learning about auto repair expenses

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learning about auto repair expenses

Getting my 17 year old son his own car was not really in our family budget. When my dad offered to give my son his old car, my son was thrilled. Sure, it wasn't a pretty car or one that would go fast, but that made me feel a little better about him driving independently. There was some work that needed to be done to get the car ready for the road, but that was something that my son could worry about. He started researching different auto shops in the area and finding the best prices on parts, and when he was done, he got a great deal on the work that the car needed and learned a lot in the process.

Four Mistakes That Could Compromise The Safety Of Your Brakes

When it comes to safety, your brakes are probably one of the most important components of your vehicle. You need to take special care of your brakes if you want to ensure that you and your passengers are safe in even adverse driving conditions.

The following are four mistakes you should avoid to keep your vehicle safe and to maintain your brakes for as long as possible:

Riding your brakes

A lot of drivers have a bad habit of using two feet even when they're driving automatic so that they end up riding their brakes and overusing both the accelerator and the brake.

You should never be applying the brake at the same time that you're applying the accelerator. Even if you've just pushed your brake pedal down a little while accelerating, you can wear out your brakes. Make sure you're only using one foot when driving automatic. Also, if you're driving manual you should not be using your left foot for anything other than applying the clutch. 

Ignoring dashboard warning lights that come on

If you're driving an old car, it's not unlikely that your check engine light is constantly on or comes on once in a while. While it's common for motorists to be used to their check engine light being on, a warning light that's coming on in relation to a brake malfunction should not be overlooked.

If your ABS or any other brake light comes on, make sure you look into it and it least get the opinion of a mechanic before continuing to drive your vehicle without brake repair. 

Neglecting to occasionally check your brake fluid

Keeping your vehicle properly supplied with fluids like oil and coolant is important, but brake fluid is especially important because it helps your vehicle to come to a halt quickly when necessary to avoid collisions.

Regularly check your brake fluid and have it changed when necessary to make sure that your brakes will respond promptly and reliably in emergency situations.  

Not paying attention to unusual sounds when you apply brakes

If there's a problem with your braking system, you're probably going to hear it before your brakes actually start showing a delayed response. Any unusual noises such as creaking or squeaking when you apply brakes indicate a potential problem. 

If your brakes are making unusual noises, your brake pads may be worn out. This is usually a simple and inexpensive problem to repair, but neglecting this routine repair can cause further damage to your braking system. Contact your mechanic or Heritage Auto Pro immediately if you hear unusual noises when applying brakes to prevent extensive and dangerous malfunctions. 


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