Screeeeech!

It’s a sound that no one wants to hear, especially while driving their car around Raleigh.  It’s the sound that your vehicle’s brakes may be making as they go bad.  It is the obvious final sign that you have waited too long to have your brakes checked.  There are things you can look for and notice before that, however.

Here are some signs that your car’s brakes have lived out their lives –

1.  The brake light comes on…duh!

2.  Wobbling and vibration when stopping.

3.  Fluid is leaking.

4.  Soft or spongy brake pedals.

5.  A burning smell.

6.  And, of course the aforementioned squealing and grinding noises.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda…we can all kick ourselves that we did not have our brakes checked earlier, but NOW it is definitely time to drive in (carefully, now your brakes are going bad) to Jim’s Auto Service located at 3711 Tarheel Dr. in Raleigh.  You could also call ahead for an appointment at (919) 824-4566.

Rotors Gone Bad.

What are the rotors on your wheels, anyway?  The rotors are part of the disc brakes that allow your vehicle to stop when the vehicle is in motion.  If the rotors happen to be warped, your vehicle may not be able to stop properly in an emergency situation.  This can be dangerous if you need to stop to avoid an accident.

Here are some things to look for –

1.  They should be examined on a regular basis because they do wear down.

2.  Stopping time increases.

3.  A warped rotor can cause brakes to temporarily fail.

4.  You feel vibrations in your brake pedals when driving.

5.  Listen for a thumping or high-pitched hum.

Replacing and maintaining rotors is not just responsible but may affect the safety of your entire family!  If you have experienced any of the above signs, make an appointment at the break repair experts of Raleigh.  That’s Jim’s Auto Service located at 3711 Tarheel Drive.  Just call for an appointment before it becomes an emergency at (919) 824-4566.

Stay Safe by Stopping on a Dime.

Your vehicle’s brakes are what keeps you from an unmitigated disaster on the highways and bi-ways of the Raleigh area.  Look, listen, and learn.  When are your brakes going bad?  You need to know what to look for and what to listen to in determining if it is time to visit your favorite auto mechanic to have your car’s brakes replaced.

First, check for wear by looking at your brake pads through the spaces between the wheel's spokes.  Generally, there should be at least 1/4 inch of pad.  If you see less than 1/4 inch of pad, you may want to have your brake pads inspected or replaced.  Secondly, if you hear a high-pitched screeching sound when you apply your brakes there may be danger ahead.

Your family’s safety is at stake here!  If you live anywhere in the Raleigh area call Jim’s Auto Service immediately to make an appointment at their location on 3711 Tarheel Drive.  Jim and his crew have worked on just about every make and model on the road and will have you back there safely in no time.  Just call (919) 824-4566.

Failing Brakes are like Fingernails on a Chalkboard.

It is a sound we never want to hear…the grinding and screeching of failing brakes on our vehicle.  How long does it take to stop when you are driving down the highways of the Raleigh area?  At sixty miles per hour it will take your car the length of a football field to come to a complete stop!

What are some of the signs of failing brakes?  The obvious one is the sudden appearance of the brake light on the dashboard.  At least we have this modern piece of technology to “dumb down” the process.  If you have driven for any length of time you instinctively know that it is taking just a bit longer to bring your car to a halt.

At the very first sign of failing brakes we know where to turn in our area.  It is the ultimate “shade tree mechanic”.  Jim Liacos of Jim’s Auto Services is the Raleigh area brake specialist.  He will diagnose and effect any and all necessary repairs to your vehicle’s brake system.  Don’t let the danger grow.  Make an appointment with Jim Liacos at his shop located at 3711 Tarheel Drive by calling (919) 824-4566.

Time To Get to Know Your Auto Mechanic.

I think this is a really good idea.  Simply put, your mechanic is your car’s doctor.  You want to get to know your family physician don’t you?  In the same way, you want to know that the place you take your vehicle to be maintained and repaired is run by someone that you trust with your car’s life.

Consider this your formal introduction to your vehicle’s future mechanic.  We call him Raleigh’s ultimate “shade tree” mechanic because of his years working on every conceivable thing on four wheels.  He grew up just north of Boston (you might still be able to pick up the accent!).  He served in the Army in the late 60’s. 

Rather than continue to describe this renaissance man we invite you to visit www.jimsautoservices.com.  After you read the biography of Jim Liacos I believe that you will want to trust him with your vehicle’s well-being.  Let Jim work on your car EVERY time.  Make an appointment at his 3711 Tarheel Drive location by calling (919) 824-4566.

Brake Check Time.

Next to the engine itself and the tires, what could be more important than your vehicle’s brakes?  Your safety depends on them.  Now that winter is pretty much over it is time to make sure that your brakes are ready for increased highway driving in warmer weather.  When was the last time that a professional took a look at them?

Often, it is painfully obvious that brake repair is a priority.  When you hear that awful “squealing noise” when you put your foot on the pedal do not hesitate another day.  A less obvious, but important sign would be a “mushy” feeling when you apply the brakes.  We may convince ourselves that this is not serious, but it probably demands your attention.

Brakes do not always adhere to a schedule.  Your owner’s manual may tell you the number of miles that are “projected” between a brake replacement.  Safety is at stake here.  Trust Raleigh’s vehicle brake replacement expert Jim Liacos.  Stop by his shop located at 3711 Tarheel Drive and have your brakes checked…or call for an appointment at (919) 824-4566.

Tips for Winterizing Your Vehicle.

I know, it’s only October and the weather may be ideal right now, but the rough stuff is just around the corner.  It doesn’t take a trained mechanic to know that winter WILL take its toll on your vehicle.  We are going to tell you about a trusted friend in Raleigh who will take care of your car’s mechanical needs, but first here are some winterizing tips to remember.

1.  Get an appropriate oil change.  Oil will thicken in colder weather.

2.  Replace your wiper blades if there is any chance they won’t respond properly.

3.  Have all of your belts and hoses examined thoroughly.

4.  Make sure that the antifreeze mixture in your vehicle is just right for winter.

5.  One thing to do on your own…prepare an emergency medical kit.

These and other safety strategies will hopefully make this winter a worry-free one as far as transportation is concerned.  Now you need to find the right master mechanic to get your car ready for winter.  In Raleigh, NC that man is Jim Liacos.  He is your area vehicle winterizing expert.  Call today before the weather changes and make an appointment at (919) 824-4566.

Is Your Car Telling You It Needs Brake Service?

We tend to overlook our brakes until we hear screeching noises.  There are many other signs of impending brake failure before it ever gets to that point.  Does your brake pedal feel more soft and spongy?  Conversely, if the brake pedal is hard to push this may be indicative of a problem in the power assist mechanism.

Worn seals or split hoses may seriously reduce your braking poser.  If your car pulls to one side or another you may be headed for eventual disaster even if there is no noise at this particular time.  How long does it take to come to a complete stop?  This one can sneak up on you because you are not thinking that it is taking longer to stop with the same amount of pressure on the brake.

Jim’s Auto Service in Raleigh is a Raleigh NC brake repair specialist.  Jim Liacos brings more than 40 years of experience to brake systems of all kinds.  That’s why his family of repeat customers continues to grow.  Make an appointment today to have your brakes inspected at his location at 3711 Tarheel Drive in Raleigh by calling (919) 824-4566.