When to Change Your Brake Pads-Billings MT

Faulty or worn-out brakes can be a serious safety issue that should be dealt with as soon as possible. We recommended that you do not try to drive on brakes that you fear aren’t working as well as they should be. Here are some things to remember when it comes to your vehicle’s brakes.

For most European cars there is a brake wear indicator on the brake pad that lights a warning in the instrument cluster.

If your brakes have started squealing when you touch them, then it probably time to get them looked at. Squealing is usually the first, and sometimes the only, warning that your brakes may need to be replaced. Squealy brakes can come from the wear indicator on your disc brake pads. The wear indicator is a small piece of metal that is attached to the brake pads. The squeal you are hearing is the wear indicator rubbing against the brake rotor once the pad has been worn down and is an indicator that it is time to replace your brakes.

Another indicator may be if your steering wheel starts shaking. If you happen to notice movement in your steering wheel when you put your foot on the brakes, there may be a problem with your brake rotors.

Generally, vehicles will require a first brake service between 30,000 and 50,000 miles. After the first service, it is a good idea to have your brakes inspected by a Certified Service Technician at 15,000-mile increments. The Certified Service Technician will check your brake lines for cracks, rust or leaks, as well as the brake pads/shoes for unusual wear and the rotor/drums for wear or warping.

Stress Management Works for Holidays and Automobiles

Holidays bring their own kind of stress to most of us, so don’t let you car add to that stress. Failing to plan for maintenance for your vehicle can turn small problems into bigger ones, putting a serious dent in your automotive budget. The price of procrastinating on vehicle maintenance can range from a heater that runs cold to a battery that won't start your car.

Take care of your car's seasonal services immediately and make plans to get ahead of the game next year. An early visit to Metric Wrench Billings provides the opportunity to budget for unanticipated repairs.

Here is a few things you may want to have checked:

Engine performance

If your engine isn’t properly maintained it maybe difficult to start in cold weather, if even at all. It may run rough and lose power. Have fuel, ignition and emission control systems checked, necessary components replaced and adjustments made.

Battery and electrical system

How old is your battery? If it's three or more years old, it should be tested and replaced if necessary.  Have your battery terminals cleaned and tightened, because loose or corroded connections can cause symptoms of a weak or dead battery.

Visibility

Replace old wiper blades and be sure your washers are working. Carry spare washer solvent in your vehicle.

Cooling system

A vehicle's antifreeze should be changed annually, or as recommended in the owner's manual. Have the system pressure tested for leaks and check hoses and drive belt(s) for tension and condition.

Tires

Inspect, balance, check inflation and rotate tires. Check inflation on the spare and make sure the jack is in its place.

Lights

Check all lights and replace burned out bulbs

Exhaust System

Have the vehicle put on a lift for an inspection of the exhaust system. Leaking exhaust fumes can be deadly.

If you have questions or concerns about your vehicle, please call Metric Wrench Billings today and talk to a Certified Service Technician.

Stay Warm in Your Car This Winter

Be prepared when traveling this winter. If you have to wrap yourself in extra clothing and blankets to stay just a little bit warm in your car, then you need to have your heater checked. It is better to learn what to look for when it comes to pending car-heater trouble.

• Is there a chirping or screeching sound when you turn on your car heater? This noise could be a

worn fan-motor bearing. Motor happen quite rapidly after the noise starts.

• Does your dashboard heater-control lever seem unusually stiff? This stiffness may be a sign of a sticky or

heater-control valve that isn’t working.

• Do you notice moisture accumulating inside your car, even with the defroster is running? If so, that could be a sign that your car’s heater

core—a miniature radiator—might be leaking.

• Is your heating system just not working like it used too? Heater and defroster duct hoses take fresh air into the

system and warmed air to locations beyond the heater core. If these duct hoses leak, your heater

may not efficiently warm your car or defrost your windows.

• Is your heater blowing only cold air? A leaking heater hose (which carries your system’s antifreeze)

could be the culprit, and this issue could leave you in the cold, stranded.

An efficiently functioning car heater will keep you comfortable and your windows clear, both keys to safe driving.

So, watch for pending car heating problems, and get them taken care of before they leave you stranded in the cold this winter.

Back To School Brake Safety Check

It is hard to believe that Labor Day has passed and summer is over and the kids are back in school. So now is the time to make sure your vehicle is safe. When it comes to the safety of your family and your vehicle, the brakes should be at the top of your vehicle safety checklist.

"A properly operating brake system helps ensure safe vehicle operation and control under a variety of conditions," says Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "It is important for motorists to be alert and recognize the signs and symptoms that their brake system may need maintenance or repair. Letting the brakes get to the 'metal-to-metal' point can be potentially dangerous and lead to a more costly repair bill."

If your car is pulling to the left or right, or if you hear odd noises when you apply the brakes, you should inspect your brakes. Other warning signs include an illuminated brake warning light, brake grabbing, low pedal feel, vibration, hard pedal feel and squealing.

If you are worried about your brakes, or if you simply just want to get them checked, bring your car into Metric Wrench Billings. Our certified technicians will perform a complete inspection of your brake system and determine what's needed to restore your brakes to a safe operating condition.

Gonzo's Toolbox

Hi Everyone we wanted to share a blog piece written by Scott “Gonzo” Weaver. He really does have some very good tips and advice. To read more articles from Gonzo’s Tool Box-Click Here!

Scott “Gonzo” Weaver is the owner of Superior Auto Electric in Tulsa, Okla. and has owned the shop for 27 years. He was given his trademark nickname “Gonzo” while serving in the USMC. He is the author of the book “Hey Look! I Found the Loose Nut”

Gonzo's ToolBox: A Jack of All Trades? In This Business, it Pays to Be a Master of One

It pays to be a jack-of-all-trades when you’re a homeowner, and it doesn’t hurt to have a little knowledge about the family transportation either. I’m pretty handy around the house, so, in a way, I guess I’m sort of a jack of all trades too, but I definitely wouldn’t call myself an expert. I know my limitations, and I know when it’s time to call in the pros.

When I’m on the other side of the wrench, I’m the professional, and I see a lot of those home-brewed repairs come into the shop every day. But it’s not just the DIYers who can be a problem. The same thing holds true when it comes to the sub-standard repair shops and their so-called “mechanics.” I’m referencing those who don’t keep up with the technology, but who are working on today’s cars without any scanners, scopes or proper information. Drive by and you’ll see the same cars in the same spots in front of their shops for weeks at a time. Of course, I don’t really know the circumstances of why so many cars are left in the lot, but, to me, that frontage real estate is too valuable to be used as a parking lot for cars that aren’t making me a living. Ask the locals in the area, and you’ll find most of them won’t take their cars there.

I call these shops the true “jacks of no trades.” They’re your typical repair shop that’s pretty handy at banging something apart and figuring out how it works, without any training or reading a tech manual. I’ll bet if you took them your toaster and your Accord, chances are they’ll eventually have them both repaired…if you can wait that long. For the most part, these guys can get by for quite some time, but, sooner or later, they’ll have to give up on the car and find somebody who knows something about that particular type of problem.

When the phone rings and it’s a shop I’ve never heard of with a technical question for me, it doesn’t take me long to determine what kind of repair shop they really are. Listening to how they explain the problem or how they tested for the problem gives me enough clues about their abilities.

“I’ve got one I’m sending your way. I think it needs a new starter, but it’s one of those “import” engines, and I don’t have the tools to get to the starter,” one of those bright tool jockeys tells me.

In some ways, I guess there has to be these types of shops out there. Where else would that type of car owner go — the one who is looking only for cheap parts, cheap labor and cheap results? (The car in question did make it to my shop. The motor was locked up, so it needed more than a starter.)

Trusting today’s modern cars to a shop like this is just asking for trouble. With the amount of advanced electronics and tight engine tolerances, even changing the oil can lead to major problems, not to mention swapping parts without prior knowledge of what it may involve as far as reprogramming or security issues.

I find it hard to comprehend how the general public believes all technicians are created equal. In some quirky way, I really believe they think that. It’s the only way I can make any sense as to why repairs for the trusted family vehicle are left to the less experienced tech/repair shop, just to save a buck or two.

The other day a lady called the shop with exactly this type of situation. Seems her vehicle won’t shut off once it’s started.

One shop put in a new computer, one shop tried a new starter, and another put in a new battery. But, the engine still wouldn’t shut off. The last guy tells her he can’t find the problem, and shows her a fuse she can pull that would shut off the engine. She goes on to tell me, “I had my car at several shops, and they tried everything they can think of, but it still hasn’t fixed my car. I’m out of money, so I need to know what you’ll charge me to fix it, before I bring it in.”

“How about we run some tests on it first to find the cause of the problem?” I asked her.

No dice...there was no money in her budget for testing. Too many people still think you fix cars by the amount of dollars they have to spend, and that any problem can be estimated over the phone. It’s all that matters to them and they see no reason to pay for your diagnostic time.

Then you have the so-called “family jack-of-all-trades.” He’s the most dangerous one of them all. He’ll take six months or more to change a head gasket or something. Then, when the owner does get his/her car back, it still isn’t right. Now, the owner doesn’t want to upset the family, so he/she usually won’t say anything, and will just bring it in and have me diagnose it. When I finally get a chance to examine it, I find he failed to replace the original head bolts with the ones that came in the gasket set.

“I didn't change them because the original ones looked good enough to reuse,” the family mechanic will tell me.

Once I straighten out (teach) the so-called “family jack-of-all-trades” on what stretch bolts are all about, the car ends up going back with the same guy for another six months just because “he’s family...and he’ll take care of it.”

After years of seeing the same thing happen over and over again, I really think there should be a way to separate the “good jacks” from the “bad jacks.” I know a lot of great techs out there, but I know a lot more who I wouldn’t let near my screwdriver drawer.

Certification is a step in the right direction. It’s a way to give the customer, techs and other businesses an idea of what kind of person is behind the wrench.

Some guys don’t want to have the intrusion or some badge on their arm, just to prove they ­understand the complexities of their job. Let me set the record straight. Certification tests are not for the one in a million guy who knows “everything,” nor are the tests set up for the beginner to pass. These tests are designed for the knowledgeable tech with reasonable experience in the field. They’re not for the socket jockey who fixes everything by smacking it with a 3-lb. sledge.

I look at it this way: this arm patch I have that says

Automotive Master Technician isn’t for me. It’s for that lady with the locked up engine; it’s for that shade-tree guy who fixes all the relative’s cars and the shop down the street that needed some help.

That blue seal outside my door doesn’t change my abilities at all, but it does let the customer know they are dealing with a professional.

Some techs may say that certification isn’t the answer; some will say it’s not necessary. That’s an opinion this jack-of-all-trades can answer with…“Well, at least I can prove I’m the master of one.”

Thanks Gonzo for such an insight full article! And for all of you local car enthusiasts, don’t forget to stop by the All-Euro car show, on Aug 25 at Rocky Mountain college on the Green 10:00 to 3:00.

CertifiedService Technicians at Metric WrenchBillings are qualified to meet your service requirements. Build a long-term relationship with your certified servicetechnician to ensure maintenance is done on a timely basis.

Breathe Easier This Summer by Maintaining Your Automotive Filters

Did you know that sustaining regular maintenance of your vehicle’s filtration systems can not only help you spend less on gas, but also save you money by avoiding repair costs as well as help you to breathe easier this summer.

Three of these filtration systems remove contaminants from the air and gasoline that go into your engine and the oil that lubricates it and the fourth controls the air inside your vehicle.

The purpose of filtration is contaminant control. Modern engines with their closer tolerances, increased working speeds and higher operating temperatures need more protection than engines of the past.

Filtering intake air is critical as foreign particles can damage components, replacing a clogged air filter may improve fuel economy by 10%. Filter change intervals are specified in your owner’s manual.

Fuel filters became increasingly important when it comes to fuel injection as the filters keep debris, rust flakes, dirt etc. from affecting the ultra-close-tolerance involved. Fuel filters should be replaced at the intervals specified in your owner’s manual and because in some vehicles these filters operate at high fuel pressures, replacement is best left to the Certified Care Technicians at Metric Wrench.

Oil filters play a vital role by keeping carbon, metal etc., from circulating in your engines lubricating oil and scoring bearings and other surfaces. Like all filters they have a limited lifespan. The majority of vehicle manufacturers recommend oil and filter changes at two times, one for “normal” driving conditions and the other for “severe.” A typical vehicle might require changes under ideal conditions at 7500 miles and severe at 3000 miles, but be sure to follow the guidelines in your vehicles owner manual.

Sever conditions would include stop-and-go traffic, short trips, dusty, lengthy idling and below 10 degree temperatures.

Another element has been added recently with the advent of oil life monitoring systems that can determine when you need to change the oil and filter. At Metric Wrench Billings we recommend changing both based on what the manufacturers recommend

Air filters inside your vehicle began to appear in the mid-1980s and many vehicles now have these systems that keep pollen, spores, dust, soot as well as some toxic gases and odors from entering the cabin. They must be changed at the specified intervals or the flow of fresh air into the car will be reduced, which could have an affect on passengers, as well as making defogging the windshield a problem.

Certified Care Technicians at Metric Wrench are qualified to check and change your vehicles filters!

Myth About Your Vehicle’s Warranty

A big myth about vehicle’s warranty that most people believe is that in order to maintain my warranty I can only have my car serviced at a dealership. Service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in effect. Maintenance may be done by any qualified service facility or person who is skilled in automotive service like the certified service technicians at Metric Wrench Billings. Keep all receipts as proof of completion, and have the certified service technician fill out the Maintenance Record.

The Maintenance Schedule in your vehicle owner’s manual specifies how often you should have your car serviced and what areas need attention. It is essential that you have your car serviced as scheduled to retain its high level of dependability and safety, to protect the environment, and to enhance and maintain your vehicle’s value.

CertifiedService Technicians at Metric WrenchBillings are qualified to meet your service requirements. Build a long-term relationship with your certified servicetechnician to ensure maintenance is done on a timely basis.

Time To Improve Your Vehicle’s Health

The break down of your car’s performance and mileage can go undetected at times, causing costly repairs. With the economy the way it is, there has never been a better time to check your car's health. Here are a few vehicle checks that you shouldn’t overlook…

•                Important enginemaintenance - Check the service schedule for your car. If you’re run the kids all over town, work, errands, etc. it’s probably time for the “hazardous duty” schedule.

•                Belts and Hoses - Belts and hoses need to be replaced at the appropriate service times or when they become cracked or worn. These signs are usually visible, so check them yourself or have a certified technician at Metric Wrench do it for you.

•                Thermostat – Vehicle’s today with low-emissions engines tend to be more sensitive to changes when it comes to operating temperature. Have your car's thermostat checked, be sure that it still opens and closes at the right temperature.

•                Replace air and fuelfilters - they clean out impurities from the fuel or air before they get into the engine. A clogged, neglected fuel filter can lead to expensive repairs such as premature fuel-pump failure or clogged fuel injectors. Replacing an air filter is simple and will improve your fuel economy and performance.

To avoid costly repairs, have your vehicle inspected by a certified technician at Metric Wrench today!

Potholes Can Cause Severe Damage to Vehicles

Even though we didn’t get much snow here in Billings this year, we are still experiencing an abundance of potholes and uneven pavement that can cause significant damage to your vehicle, especially in the following areas:

• Strut and Shock Absorbers: Uneven road condition caused by potholes, can crack, bend or damage your vehicle suspension. If you experience excessive vibration or change in vehicle handing, this can be due to your vehicle suspension system.

• Wheel Alignment: Wheel alignment is making sure the wheels are running parallel to one another, and that the tires meet the road at the proper angle. It is done by adjusting the angles between the suspension and steering parts, the wheels, and the vehicle frame. Pot holes can cause the tire angles to get knocked out of line. When this happens, it can cause the vehicle to handle badly or the tires to wear unevenly.

• Wheel Balancing: A hard pothole impact can dislodge wheel weights on the tires. An out of balance tire can affect ride quality as well as shorten the life of tires, bearings, shocks and other suspension components. If your vehicle has a vibration that is dependent on speed, and usually becomes noticeable around 40-45 mph and increases as your speed increases, it's probably balance related.

• Tires: Tires provide the best protection between a car and a pothole. Check the tires for uneven wear and or damage. We also strongly recommend to maintain tire pressure as stated in the owner’s manual to ensure optimized cushion between your car and the road.

To avoid costly repairs, if you experience any of the above symptoms have your vehicle inspected at Metric Wrench Billings today!

EPA Estimated Fuel Mileage vs. Actual Mileage

EPA Estimated Fuel Mileage vs. Actual Mileage what is the real story or actual numbers that we all should be looking at? For most of us, we tend to think that the large black numbers on a car's window sticker, which list the EPA estimated fuel economy rating, are what they will actually get while driving that car.

But before you believe this, you should in essence, “Read the fine print!” What the fine print really means is that the actual mileage may vary depending on a whole lot of things. And the truth is, that the gas mileage you get could be less, in fact, a lot less.

How do they come up with these gas mileage estimates? Well, the government puts a great deal of time and care into testing for fuel economy. And these estimates provide important information when it comes to comparing two vehicles. What critics say is that, as part of the test program, a number of assumptions were made about driving habits. Those assumptions are now outdated; and that is why we have inconsistencies when comes to EPA estimated fuel mileage vs. actual mileage.

New vehicles are tested by the manufacturer according to guidelines outlined by the EPA. The EPA in turn reviews the results and confirms 10 percent of the test results with additional testing in the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL), in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The cars are tested by putting the drive wheels on a "dynamometer," a machine that allows it to simulate driving conditions while remaining stationary. The car is tested according to two different "schedules" to produce the city and highway ratings posted on a car's window sticker.

The two schedules are meant to simulate different styles of driving that would be encountered in the two types of driving:

City: The test is started with the car's engine cold. The car then is operated in such a way as to replicate 11 miles of stop-and-go rush-hour traffic. Periods of idling are included in the test; average speed is 20 mph and top speed is 56 mph.

Highway: This test represents 10 miles of a mixture of rural and interstate highway driving. The engine is warmed up before the test begins and the average test speed of about 48 mph is maintained. The top speed reached is 60 mph. No intermediate stops or idling are included in the test.

The EPA fully admits that test results MAY differ from real-world fuel economy ratings. It attributes the difference to the fact that the test cars are in optimal mechanical condition, along with a few other attributes and thus perform better. But by looking at the EPA's testing procedure, it is clear that real world drivers are not duplicated. On most highways, speeds of well over 60 mph are common resulting in much lower fuel economy ratings. Furthermore, although the EPA tried to duplicate city driving by introducing periods of idling, today's congested roads produce far more prolonged stops.

So be sure to read the fine print when it comes EPA Estimated Fuel Mileage vs. Actual Mileage.

How To Properly Connect Jumper Cables

In the world of automotive emergencies, as a car owner, there are a few things that you should know how to do just to be safe. The top two that I can think of are know how to change a tire and know how to connect jumper cables so that you are prepared if an emergency should occur!

When it gets cold out, we tend to need to boost a battery more often. Jumper cables or cables on a portable battery booster must be connected correctly so that you are able to avoid sparks, which can cause an explosion of the hydrogen gas emitting from a battery. Besides an explosion which is pretty serious in and of itself; connecting your jumper cables incorrectly can damage critical, and expensive, electronic components – including accessories, such as cell phones connected to your vehicle’s power outlet.

So here is an easy “How To Guide:”

1. Connect the positive (+) clamp to the positive terminal of the healthy battery

2. The other positive clamp to the corresponding terminal of the dead battery.

3. Then, the negative (-), or ground, terminal on the good battery.

4. And lastly, the negative clamp to the engine block, frame or other grounded metal as far as possible from the battery. Make sure that you avoid sparks near the explosive hydrogen gas that emits from the battery. Do not connect it to the ground terminal (negative).

More and more people are using portable battery boosters; the process is pretty much the same.

1. Connect the positive clamp of the booster cable to the positive clamp of the dead battery.

2. Next connect the negative cable to the engine block or other grounded metal away from the battery.

Do NOT have your car running that is being jumped from to avoid a voltage surge that could damage electronics. If it is necessary, it may be OK to start the car after the cables are hooked up. If the car being jumped doesn't start give up and call a tow truck. It is possible to inflict way more damage than the cost of the tow.

If your battery is three-years old or older and you haven't had it checked, it's a good preventive measure to get it checked out! A battery's power is reduced as the temperature drops. And that's when the engine's starting demands are greatest.

Take good care of your car so that it can take care of you. If you have problems with your vehicle this winter, visit Metric Wrench Billings today to have a certified technician check it out for you. Visit Metric Wrench Billings today for all of your vehicle solutions today!

Avoiding Damage From Road Salt on Your Vehicle

Road salt is great when it comes to saving most of us from icy accidents, however it can be harsh on a vehicle’s paintwork and exterior trim.

Road salt can accelerate the corrosion of unprotected paintwork, not to mention exposed plastic and rubber surfaces. Be sure to completely wash your vehicle once it’s been exposed to road salt and give it a quality polish or waxing to be sure that your vehicle has a long-lasting protection from the elements.

During the winter months, spray from the roads can easily build up on headlights and windows. Be sure to clean your vehicle’s exterior glass as well, to help maintain good visibility.

Here are some other suggestions as well:

· Break up or remove the mud and salt that can collect under wheel arches.
· Protect your car by using a premium-grade polish or wax.
· Take a few minutes from time to time to clean your car during the winter months to prevent a build-up of dirt.
· Carry a good de-icer to clear ice from windscreen, mirrors, wipers and locks.
· Check your car’s washer fluid to make sure that the solution won’t freeze as temperatures drop.
· Never use liquid soap or household detergents to wash your car, this has the possibility of stripping the protective coatings from your vehicle.
· Never use boiling water to melt ice on your windshield, because it can crack the glass.
· Never drive until your front and rear windows and side windows are clear of ice – it is illegal to drive with poor visibility.

Take good care of your car so that it can take care of you. If you have problems with your vehicle this winter, visit Metric Wrench Billings today to have a certified technician check it out for you. Visit Metric Wrench Billings today for all of your vehicle solutions today!