If you’re lucky, the squealing (or squeaking) noise that your brakes make when you first drive your car in the morning, particularly after rain or snow, is just surface rust being scraped off the rotors by the pads the first few times you apply the brake pedal, or the result of moisture and dirt that collects on the rotors, including from condensation caused by high humidity. If it goes away after a few brake applications, no worries.

If the noise persists most times or every time you apply the brakes or stays on continuously while you’re driving, the cause is more serious — and the fix will be more expensive.

A continuous high-pitched squeal while you’re driving is usually the sound of a built-in wear indicator telling you that it’s time for new pads. As the pads wear down and get thinner, a small metal tab contacts the rotor like a needle on a vinyl record to warn you it’s time for new pads. (Some wear indicators may work differently and engage only when you apply the brakes.)

Other squeals and squeaks will require a brake inspection to diagnose, and may require cleaning, lubrication or adjustment, and possibly new parts. Most brake noise is caused by worn or loose parts.

For example, an unevenly worn rotor (often referred to as “warped”) won’t let the brake pads press flat against the rotor when you apply the brakes, and that can create vibrations that generate noise. Likewise, an unevenly worn pad won’t press tightly against the rotor and may chirp. Another possibility is that the pads are loosely mounted, or the shims that hold them in place have corroded or become loose.

And then there are the pads themselves. Some mechanics warn that bargain-bin pads are more likely to be noisier than higher-quality, more-expensive pads. In addition, loose or sticking calipers can contribute noise.

Because there are several possibilities, and because brakes are a crucial safety feature, it is best to have a pro diagnose noise.

A grinding sound usually means that the pads have worn away, and now the backing plates on which they were mounted are being squeezed against the rotor. This metal-to-metal contact means that you will need to replace the rotor as well — and that you probably ignored some earlier warning signs of brake wear.

Read more at https://www.cars.com/articles/why-are-my-brakes-squealing-1420684417093/

Shopping for a Ferrari for sale can be a difficult process if you do not know what you are doing. By educating yourself about car shopping before you head to the dealership, you can make things easier for yourself. The following tips can help your next shopping trip be more enjoyable.

When you are going to buy a car, you need to know ahead of time which features are essential for you in the car. Have a clear picture of what you want, so you can search for the right price as well as the right car for your needs.

Always ask the seller if they are willing to let you do a test drive. While some private sellers may not offer you the chance to do a test drive, there are many that will. You should try to do your deal with someone who will allow you to see how the car runs.

If you are trading in an automobile, visit your local library and find out the value of your car. You can also look this information up online in several different locations. By having the trade-in value of your car and the retail value of your car you can negotiate better.

Visit your local bank and get pre-approved for a car loan. This one step cannot only save you a lot of time at dealership, but it will also save you money most of the time. By getting a loan at your bank, you can negotiate your interest rate more effectively; thus, lowering your overall payment.

Don’t let a salesperson talk you into buying a vehicle you can’t afford. A lot of current sports car owners were smoothly talked into one by a salesman who convinced them that they would look great driving it. Keep in mind that a salesperson is trying their best to make a decent commission, so selling a more expensive car benefits them.

Ask your friends about what they hear. Do they enjoy their cars? Do they regret purchasing it? What are they hearing in terms of cars they’d wish to have? This is a great way to get a lay of the land before you begin your car shopping.

Be wary of any dealer who is not willing to give you an extended test drive. Asking for a full afternoon to test out the car is a perfectly reasonable request. If the dealer refuses and will not accommodate the request, you should take your business elsewhere. A car is a big purchase and a big commitment, a dealer should understand that and let you get completely comfortable with the car before purchasing.

Never turn over your trade-in keys to the salesperson before the deal is finalized. Some pushy salespeople will hang onto them in an effort to pressure you into hearing them out, even after you have turned down a deal. Keep the keys in your possession and only hand them over when the deal is done.

Make sure to take your time. Even if you are really excited about buying a car, don’t run out and buy it on the same day. Make sure that you have taken the time to do research on safety, repairs and other factors before doing something you might end up regretting.

If you are absolutely in love with a certain color or interior finish, don’t settle for less. Though the specific vehicle that you want might not be in stock at your local dealership, ask them if they can get it for you. Most dealerships have relationships with other dealerships and will trade vehicles back and forth. Keep in mind though, you might end up paying a little bit extra to cover some of the costs of the trade.

If you are thinking about buying a car that is still under warranty. You need to make sure that whatever is left of the vehicle warranty is in writing. You don’t want to purchase a car only to find out that the warranty has been void, leaving you paying extra for nothing.

If you keep the preceding advice in mind the next time that you go shopping for a car, you will be more likely to get a good deal. Buying a car does not have to be a headache. Just use the tips from this article and you can get the car you want at a good price.

If you live in Kent or the area, then you may be interested in buying a used Volkswagen Golf, and what features the vehicle has and how to find a reputable seller.

1. Reasons To Buy A Used Golf- There are many reasons why you should buy a used Volkswagen Golf, with one of them being that you can find one at a great price. Sure, you can purchase a brand new one, but if you want to save money, then you should buy a used one. You might be surprised at how much money you can save by buying a used Golf instead of a brand new one.

The Volkswagen Golf is known for being durable and reliable, even when it has already been previously owned. If you are a fan of the Golf and/or you’re looking for a reliable vehicle and a durable one, then consider buying a used Golf in Kent. Even if the vehicle you buy has high miles on it, the chances are it will still last you for a longtime to come.

2. Features- There are a number of Golf models available, and they all have their own unique features, but some features may include a DAB radio, parking sensors, front fog lights and Bluetooth connectivity. All of those features can be found in the Golf S. Features such as a radiator grille, heated front seats and foldable door mirrors can be found in the Match BlueMotion Edition.

It doesn’t matter what type of Volkswagen Golf vehicle you get, you can rest assure it will be packed with quality and useful features you will love.

3. Finding A Reputable Seller- If you want to buy a used Volkswagen Golf, then make sure you find a reputable and a good seller. What you want to do is go to a dealership that has a large selection of vehicles, including various Golf models. You want to choose a dealership that has good reviews about it, as well as one that offers warranties on their vehicles because the last thing you want to do is spend a lot of money on a Volkswagen Golf, only for something to go wrong with it.

Also, try to choose a dealership that is known for their prices. Many dealers sell Volkswagen Golfs at a good price, but some do sell them at high prices. Make sure you compare a few dealerships before you choose to buy a used Golf from one.

As you can see, there are a number of reasons why you should buy a used Volkswagen Golf and you know how to find a reputable dealership. All you have to do now is find a good dealership in Kent and choose the right Golf for your needs. The sooner you shop around for Volkswagen Golf models, the sooner you will find one you want to buy.

Air conditioning for cars allows the car to have a good atmosphere in which the driver and passengers are comfortable. Now as much all air conditioners work the same way you need to know that when you turn on the one in your car, the number of miles will be affected.

Air conditioning like it says ‘conditions’ the air. It not only cools it down, but also reduces the moisture content, or humidity. All air conditioners work the same way whether they are installed in a building, or in a car. The fridge or freezer is in a way an air conditioner as well. Air conditioning is a field in it’s own right, but we’ll stick to the main points or a car’s air conditioning and the main parts used and a few hints to keep the air-con system running properly.

A number of people don’t realise that turning on the air conditioning actually reduces the number of miles per gallon of your car. There is energy used in removing the heat and moisture from the air in the car, and this consumes petrol because of the extra engine load.

Sourced from: http://www.airconcars.com/html/how_it_works.html

It’s a hot afternoon and you are all sweaty in the car and you cannot have a firm grip on the steering. Such is the scenario of a car that does not have conditioning. You need to do something fast and that is get an AC or if it is there then there is  something wrong with it and therefore you will need to check out for the signs just to be sure.

Cool But Not Cold

If the air conditioning is set to max cool and fans on high, but is only blowing moderately cool air.

Check to see that the cooling fans on the condenser or radiator are running when the air conditioning is on.

Look for any restrictions like leaves, bugs or dirt that would keep air from passing over the condenser.

Check the cabin air filter to ensure that it is not clogged.

Compressor

When diagnosing an air conditioning issue, it’s easiest to begin at the compressor.

With the engine running turn the A/C on max cool, set fans high, and make sure that the clutch is engaging on the compressor.

Note: this is not the pulley, but the center piece that engages the pulley to the compressor shaft. If the clutch is engaging and disengaging rapidly, the refrigerant may be low.

If the clutch is not engaging, use a voltmeter to check for voltage getting to the compressor.

If there is voltage – the clutch may be bad.

Sourced from: http://www.autozone.com/landing/page.jsp?name=diagnose-auto-ac-problem

Do not wait for the unexpected to happen with your AC. You should be maintain it so that it can give you long and effective service. It is quite cheap to maintain the conditioner than having to buy a new one and the fact that you can do it all by yourself makes it all easier.

Run the air conditioner once a week for about ten minutes. This will maintain gas pressure to keep the compressor working properly. When you do this, be sure to turn it to its highest fan speed and coolest setting.

Run defrost mode for about five to ten minutes. This prevents mildew and cleans out excessive moisture, which can lead to unsavory odors in your car.

Use your air conditioner in winter. In addition to cooling your vehicle, one of the air conditioner’s primary functions is to remove humidity from the cabin. It works especially well when you need to remove fog from the windshield to improve visibility.

Re-charge your air conditioning system. Every two years refresh the cooling system with gas and lubricant.

Sourced from: http://www.levintirecenter.com/five-tips-for-maintaining-your-cars-air-conditioning-system.html

Do you have a car that you are ready to sell? If so, the internet is the best place to do it. Placing your car for sale on the internet offers many benefits and you may be asking yourself why. Well, here are the reasons that you should consider posting your car online to sell it fast.

First of all, the internet has a huge marketplace. Millions and millions of people are online every single hour of every single day. With the right vehicle and advertising, you can get your car, truck, van, or SUV seen by even a fraction of internet users. That is a huge amount of prospective buyers just looking at your car and thinking about buying it. Imagine if you didn’t post your vehicle online. Would you have that many views on it? Not nearly as many as if you post it online to sale it quickly.

Next, if you are planing to start selling your used car on the internet it allows you to share as much information about the vehicle as possible. In other car selling options, you are limited to the amount of information you can share, but not when you choose an online option. When selling a car, you want the prospective buyers to see each and every detail so they can make an informed decision. The more you can share about the used car for sale on the internet, the better and more likely you are to sale it for a great price. Also, this can save you a lot of time instead of people contacting you to ask for these details.

Also, with a bigger marketplace, you can sell your used car online for more money. With more people seeing your vehicle, that will mean more people will likely want it. The more popular your vehicle is, the more profit it will bring.

Depending on where you list your car online, you may be able to sell it quicker than other methods. Again, more people will see it and that will mean more people will likely want to purchase the vehicle. This can work out nicely in your favor.

As you can see, selling your used car online is a great option. There will be more prospective buyers for your vehicle, you can sell it quickly, and for more money. Not only that, but you can share several pictures and a lot of information about the used car to sell it quicker.

Motor vehicle maintenance is not something that should be taken for granted. It is a fact that over 80% of all road related accidents are as a result of poorly maintained vehicles. Vehicles like any other machinery require proper maintenance to ensure that they sustain safety, durability, performance and reliability. Your Driving Schools Glasgow should have taught you about basic car maintenance when you learnt to drive.

Regular car maintenance as a safety measure.

Constantly checking the vehicles parts and systems goes a long way in ensuring that you as the driver or owner remain safe while driving. It is not strange to hear that an accident was caused as a result failed brakes or a loose wheel bolts or nuts.

To prevent such life-threatening situation, it is always wise to carry out regular checks. There is a variety of simple checks and safety precautions that are available to ensure that you are secure and comfortable as you drive your car.

You can have the braking system checked. Adjustments on the brakes can be done through a process called bleeding that ensures that there are no air bubbles in the braking fluid that would cause the brakes to fail. Regular changing of worn out brake pads should also be done to ensure a safe and secure braking system.

Constant tightening of wheel bolts and nuts is another safety maintenance procedure. This ensures that the wheels are fastened eliminating the chances of these wheels coming off while driving.

Regular motor vehicle checks to ensure the reliability of the car.

Nobody desires to have a car that keeps on breaking down whenever you are out on a ride. As a driver, you want to be sure that the vehicle can take you to the desired destination with little or no drama. The only way to ensure that your vehicle is reliable is having regular servicing done on it.

Reliability checks involve inspecting several car systems. You can start by checking the wheels for tear and wear. Having worn out tires may just cost you night out resulting from tire bursts. Regularly checking the headlights and the battery is also very crucial. You really do not want to drive at night with no lights and on low battery power. It can be a very frightening ordeal.

Other checks such as wheel alignment and windshield wipers checks are very important. Driving in the rain with no wipers can hinder visibility to almost zero percent and can be dangerous. Wheel alignment ensures that the vehicle remains stable.

Regular checks ensure the performance of the vehicle is maintained.

Regularly servicing of an automobile has a positive effect on the performance of the vehicle. As a driver, you really want the vehicle to be at its optimum performance potential. By having the vehicle constantly checked and upgraded, performance will always be top notch.

For great performance experience, there have to be regular engine oil changes. The transmission fluid should also be changed. The constant change of the spark plugs also goes a long way in maintaining the performance of the vehicle.

The fuel and oil filters should also be checked for cleaning or replacement. Other things that should be inspected in relation to performance are the timing belts and the engine coolant.

Ensuring durability of a vehicle through regular car maintenance.

All the efforts put while servicing the vehicle are all geared towards prolonging its durability. Most people attach sentimental value to their very first car and would really want to drive it for a long time. Having the car regularly maintained ensure that it lasts longer, and hence you can have the opportunity to use it for a very long time.

Regularly having your car checked can save you a lot of money and time in the future. Vehicles do a lot for us, and we should at least have the decency of having them well maintained.