AUTONET TV

Don?t Blow Your Cool (Water Pump Replacement)

It’s always a good idea to keep your cool, and that’s especially true when it comes to some components of your vehicle.  One is the engine.  It’s hot under that hood thanks to the mini explosions that are occurring in the internal combustion engine when it’s running.  Your vehicle has a cooling system which takes the heat out of the engine by moving a liquid coolant to a spot where the heat can escape (the radiator). 

The part that keeps that coolant moving is the water pump, which could probably be more accurately called the coolant pump since water is only one component of the fluid that does the cooling. If the water pump fails, your engine can overheat quickly, and that can cause significant and expensive damage to your vehicle.  Water pumps can be driven by belts (mechanical) or electricity (electric).

Your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends mileage intervals when you should consider replacing your water pump even if seems to be working fine.  That way   you are less likely to have a water pump break down at an inopportune time. Some manufacturers recommend replacing it every 60,000-100,000 miles/100,000-160,000 km.

Sometimes your water pump will fail before that, of course.  One sign something is wrong with the cooling system is if you notice the engine is overheating.  An illuminated engine temperature warning light on your dash or a temperature gauge that shows above normal are two things to look for.

You may also see steam coming out of the engine compartment, which is another sign of overheating.  Both could mean your water pump needs replacing.  We also recommend that when your vehicle’s timing belt needs to be replaced that you have the water pump replaced at the same time since everything will already be apart.

When your vehicle is already in to have the water pump replaced, it’s a good time for a technician to examine other cooling system components at the same time.  Those will include belts, pulleys, hoses, clamps as well as the radiator, thermostat and heater core.

Knowledge is Power (Battery Testing)

It’s likely happened to you once or twice.  You head to your vehicle, open the door, turn the key and… lo and behold, your battery is dead. Now you’re stranded, may have to get a jump or a tow, and you’ll definitely be late for wherever you were headed. While your vehicle may sometimes give you warning signs, other times it doesn’t.  

As many as one out of every four vehicles will have to have its battery replaced in the next 12 months.  If you don’t want to be surprised the next time your battery fails, consider having it tested.

There are different types of battery testing.  One measures voltage. Another checks for something called conductance.  By sending a certain type of electric current into the battery, it can measure how healthy your vehicle’s battery is.  There’s also a load test.  It checks how your battery is working while drawing power from it.  Newer test equipment found in professional service facilities can check for a number of different conditions using different methods. 

Most vehicle batteries last around five years.  It all depends on how you drive and in what conditions.  Extreme heat and cold will take their toll on a battery and shorten its life.  Stop-and-go city driving will also place batteries under more stress than smooth, continuous driving.  

So, what are some signs that your battery is starting to show its age? Well, the battery or alternator light may illuminate after you’ve started the vehicle or come on while you are driving.  If you’ve left lights or some equipment on and drained the battery, that can be very hard on it.

Because the battery is one of your vehicle’s most important components, it’s a good idea to have us check it regularly. In addition to examining the battery itself, a technician will also inspect the terminals and cables for corrosion, damage, fraying wires and loose connections.  It’s smart to have us do it before any extreme weather changes are expected or before long trips. In this case, knowledge truly is power.

autoclinic of brandon
901A WEST BRANDON BLVD
brandon, florida 33511
813-654-8686

Stop! And See Us (Brake Pad Replacement)

If you’ve ever driven a bicycle with hand brakes, you’ll probably understand how the brake pads on your vehicle work.  Bicycle brakes use a system that squeezes the bike wheel’s rim with a pair of cushioned pads activated by your hand squeezing the hand brakes on your handlebars. The friction of those pads stops the wheel.

That’s the same principle used for the wheels on your vehicle.  Step on the brake pedal and that causes pads to put pressure on discs in the wheels called rotors.  Those pads create friction and stop the wheels from turning.

Brake pads in vehicles are made from several different materials.  The pads most commonly used are ceramic or a combination of metals.

The friction that stops your vehicle generates heat and wears both the pads and, eventually, the rotors, too.  That means that, over time, both are going to need replacing to work properly.  One sign brake wear is getting noticeable may be  when you hear squeaking when you stop.  Or you might feel the vehicle pulling to one side during braking or the brake light on your dash illuminates.  All are signs to bring your vehicle in to us for inspection and service.

When your vehicle is in for brake pad replacement, our technician will check other components such as the brake calipers, rotors and lines.   

Brakes are something you should have inspected at regular intervals because they are a vital safety component of your vehicle.  Consider having us look at them every 10,000 miles/16,000 km or each time you bring your vehicle in for an oil change. 

autoclinic of brandon
901A WEST BRANDON BLVD
brandon, florida 33511
813-654-8686

Don?t Meddle with the Pedal (Brake Caliper Replacement)

If you drive a newer vehicle, chances are it has disc brakes, and one of the components of that type of brake is called a brake caliper.  The caliper allows the pressure from your foot on the brake pedal to eventually move brake pads against discs in your wheels, which then slow and stop your vehicle.  

If you have disc brakes on all 4 wheels, your vehicle will have 4 calipers.  If you have them just on the front wheels, you’ll only have 2 calipers.  Because your wheels and brakes do their work outside and on the road surface, they are exposed to a lot of dirt and debris, as well as enduring heat, cold, moisture and tough treatment in daily driving.  

Your calipers have seals that are susceptible to the heat generated during the repetitive stops in normal driving, which can take a tough toll on those seals. If you drive when your vehicle’s brake pads and rotors are worn, you can ruin your calipers in the process.  

Here are a few signs that a caliper might be failing:  Your vehicle is pulling to one side when you apply the brakes.  Your pedal goes down to the floor when you push on it.  You hear squeaking from the wheels while braking.  You notice brake fluid on the pavement underneath your vehicle after you’ve parked it for a few hours.  

If you are getting any of those warning signs, it’s important to have one of our technicians determine what’s going on.  There are several brake components that contribute to your vehicle’s safe operation, including the calipers, pads, rotors, brake lines and brake fluid.  

Regular brake maintenance is recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual to prevent dangerous surprises.  And when you see issues, have your brakes serviced as soon as you see signs of trouble.

autoclinic of brandon
901A WEST BRANDON BLVD
brandon, florida 33511
813-654-8686