brakes
While many of today’s vehicles include a bevy of advanced safety features, your Honda’s brakes are still the first line of defense when you’re behind the wheel. Of all the components in a vehicle, drivers tend to interact with their brakes more than most. This can lead to a lot of wear and tear but […]