What Can Go Wrong With Your Vehicle’s Braking System?

April 30th, 2009 by admin

What Can Go Wrong With Your Vehicle’s Braking System?

When problems occur within your car’s braking system, they can quickly become a safety issue. Even if you’re able to slow and stop your vehicle, small, barely-noticeable problems are usually warning signs that something serious is wrong, or soon will be.

There are several ways in which the parts that make up your car’s braking assembly can malfunction. The challenge is knowing how to identify the issue. In this article, I’ll provide an overview of common glitches that can impact your vehicle’s brakes. I’ll explain how they manifest so you’ll be able to effectively communicate the trouble to your mechanic.

Low Fluid Levels

Brake fluid is necessary for the entire system to work properly. It circulates from the master cylinder to your tires through a number of hoses and tubes. If the fluid is low, you might notice the pedal feeling soft or staying too low to the floor.

Occasionally, a leak can develop in the hoses. When that happens, you need to have your mechanic identify the leak and replace the part. You should do this as soon as possible; if fluid levels drop too low, you’ll have trouble stopping your car.

Squealing

A few things can cause your brakes to squeal. Some can be easily fixed while others are more problematic. For example, the squeal can be caused by a vibration between your caliper and pads. If that’s the case, the rotors may need to be resurfaced. On the other hand, the noise may be caused by simple dirt and dust build-up in the tires. A quick run through a car wash might resolve the issue.

Scraping

If you’re hearing scraping or grinding, you need new brakes. The noise is caused by metal parts rubbing against each other. When you take your vehicle to a mechanic, let him know about the noise you’re hearing. He won’t be able to simply put new disc pads on to fix the problem. Chances are, he’ll need to resurface the rotors and add new linings. This is not an issue that can be resolved from a “brake special.”

Pulsing Sensation

When you press down on the pedal and notice a pulse, that usually means the rotor has somehow become warped. This can happen for a few reasons, including your brakes overheating, the lug nuts being too tight, or rust having accumulated on the rotor. If you feel pulsing in the pedal, your mechanic will likely suggest resurfacing or replacing the rotor.

The important thing is that you fix brake problems quickly. Remember, glitches that seem minor (for example, low fluid levels) can easily lead to major issues later. If you notice any of the problems above, have your mechanic run a quick test on your braking system based on the warning signs I’ve described. Your safety, and that of your passengers, may be at stake.

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Seat Belts: A Long History Of Driver Safety

April 21st, 2009 by admin

Seat Belts: A Long History Of Driver Safety

When you climb into your vehicle, put the key into the ignition, and crank the engine, you probably click your seat belt into place without a second thought. Most of us do it by habit. We don’t consider – or even realize – the long history of development and testing that went into the device.

We know the harnesses save lives (over 10,000 each year by some estimates). And we learned the habit because wearing them is required by law. But, few motorists know how seat belts have played a major role in driver safety for decades.

Below, we’ll take a tour through their history beginning with their introduction by the Ford Motor Company. We’ll also explore some of the challenges the safety harness had to overcome along the way.

Developing An Historical Context

Ford Motor Company was the first U.S. car manufacturer to introduce them. In the mid-1950s, they offered them to new buyers as an option (federal legislation mandating their use did not exist at the time). The harnesses were available for front and rear passengers and were worn across the lap.

Three year later, Volvo debuted a 3-point harness. One strap traversed the lap while another crossed over one shoulder, offering more protection for drivers and passengers. Over the following decade, Saab and Volkswagen outfitted their own vehicles with 3-point harnesses. Automakers in the U.S., sensing impending federal legislation, also began equipping their models with 3-point seat belts. Sure enough, in 1972, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandated their use.

Today, nearly four decades later, the basic construction of the safety device remains the same. However, automakers are already testing the next evolutionary stage: the 4-point harness commonly worn by NASCAR drivers.

The Issue Of Comfort

One of the challenges that automakers have confronted over the last few decades is balancing the safety of a car’s occupants with their comfort. Most vehicles today are equipped with seat belts that are 2 inches in width. That width allows for a safe distribution of collision impact across a person’s body. However, a width of 3 inches would offer more protection and wider distribution of crash force.

The obstacle which prevents automakers from introducing 3-inch safety harnesses is comfort. In essence, wider seat belts would provide more protection, but they would be less comfortable to wear. Improved technology may offer a viable workaround.

Improved Technology Means Better Protection

Car manufacturers are now experimenting with harnesses that inflate in the event of a traffic collision. The device’s inflation would presumably absorb much of the crash force rather than distributing it across a person’s body. There is also hope that these inflatable harnesses can compensate for limitations in rear airbag technology. One thing is certain: the evolution of car seat belts continues. As it does, drivers and passengers will enjoy better protection on the road.

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