How Automobile Brake Systems Work

How brake systems work

Now that you know the history of brakes and different types of brakes, you might be wondering how the entire brake system works. In this second of a three part series on brakes we try to give some insight this.

Brake systems are what allow people to safely slow down their vehicles. Most of the time, drivers rarely have to deal with brake system failure. Usually, you just need to exchange the occasional brake pad or rotor. However, it is a good idea to know the full extent of your braking system to ensure you are aware when something is wrong with your brakes.

Automotive Braking System

Most modern vehicles use hydraulic systems for braking. The hydraulics are activated once the brake pedal is pressed. Once the pedal is pressed, brake fluid is sent through the brake hose. The hose connects to the caliper, inducing pressure on the caliper’s piston. The caliper squeezes the brake pads on the brake disc, producing friction that causes the vehicle to stop. The same thing happens with drum brakes as well. However, it is the brake shoes that cause the friction to the wheels instead of the brake pads. Both of these brakes rely on the conversion of kinetic energy into heat through friction to bring the vehicle to a stop.

Most brake systems focus on the front wheels of the car, due to the energy from the back wheels being pushed toward the front. As a result, most brakes are focused on the front tires instead of the back tires.

How Can You Tell Your Brakes are Failing

Now that you know the fundamentals of how brake systems work, it is time to go over the warning signs that your brakes are failing. When your brakes fail, it can lead to serious safety issues. Fortunately, your car will give clear signs that there are problems. Signs that your brake system is failing include:

  • Squeaking and Grinding Noises
  • Soft and Spongy Brake Pedal
  • Vibration and Pulsation
  • Brake Warning Light
  • Reduced Stopping Power
  • Burning Smell
  • Fluid Leaks
  • Uneven Braking

While you are driving, please keep a lookout for these signs so you can get your braking system inspected! If you ever run into brake trouble, you can always visit Mr. Muffler for a full brake inspection to make sure your car is in perfect condition!

Automobile Brakes – History & Types

This Is the First in a Series of Blog Posts on Automobile Brakes

Since the late 1800s, people have building and improving cars. This includes the different types of brakes for these invaluable machines. Originally, cars only had one type of brake its could use: drum brakes. These became the primary braking system for cars until the introduction of disc brakes in the 1950s. While cars were transitioned to using disc brakes, drum brakes are still used in modern cars. But what is the difference between these two types of brakes?

Drum Brakes

rear brake drums pickup truckSince the invention of the car, drum brakes have been a primary braking system. Drum brakes are made up of brake shoes, drums, and wheel cylinders. Each drum brake has a corresponding brake shoe that presses against the drive depresses the brake. Despite advancements of disc brakes, drum brakes are still used in modern cars. You might be wondering why modern cars and trucks would be using them in this century. While drum brakes are only used on the rear wheels, there are some advantages for manufacturers to use them over disk brakes. First of all, drum brakes have fewer components than disc brakes. This makes it easier and cheaper to manufacture. However, manufacturing cost is just a small part of why drum brakes are still essential.

Rear drum brakes generate less heat than disk brakes, making them last longer. Furthermore, it has more friction contact points,  giving them more braking power. They also require less maintenance compared to disk brakes due to its corrosion resistance. For these reasons, drum brakes still had a prominent place even after the invention of the disc brake.

Disc Brakes

disc brakes

While disc brakes were invented around the same time as drum brakes, they did not find practical use till around 1950s. As cars became more powerful, drum brakes had a hard time keeping up. As a result, disc brakes’ superior performance made it quickly become the replacement for much of the drum brake use. Today, most cars have disc brakes installed. However, what features of these brakes made them become standardized in modern cars?

Disc brakes are comprised of calipers, brake rotors, and brake pads. When the driver applies pressure to the brake pedal, the brake pads push against the brake rotor. This system provides better braking power. Disc brakes have a better response time than drum brakes, leading to a fast stop time. They are less likely to warp due to their shorter cooldown time. Disc brakes also handle wet conditions better than drum brakes. This is because liquid does not build up on the disc, unlike it does on a drum brake.

Different Types of Brakes

Since both drum and disc brakes are used in vintage and modern vehicles, auto shops need to know about both types of brakes. Mr. Muffler mechanics have extensive knowledge of both older and new cars using drum and/or disc brakes. This is why Mr. Muffler is doing an entire series about brakes. This article covering the history and types of brakes will be followed by brake repairs or replacement and cost comparisons! Join us in our next segment coming soon!

Car Overheating in Winter

car-overheat-winter

The worst time for a car to become overheated is in the winter cold in Michigan. In addition, even in the dead of winter, your car can possibly overheat.  Here is a list of four things that you need to do when your car overheats in Wayne, Garden City, or Livonia. 

Why is My Car Overheating in the Winter?

So, what can cause your car to overheat during the winter? Even when the temperatures are near freezing, your engine can build up the heat under the right circumstances. Some of the most common reasons for overheating include:

  • Radiator Cap Needs Replacement
  • The Water Pump is a Bad
  • Coolant Leak
  • Faulty Thermostat
  • Airflow Issues

Car Overheating – 4 things to do in the Winter

Stop The Car

Once you notice that your temperature gauge is abnormally high, then you should pull over when it is safe to do so.  After you pull over, you should turn the car off to give the engine time to cool down.

Release The Heat 

After letting your engine cool down, you want to carefully open your hood. Releasing your  If steam is coming from the radiator cap, be extra careful because it could burn you. Allow your car to cool.

* Do not open the radiator pressure cap if your engine is still hot. *

Check your Coolant Reservoir

If your car is low on coolant, then add coolant to your reservoir until it is to the full line.

Call for Help.

It is better to be safe than sorry. Driving while your car is still overheated can cause more damage.

Car overheating can be an annoying issue even during the winter months. By following the four steps we laid out here it can help deal with this issue. Of course, Mr. Muffler of Westland can provide you with services to help maintain your vehicle all winter long.

If your car is just low on coolant, then it may be safe to drive. To be on the safe side, take your car to Mr. Muffler to get your cooling system pressure-tested or for other full-service auto repair services. Pressure testing your cooling system can help diagnose possible leaks or other problems with your cooling system. Contact Mr. Muffler today to get your overheated vehicle in Wayne County serviced.

Fix Your Car In The Fall!

Winter Car Maintenance

Pre- Winter Car Maintenance

Waiting until the bitter cold before thinking about fixing up those strange sounds? You may want to think again! Fall is the perfect time to get both minor as well as major repairs fixed on your newer or late-model car.

Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold can wreak havoc on small problems with your front end or under your hood. Something that may just be clicking now, may snap when the cold air hits. By repairing front-end damage before it becomes major, not only are you putting your safety first, but you will also save a ton of money. Is your car winter-ready?

Important Winter Car Maintenance

  1. Check Fluids– There are a variety of fluids that run through your vehicle. Transmission fluid, brake fluid, oil, antifreeze, etc.,  are all fluids that are essential to your car’s function.  During the winter, your fluids will thicken, to help loosen your fluids, letting your car run for a short time before leaving is helpful.
  2. Replace old batteries- During the winter dead batteries are a very common problem.  The cold temperatures make it harder for your battery to start your car. Typically batteries should be replaced every 3-4 years to maintain full function.
  3. Tire Quality- If the tires on your car are balding or are not properly aligned, it becomes a safety hazard. Winter tires are the best option as they are designed to handle extreme temperatures and weather conditions.
  4. Exterior Lights – With the days getting shorter and the nights getting longer, having functioning exterior lights is important. You should be checking headlights, taillights, turn signals, backup lights, and emergency flashers to make sure you can drive safely at night.
  5. Heater and Defrosters – During the winter, you want your car to warm up as soon as possible. After all, frost loves to coat over the windows and prevent clear visibility. Before the cold weather hits, you should make sure your car’s heater is functional and ready to go!

Another important thing you should consider is preparing an emergency kit for your car! A winter emergency kit can make sure you are prepared for the worst-case scenario!

Fix Your Car Before Winter Starts!

Regardless of what type of work you need to be done on your car or truck, Mr. Muffler can help. We recommend scheduling an appointment to get a bumper-to-bumper inspection on your vehicle. The best time to make an appointment is now! Avoid the crazy busy times that winter brings into the shop. Our auto mechanics can provide you with an estimate and discuss with you what needs to be repaired on your car or truck.

What to Look For in a Battery Charger

what to look for in a battery charger

What to look for in a battery charger. It is an important question to ask. During the winter months, your car battery can die faster. As a result, you can experience the frustration of a dead battery in the morning. While replacing your battery is ideal, a car battery charger can start up a depleted battery. However, there are certain qualities your battery charger needs to be effective.

What is a Battery Charger?

About everyone has an experience with a dead battery. Sometimes you are starting up your car in the morning and refuse to run. Other times, your battery can fail. As a result, you could be stuck in an unknown and dangerous location. You could spend hours waiting for roadside assistance. In addition, calling family and friends to help jumpstart your car with jumper cables could be impossible.

The solution to this was creating a compact battery charger that would be able to spark the battery back to life. A battery charger can kept in your car, allowing easy access to the charger if your battery were to die. It is the simplest and easiest solution when it comes to restarting your dead battery. However, there are important features that you need to consider for your charger.

What to Look for in a Battery Charger?

A battery charger is extremely useful for car owners. However, you can’t just pick up any battery charger. Because there are variations between a car model’s battery, some batteries will not be able to charge it. Furthermore, the charger’s features can also vary. So, here are a few things you should be looking for.

The most important part of a car battery charger is the voltage and amperage. If you do not have the right voltage or enough amperage, that battery will not charge at all. So you need to know what type of amperage and voltage your battery needs to charge. As a result, it will help you rule out chargers that don’t make the cut.

After ruling out these chargers, you should consider the features of the tool. This can include how compact the battery is, the effectiveness of the clamps, how long the charger can last, and other vital, quality of life features. Those features are up to the car owner’s discussion. Yet, it is nonetheless important. After all, the car owner is the one using it.

Get a New Battery with Mr. Muffler

Even with the best battery charger, it won’t prevent your battery from dying. Your car will show signs that you will need to replace your current battery. Regardless if your battery is dead or faulty, you can trust the professionals at Mr. Muffler.

Mr. Muffler has decades of experience in dealing with car batteries and other car services. You will leave Mr. Muffler with satisfaction and a working battery, guaranteed! Have car battery troubles? Come down to Mr. Muffler and take advantage of our great deals!