Timing Belts
Importance of Timely Timing Belt Replacement
Many cars on the road today have a rubber belt that keeps the engine "synchronized." It's called the timing belt, because it keeps the engine internals in proper position, or timing. It fulfills the job of the timing chain and gears that some engines use. What it does is couples the engine crankshaft to the engine cam shaft. The crankshaft makes the pistons go up and down and the camshaft opens and closes the valves to let in fuel and let out exhaust. The timing belt keeps the pistons coming up and the valves opening and closing all at the right time.
This becomes very important when your vehicle has what is called an "interference" engine. What that means is there isn't enough room for the piston to be up and the valves to be open without catastrophic consequences. With today's high output engines, most engines are interference motors. It seems each manufacturer picks a different mileage interval for servicing the timing belt, and if you can't find it in the owner's manual just ask us. We will look it up for you.
Brake Rotors
Why do I need new brake rotors?
Often, when we check over a car for brake needs, we recommend new brake rotors. Some of the things that contribute to the demise of brake rotors are avoidable, some are not. We often see rotors that are burned blue. That can be from hard use but is most likely from a sticking brake caliper. Rotors are usually cast iron or steel. The quality of the steel is one of the variables that contribute to either a quality or a cheap rotor. There are foundries all over the world that make rotors. The price you pay for the replacement is proportional to the quality. The more it costs, the better it is and the less likely it is to warp, causing brake shake.
Another factor is that manufacturers are continually downsizing brakes and rotors to save weight. Many cars today are under-braked, causing premature wear and tear on the system. This makes a quality rotor all that more important. Many rotors are not designed to be thick enough to stand more than one turning. Many, in fact, can take turning once but are still too thin to last through a second set of pads. Brake pad technology changes so fast that sometimes we will see a situation where the rotor is severally worn down by the pads. But they didn't squeak! Because of the downsizing and our driving habits, rotors just have one of the toughest jobs in the brake system, but all the components are abused by normal use.
Back in the day, it was pretty well accepted that if you didn't run the brakes to where they were metal on metal, the rotors could be re-used. For the reasons above and more, that is just no longer the rule. What you can do to lengthen the life of your brakes is to give more following distance when you are in traffic. I know there is always some idiot that will cut into that space and you'll have to back off some more. But when the whole line is crashing into each other, you'll be able to stop. I have been the first one to escape that kind of chain reaction several times in my life, just by not following too close. Another trick is to back off the throttle earlier when you approach a situation where you will have to stop. By practicing, you can develop the right technique to lift early enough to save fuel and brakes without angering your fellow drivers. Don't wait until the last possible moment to brake for a light. It just overheats the brakes and sloshes your cup of coffee. Sure, it will take some patience to work these techniques into your regimen, but they are worth it in added safety, longer brake life and some fuel savings. Maybe your blood pressure will drop, too.
