BRAKES

How Often Should Your Brakes Be Checked?

Brakes are important components on your vehicle as they directly impact performance and handling. Keeping them in good working condition will help ensure your safety on the road.

Your vehicle's owner's manual was created to serve as a guide for all your automotive care needs, including brake maintenance. If you are wondering how often you should have your car or truck's brakes checked, that is the first place you want to look. However, most vehicles should have their brakes inspected every 8,000 to 10,000 miles.

Your driving habits also play a role in how often you should have brakes checked or serviced. There are certain things you can do on the road to help make your brakes last longer, such as watching your speed. The slower the speed of the vehicle when it brakes, the less energy it has to dissipate and this means less brake material is used. Changing your braking fluid, periodically, will also help maintain your brakes.

Other methods for maintaining your brakes include watching your vehicle's weight by not carrying around unnecessary items. The heavier your vehicle, the more your brakes have to work to stop it.

While there are some measures you can take to extend your brake life, you want to make sure to replace them when necessary.

When Do I Need to Replace My Brakes?

• If you hear squealing or grinding when you brake

• The pedal feels unusually soft or hard when you press it

• There are clicking noises when you press the brakes

• Your car pulls to the left or right when you are braking

Family Auto is your full-service auto shop for complete brake service for most passenger and light truck vehicles. Our certified technicians will inspect your brake system and repair it accordingly. Services include everything from disc pads or shoes, machine and true brake rotors and drums, repacking wheel bearings, greasing seals, replacing drum hardware, and road testing your vehicle to make sure they are working properly.

BATTERIES

Battery Repair and Replacement

Checking your battery and making sure it is in great shape is important to your vehicle's overall performance.

Have your battery checked, at least, once a year if it is more than two years old. You can visit us to have one of our automotive experts give your battery a free inspection.

Excessive low and high temperatures are two of the most common causes of damage to your battery, which means it may become weaker during the winter and summer months. Our technicians will inspect your battery with a free load test to determine its strength and condition and make sure it is working properly.

There are some steps you can take to help keep your battery in optimal condition. Keeping the top of it free from dirt, which acts as a conductor and drains its power, is one key step to maintaining your battery. You can also make sure to shut off all of your accessories at night such as the lights, heat and interior lights.

When it is time to replace your current battery, We has you covered. These batteries are designed to deliver maximum performance under the toughest conditions.

Our technicians will install your new battery*, clean the battery tray, cables and connectors, and replace any corroded parts.

Learn more about the importance of auto care and the parts of your vehicle that work with your battery to keep your vehicle running, properly.

*Some installations may be free, depending on the make and model of the vehicle. Please ask your technician for more details as some vehicles may have complex placements of the battery and there will be a charge applied to your invoice.