Brakes

Stay Safe - Maintain Your Brakes!

Brakes are the most important safety device on your car. If you’ve ever partially lost your brakes in the past, you’ll agree that it’s not something you want to experience again. Inspecting your brakes twice a year for wear and damage can protect you and your passengers. Additionally, it will also help save you money by catching any damage before it becomes too costly.

Brake System Component Issues

The master cylinder, the heart of the vehicles braking system, holds the brake fluid when it is not being delivered to the brakes through the brake lines. If brake fluid leaks because the master cylinder is worn or brake lines are plugged or broken, the fluid cannot be delivered and the brake pads will become ruined.

The brake fluid itself can become dirty or contaminated as it draws rust-causing moisture and picks up other debris, or it can break down from excess heat. Clean brake fluid is either clear or slightly yellow, while dirty brake fluid may be brown or even black. Old and dirty brake fluid can damage ABS brake systems internally.

The brake lines connect to the master cylinder through a combination valve, which combines a metering and proportioning valve. It regulates the pressure on the front and rear wheels to make sure both sets of brakes are applied simultaneously. A malfunctioning combination valve may cause the wheels to lock up.

Brake System Parts Wear Out Over Time

Brake pads and shoes can be made of ceramic, metal or organic materials, while the disc rotors and drums they press against are made of metal. Because the pads and shoes create friction to stop the car, they gradually wear down over time and may wear away completely, letting the metal of the calipers and cylinders they are attached to grind against the rotors and drums and damage them. Some pads have a metal strip attached that sounds a warning whistle when the pad becomes too worn, but this strip sounds only when the car is in motion and the brakes are not applied.

Make sure to have your mechanic routinely check your vehicle's brakes to maintain the safety of your vehicle.

Automotive Electrical Repair

Information About Automotive Electrical Repair

Most of a modern vehicle’s systems are controlled by electrical components, and occasionally these components can fail. Part of what we do at Tune Tech Automotive is diagnose and repair automotive electrical components.

Check Your Vehicle's Starter

One of the most important parts in a vehicle is the starter. This is what turns the engine over when you put your key into the ignition to start it. There are a myriad of conditions that can cause problems with the starter in a vehicle, ranging from minor to major repairs. Because of this, it’s recommended to have a professional mechanic check the state and function of the vehicle’s starter once a year.

A Car's Alternator Is Essential

The next crucial part of a vehicle’s electrical system is the alternator. The alternator keeps the vehicle running continuously by charging the electrical systems. It does this by feeding a charge to the battery, which, in turn, charges the other electrical components of the vehicle. Because it is such a vital piece of the vehicular puzzle, it can be very expensive to replace. However, other things can impact the performance of the alternator, so it’s important to have your mechanic check it regularly. Many vehicles have an alternator warning light that reads “ALT” or a small battery symbol that will light up on your control panel. Some signs of a failing alternator can include erratic dimming or brightening of headlights, or speedometers/tachometers suddenly not working for no apparent reason. If you experience any of these “symptoms”, bring your vehicle in as soon as possible!

Be Aware Of The Age Of Your Vehicle's Battery

As mentioned above, a car’s battery feeds a charge to the rest of the vehicle’s electrical system. Most batteries need to be replaced every 3-4 years on average. Several factors influence battery life, such as extreme heat or cold, vibrations from consistent rough travel, and even driving style. You will find that most vehicle batteries come with a warranty for failure within one year of purchase.When a car battery is getting old and in need of replacement, you may or may not know it. Many car owners find that when their battery is around 4 years old it just dies! However inconvenient, this is actually an easy fix. Many times the life of the battery is checked with every oil change, which is usually around every 3,000 miles.

Other electrical components that we regularly repair are tail and headlights, power steering and windows, windshield wipers, and more. Many times the repairs to these electrical components are relatively simple, and due to a blown fuse or bad wiring. Sometimes car owners change these components themselves, but we can happily make sure it’s done correctly with the right parts.

Trust a good mechanic to diagnose and repair your automotive electrical problems, and be sure to contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment!

Oil Change Information

Oil Change FAQ

My shop, Tune Tech Automotive in Aurora, has been in business since 1995. We are a family owned and operated automotive service center that provides repair, tune ups, and belt and hose replacement, to major engine repair and transmission replacement. The technicians are ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified and are equipped to handle all major and minor repairs on domestic as well as foreign vehicles. Tune Tech is a certified NAPA AutoCare Center. Since opening my business in 1995 I have answered many questions about automotive repair, and some of the most commonly asked questions are in regards to oil changes.

Why Change My Car's Oil?

I was asked about why it’s important to change your car’s oil. As your engine runs the oil collects contaminants, that get absorbed by the oil, so it loses it’s ability to lubricate. Oil is the essential lubricant for your car’s engine, and it lets metal work against metal. Oil picks up not only the dirt, but small metal particles and and other impurities from the engine and circulates them to the oil filter so they don’t damage your engine. Contaminants like these can interfere with the regular workings of your engine because it becomes thick and abrasive over time.

What Does Oil Do?

Oil doesn’t just help filter out dirt and contaminants. It also acts as a coolant for the engine. It lowers the friction between the metal parts in your engine. Your engine also moves oil that’s sat in the oil pan, allowing it to cool off. Sometimes vehicles also move oil through a tube in the radiator where it’s cooled off even more efficiently. Without oil, a car’s engine could seize, causing costly repairs for the owner. I can’t stress how important this simple component is to the life and quality of your vehicle. It’s relatively inexpensive, as well.

How Often Should I Change The Oil In My Vehicle?

It’s best to change your vehicle’s oil according to the manufacturer’s guidelines set forth in your owner’s manual, and that those intervals may vary. If you don’t have a owners manual, it depends on the driving conditions, the type of oil you are using, and the vehicle you are driving. If you are using a conventional oil I would recommend 3000 miles. If you are using a full synthetic oil I would recommend changing the oil every 5000 miles.

Do I Have To Replace The Filter?

Another important aspect of changing the oil in a car is the oil filter. It filters out all the solid contaminants that are in the oil that you don’t want circulating through the engine causing engine damage. Over time the filter builds up all the contaminants, so it’s important to be sure to change it every time the oil is switched out.

What Happens To Used Oil?

I frequently field the question of what Tune Tech Automotive does with all the used motor oil we accumulate while working on hundreds of local customers’ vehicles each week. We collect the motor oil, and are able to store it and recycle it to heat the shop. We use an EPA approved clean burning furnace that works very well!

More information about oil changes and auto repair can be found on this page of Tune Tech Automotive’s website.