What are the warning signs of brake and alignment problems?
AAA lists squealing, shaking when braking, a harder or spongy pedal, pulling to one side and a puddle under the car as signs your brakes may need service, and says to have a technician check them as soon as possible. For alignment, AAA lists the car pulling to one side, a steering wheel that is not centered and uneven tire wear as signs it may be off.
What are the warning signs for brakes?
- Squealing or screeching. AAA calls it "one of the most common signs your brakes need service." Worn pads can trigger a warning squeal, and AAA says addressing it early "can help prevent damage to your rotors and calipers."
- Shaking when braking. It can point to bad pads or rotors, dirty brake fluid, overheated parts or air in the lines.
- A harder pedal, or a longer stop. AAA says to get to a mechanic "as quickly as possible." AAA also lists a soft or spongy pedal as possible air in the lines or a leak in the hydraulic system.
- Pulling to one side when braking. It can come from uneven lining wear.
- A puddle under the car. It may be air-conditioning condensation, but it could also be a brake fluid leak.
What does AAA say to do?
AAA says: "There's no such thing as a trivial brake issue." It advises having a technician check, and getting the car serviced as soon as possible, to avoid costlier repairs and keep it safe to operate. A driver cannot reliably tell which part is the problem, whether pads, calipers, rotors or fluid, so a technician has to diagnose it.
What about brake fluid?
Fresh brake fluid is light yellow and darkens to brown as it ages. Many manufacturers recommend replacing it every two to three years, so the owner's manual is the place to check.
What is wheel alignment?
AAA describes it as "the process of adjusting your vehicle's suspension angles": camber (how much of the tire touches the road), caster (the steering wheel's ability to self-center after a turn) and toe (the tires pointed at the correct angle to roll smoothly).
What are the signs an alignment may be off?
AAA lists: the car pulls heavily to one side; the steering wheel is not centered while driving straight; uneven or faster tire wear on the inner or outer edges; steering that feels hypersensitive, loose or sluggish; and squealing tires in regular turns. Tire wear is a clue: AAA says outer-edge wear suggests under-inflation, center wear suggests over-inflation, and wear on one side suggests misalignment.
What can knock an alignment out?
New tires, a collision, or hitting a pothole. The article overview also lists a curb.
How often should it be checked?
AAA suggests at least once a year, and after installing new tires or hitting something hard like a pothole. This is AAA's advice, not a rule.
Is alignment the same as balancing?
No. AAA calls them "two completely different procedures." Balancing equalizes the weight of a mounted tire and wheel, and AAA ties vibration at highway speed to balancing.
What does New York's inspection check?
New York's DMV says the state safety inspection checks the brake system, including the brake pedal reserve, a test for a straight stop without significant wheel pull, and the parts (pads or linings, rotors or drums, lines and hoses, and the parking brake). It also checks steering, front end, suspension and wheel fasteners, and tire tread must be at least 2/32 inch. The DMV page does not mention wheel alignment. This page says nothing about passing or failing.
What can I ask?
- What did you find, and which part needs work?
- Can I see the worn part?
- Is this repair needed now or can it wait, and why?
- Is it written on the estimate with each part and the labor?
- Did the alignment printout show readings before and after? (Ask; no neutral source says one is required.)
Our Sunset Park shop listed mechanical work, alignment, and tire and wheel repair.
General information only. This page does not say what any iDeal shop offers. Naming a source does not mean any iDeal shop is certified by it or affiliated with it.
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What does the check-engine light mean?A steady check-engine light means the car's computer found a problem and stored a code, and Consumer Reports says to schedule a check as soon as possible.
What does the New York State inspection check?New York's DMV says each car and light truck registered in New York must be inspected at least every 12 months.
When should I replace my tires, and what pressure should they have?AAA recommends replacing tires at 4/32 inch of tread, and Consumer Reports says to start shopping around then, well before New York's inspection minimum of 2/32.