Brakes 14

 

5 Telltale Signs Your Car Needs a Brake Service

Picture this, you’re driving down the road and you press down on your brake pedal because you need to either slow down or come to a stop. While pressing on the brake pedal, all of a sudden you hear a grinding noise coming from somewhere. Next, you immediately take your foot off the pedal and […]

September 2, 2020 More
 

What do Mechanics Look for When Performing a Vehicle Inspection?

One of the big pains in the neck about owning a car is having to re-register each and every year (depending on your state, you’ll renew either annually or biennially through the state’s Registry of Motor Vehicles). A big part of that is taking your car in for a mandatory vehicle inspection. Although not required in every […]

July 9, 2020 More
 

Spring Cleaning Checklist: How to ‘Marie Kondo’ Your Car

Your car wants winter to end just as much as you do. While you sit comfortably on your heated seats all bundled up in a warm coat, your car is completely exposed to all of the harsh winter elements – battling salt, slush, ice, snow and hail to get you where you need to go. […]

March 20, 2019 11 More
 

How to Become a Pothole Warrior

If driving on post-winter roads feels like you’re operating a Lunar Roving Vehicle across craters on the moon, you’re not alone. Along with spring flowers and showers come potholes. Cities like Omaha, DC, Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, New York, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, LA and Seattle (to name a few) are no strangers […]

March 20, 2019 More
 

Your Car May Need a Brake Replacement

Similar to tires, another important safety component on your vehicle wears out too; your brakes and brake rotors. These components absorb a tremendous amount of friction whenever a vehicle is brought to a stop. But how do we know when? Brake life varies greatly depending on driving behavior, how far we drive and the type […]

November 17, 2018 2 More
 

Drum Brakes vs. Disc Brakes – What You Need to Know

How to Tell if You Have Pads and Rotors or Shoes and Drums Vehicles on the road today can have two different types of braking systems, known as “disc brakes” and “drum brakes.” Each wheel on your vehicle has its own brake, and virtually all modern cars have disc brakes in front. Disc brakes are […]

December 16, 2016 More
 

Common Maintenance Question: How Often Do I Need a Brake Flush?

When a mechanic suggests you need a brake flush, many drivers fear that their wallets are being flushed instead. Nothing could be further from the truth. The fact of the matter is now that cars have advanced braking systems that contain lots of expensive components, so it makes sense to periodically flush the system. How Often Do I […]

September 22, 2016 More
 

Funny Customer Request: Car Trouble (ABS Light) Triggers Food Binge

Car trouble can be stressful — there’s nothing like the dreaded check-engine light haunting you, without any further explanation of what needs to be done to fix your car. Openbay recently received a service request from a driver whose illuminated ABS light allegedly triggered a food binge, or at least an excuse to have some fun filling in the […]

August 9, 2016 More
 

Meet John, Who Found Same-Day Auto Repair While Visiting L.A.

At Openbay, we like to speak with our customers to get a better understanding of the user experience. This week, we caught up with John about his recent service at Verdugo Tire & Auto. Where do you live and what do you drive? I live in Houston, TX, but had booked the service on my daughter’s car […]

May 27, 2016 More
 

5 Unnecessary Car Maintenance Items You Can Skip

Regular preventative car maintenance is virtually always cheaper in the long run than episodic repairs. Write that down somewhere, because there will be a test later. The service writer at your dealership or garage should always be advising you about what maintenance is needed (if not, check for yours here), and generally, it’s best practice […]

January 26, 2016 More