Good, well-maintained brakes allow you to control your speed and stop in an instant. This can be vital, as a potential accident situation could occur at any time. Brake components can wear out through use, and you'll need a brake repair. Your Suzuki dealer in Pulaski, VA, can fix any braking issues for you. These are a few signs that your brakes need to be checked. Screeching Noises Your brake pads are an essential part of your braking system. They fit into the brake calipers and generate friction against the wheel rotors. This friction slows and stops the rotors. The pads have a thick friction material covering, but this covering wears down slightly each time you use your brakes. The material covering is 1/2" thick when the pad is new, and when it reaches 1/4" thickness it's time to change the pads. more The pads manufacturers build a warning into each pad by installing a metal spike. Once the pad drops to 1/4", this spike will scratch against the rotor and produce a loud screeching noise. When you hear a screeching noise, you know you need new pads ASAP. Weak Brake Pedal When you step on the brake pedal, you expect resistance. The harder your press on the pedal, the more resistance you'll encounter. This resistance is due to the pressure in the braking system. High pressure is essential, as your brakes have to slow and stop a vehicle weighing an average of 4,000 lbs that's moving at speed. If you encounter little resistance from the pedal, this is a worrying sign. It means that the pressure in the brake system is low. The possible causes of low pressure are a blockage in the system or a brake fluid leak. Air can cause a blockage and reduce the pressure in the system. Low brake pressure means that the brakes will take much longer to engage. Pulling to One Side If your Suzuki pulls to one side when you hit the brakes, part of your braking system has failed. This problem occurs when the brakes on only one side of your car engage. Your car automatically moves towards the side with the working brake. This failure can be dangerous, as turning to one side could potentially result in an accident if it happens unexpectedly. Pulling could mean a hydraulic failure, as the brake fluid isn't exerting pressure on the caliper. This problem could also be a mechanical failure as the relevant caliper may have failed. Our technicians will examine your braking system and find and fix the problem. Don't risk driving with a braking problem. Come and see us at Duncan Suzuki.
Your Suzuki's alternator has the vital job of supplying all of the power for your car's systems and devices. The alternator generates power by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Like any component, your alternator may eventually start to fail, and you'll need an alternator repair. In Pulaski, VA, your friendly Suzuki dealer can help you. These are signs that your alternator is failing. Burning Wiring The electricity produced by your alternator has to be transported throughout your car. This requires a large network of wires and cables that run through your engine. A car's engine is a very inhospitable place for wiring, as it's hot and subject to constant movement. The wiring is protected by thick plastic and rubber coverings, but wires can still get damaged. more In time, wires can fray or break. A broken or damaged wire will cut off electricity to one or more of your car's components. The lack of electricity will be noted by your car's computer. Your alternator will be ordered to supply more power, and this causes the wiring to heat up. As the wiring gets hotter, it can cause the rubber or plastic coverings to burn. A Dead Battery Your car's battery has a limited life, and if it's over five years old, it's probably worn out. If, however, you have a newer battery that runs down, the problem could be a worn alternator. As your alternator gets older, it produces less electricity. Eventually, your alternator won't be able to produce enough electricity for all of your car's systems and devices. The lack of power will also affect your battery, as the alternator is responsible for keeping it fully charged. A worn alternator won't be able to fully recharge your battery. Your battery will slowly grow weaker, and will eventually fail due to lack of recharging. Our technicians can your alternator, and we'll replace it if it's failing. Blown Alternator Fuse Your alternator, like any other electrical system, is controlled by a fuse. Fuses are designed to protect the component they're connected to from electrical faults by blowing. A fuse that blows will cut off power to the component it's responsible for. This protects the component from damage but switches it off until the fuse is replaced. If your alternator fuse blows, the alternator will shut down. When the alternator isn't working, your battery will have to supply power. A car battery isn't designed to supply all of your car's electrical needs, and this will cause it to fail. Most alternator problems can be quickly and easily fixed. If you suspect a problem with your alternator, call us at Duncan Suzuki.
Your car is an exceptional vehicle, and to keep it operating at its full potential, it requires regular car maintenance. Parts can wear out, lubricants can run low, and replaceable items need to be replaced. At your local used car dealership, we can provide all of your auto maintenance needs. These are a few of the services you'll find when you visit us. Transmission Service Your transmission is one of the hardest working parts of your car. It works continuously to convert your engine power into a usable form to move your wheels. The transmission is directly connected to our engine by the torque converter. This means that a problem with the transmission will also lead to problems with your engine. more When we service your transmission, our expert technicians check every part of it for signs of wear or damage. We replace gaskets and seals to ensure that there's no possibility of a transmission fluid leak. We also replace the transmission filter and refill the transmission with clean transmission fluid. You'll immediately notice the difference as soon as you shift your transmission into drive. Tire Rotations Your tires suffer wear and tear each time you drive. Slowly, the tread starts to get thinner, and parts of the tires take extra wear. Tires are expensive to replace, and this makes it important to keep them in good condition for as long as possible. When we rotate your tires, we switch tires from positions of greatest wear to positions of lesser wear. The level of wear and the positions on the tires that suffer depend on the type of drivetrain you have. FWD, RWD, and AWD vehicles all have different wear patterns. Once we've rotated your tires, you'll start to notice the benefits as you drive. Our technicians will also the alignment and balance of your tires as we rotate them. Battery Testing The battery in your car provides the charge that starts your engine. When you press the button, an electrical charge is sent from the battery to the starter solenoid. This charge powers the solenoid and begins the crank. A battery has a relatively limited lifespan, and it will wear out in three to five years. As the battery starts to wear out, it will become more difficult to charge. To prevent being stuck on the highway with a dead battery, we advise a battery test when your battery is three years old. We'll connect your battery to our testing unit and subject it to a series of tests. If your battery shows signs it's failing, we can replace it for you. We have many more services available! Come in and see us at Duncan Suzuki!
