Brake Specialists Plus - Austin, TX

What Happens When You Neglect Routine Oil Changes?

The recommended intervals for oil changes have increased a significant amount over the last decade. Yet even so, some drivers still refuse to have their oil changed at the manufacturer-recommended intervals. To learn why oil changes should be a part of your regular auto maintenance routine and budget, here is a look at what can happen to your vehicle if you neglect to have the service done:

• Reduced Fuel Economy – When you extend or ignore the manufacturer-recommended oil change intervals, the engine oil will gradually become saturated with dirt and debris. Unfortunately, dirty oil is thick and abrasive and causes greater resistance among the moving parts of the engine. This additional strain causes your vehicle to use more gas than normal.

• Negatively Affected Performance – In addition to affecting your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, dirty oil also impacts your vehicle’s overall performance. Without the proper lubrication and heat protection, engine parts will not work as they should. When this happens, you’ll notice a significant drop in acceleration, gear shifting, start-up, and more.

• Engine Trouble – As the oil gets dirtier and dirtier, it will eventually stop lubricating the engine altogether. At this point, catastrophic engine failure is almost certain. When you compare the high cost of total engine overhaul and replacement with the inexpensive price of routine oil changes, it’s clear why neglecting manufacturer-recommended auto maintenance is one of the costliest decisions that you can make as a car owner.

Brake Specialists Plus is your one-stop location for all of your auto maintenance and repair needs. With 12 locations throughout the Austin area, we provide all of the auto maintenance services you need, including oil changes, tune-ups, and wheel alignment. To schedule a service appointment, contact us online or dial (512) 795-4063.

Common Reasons for Poor Car Performance

You know your car better than anyone else, so you are likely to notice when it’s not performing as it should be. Whether you’re experiencing performance issues at start-up or on the road, Brake Specialists Plus can provide the auto maintenance and repair services you need to get your vehicle back in tiptop shape. To help you identify what might be wrong with your vehicle, here is a closer look at a few of the common reasons why your car’s performance might be suffering:

• Old Air Filter – The air filter serves to clean the air passing through the engine area and into the vehicle. By removing small particles of dirt and debris from the air, the air filter helps keep your engine clean. Over time, however, debris builds up in the air filter and reduces the amount of air that passes through the engine, which can affect acceleration.

• Dirty Oil – Despite the importance of oil changes, many drivers put off getting an oil change for as long as possible. However, the longer you wait to get your oil changed, the dirtier it will become. Over time, additives and debris will cause the oil to become thick and abrasive, which can affect the performance and efficiency of your engine. 

• Vacuum Leak – If your vehicle is idling too fast or too rough, or if you notice hesitation when accelerating, it could mean that there is a vacuum leak in the engine. A vacuum leak upsets the sensitive and finely calculated air-to-fuel ratio inside the engine. As a result, you will most likely experience a decrease in your vehicle’s acceleration abilities.

From oil changes and car tune-ups to complete engine replacement, Brake Specialists Plus offers the auto maintenance and repair services your vehicle needs to run its best. Our ASE Certified Technicians use the latest diagnostic equipment and the best-quality parts and fluids to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape. To schedule a service appointment, contact us online or dial (512) 795-4063. 

The Windshield Wiper: An Important Safety Feature

The windshield wiper is an important safety component in your car. Read on to explore how the windshield wiper was invented.

Mary Anderson, born in Alabama in 1866, was responsible for inventing the first windshield wiper that actually worked. It all started when she was on a trip in New York City during a winter snowstorm. Mary noticed that drivers were stopping, getting out of their cars, and wiping the snow off of their windshields by hand. She sketched a design for a hand-operated windshield wiper that, when it became mass-produced, made driving more convenient and safer for everyone.

It’s important to keep a close eye on the quality of your windshield wipers to make sure that they are working efficiently and keeping you safe. For quality, affordable wiper replacements come to Brake Specialists Plus in Austin. Call us at (512) 795-4066 for more information.

Tips for Preparing Your Car for a Summer Road Trip

As any car expert will tell you, it’s best to take your car for a tune-up when the seasons change. This ensures that your car will be prepared for the change in weather and that it receives all of the auto maintenance necessary to keep it performing well. Here are the most important things to take care of before your first summer road trip:

Inspect Your Tires
This is one of the most important things to take care of before you head out on the open road. First, check the tread of your tires. Going on your road trip with worn-out tires will compromise your car’s handling and increase the likelihood of a dangerous blowout. If your tread is okay, the next thing you’ll have to do is check the tire pressure. Improperly inflated tires are expensive—they can reduce your car’s gas mileage and decrease the overall life of your tires.

Check Fluid Levels
To greatly reduce the likelihood that your car will need roadside assistance, check the level of your engine’s antifreeze. If it’s low or if there is a leak in the overflow tank, your engine could easily overheat.

Examine Your Battery
If it takes longer for you to start your car than it used to, your battery could be losing life. If this is the case, be sure replace your battery before you go on your next road trip, especially if it is out of warranty.

Assess Your Brakes
If your brakes are causing your steering wheel to shake or are making unusual noises, you probably need brake maintenance. Take care of the problem sooner rather than later to save yourself a great deal of money.

At Brake Specialists Plus, we are committed to providing you with reasonably priced maintenance and superior quality repairs. Call us at (512) 795-4066 to get your questions answered or to schedule a service appointment. 

How Automotive Air Conditioning Works

There are many components that contribute to the functioning of your vehicle’s air conditioning system. To get a firm understanding of how a car’s air conditioner works and how you can maintain or replace it, read the following:

Compressor
Just like your home HVAC system, your car’s air conditioner has a compressor. The one in your car compresses a refrigerant gas, such as Freon, and is driven by the engine. Because the process of gas compression generates a lot of heat, the hot gas is sent from the compressor to the condenser in order to lower its temperature.

Condenser
This component of your car’s air conditioner separates the heat from the Freon gas. The Freon is then condensed into a cool liquid and sent to the receiver in order to ensure that only cool liquid moves on to the next process.

Thermostatic Expansion Valve
Thanks to this component, your car’s air conditioner is able to adjust the amount of liquid that enters the evaporator of your air conditioner. This affects the level of cool air that you receive in the cabin.

Evaporator
Similar to the condenser, this component takes Freon from the expansion valve and passes it through your car’s cabin in tubes. As this happens, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air that’s in your car’s cabin. To aid the evaporator, your car’s air conditioner is equipped with a fan that blows the cooler air throughout the cabin.

The air conditioner in your car is constantly working to both remove hot air and distribute cool air inside the cabin. When your air conditioner is on, the compressor constantly draws in air from the cabin in order to start another refrigeration cycle.

If one of the above components of your car’s air conditioner begins to wear out, you might experience insufficient cooling or even no cool air at all. For quality automotive air conditioning maintenance, come to Brake Specialists Plus in Austin. Call us at (512) 795-4066 for more information.