What is that scraping sound coming from my car?

Brake repair - Bedford PA

Brake Service - Auto Repair Service Bedford PA

What is that scraping sound coming from my car? It’s an all too common question that most people immediately say: “Oh, that’s the brakes!” But then the response is… “no, when I hit the brakes, the noise goes away!”

At Town Hill Auto Repair Service providing Napa certified maintenance and repair to the Bedford PA community, we know cars; and the little noises that in this case… are trying to tell you something.

The Tab Tells the Tale

There is a thin metal feeler (warning tab) that protrudes from the side of the brake pad. This “tab” scrapes against the brake rotor when the brake pad wears to the point that they should be replaced by an auto repair service. One of the telltale signs that your brakes are in need of replacement is a screeching noise (metallic) heard before you touch your brakes. For most modern cars in the Bedford, PA area, this is by design.

Especially with ABS (anti brake locking system) the brake pads “float” a small fraction in the caliper (part that holds them) The gap is around the thickness of 2 business cards so it isn’t very much, but that movement allows to the edge of the brake pad, where the warning tab is, to touch the brake rotor (the part the brake pads clamp on to stop). This produces a scraping sound that can often be heard at low speeds.

Town Hill Auto Repair Service is your Complete, Napa Certified, Service Center
in the Bedford PA area. Call Today 814-310-2221

Napa Brake Pads - Auto Repair Service Bedford PA

Why does the sound go away when I hit the brake?

The reason why the sound goes away is when the brakes are applied, that “angle” of the pad that floats in the caliper is flattened parallel to the rotors, making the warning tab move away from the rotor. This design actually provides a greater warning that your brake pads will need replaced. That is even better considering the braking needs in the hills and roads here around Bedford PA; can wear out pads rather quickly.

What to do when it scrapes all the time?

At this point the brake pads are thin enough to have the brake warning tab to touch the rotor all the time. When this occurs you should make an appointment with our Napa Certifies Auto Repair Service to replace the brakes, before damage to other components occur; or you don’t have the brake needed to safely stop.

When Local Experience Matters

Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA. is your main source for vehicle maintenance and repairs for your vehicle. Our ASE Master certified, dealer trained technicians can help you keep your vehicle ready for the road year around. Because we are a Napa certified repair facility, you can have peace of mind knowing that the repairs performed by Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA. are backed with quality Napa parts and our nationwide warranty. Be sure to check with our automotive experts on best tips and practices to keep your car in Bedford PA. running its best.

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Does the Brand of Gas I Use Actually Matter?

Adding fuel  - Auto Repair Service, Bedford PAThe short answer, yes. In fact, Town Hill Auto Repair Service deals with many fuel related component failures because of the many different brand standards that are within our Bedford, PA community.

In this article will look at why the brand of gas matters and recommendations to help keep your vehicle running smoothly.

The Detergent Dilemma

At the very top of the reasons why the brand of gas matters is the amount or type of detergent that is placed in the fuel. Some larger national chains place higher than EPA standard detergents in the fuel voluntarily others naturally, do not. The purpose of these fuel detergents is to help dilute and pass through carbon and container debris, that can cause build up in fuel system components; leading to failure and a trip to Town Hill Auto Repair Service. The main components that are most susceptible to this contamination are: fuel pump, fuel gauge sensors, injectors (or carburetor jets) intake and exhaust valves, the EGR valve and catalytic converter.

By running a better grade of detergent fuel, you can help offset some of the fuel component failures that would cause you need an auto repair service in Bedford PA.

Carbon Buildup - Auto Repair Service, Bedford PAThe Cash Conundrum

While it makes sense to use higher grade detergent fuel in your Bedford, PA vehicle; sometimes that can cut into the budget. Higher grade detergent gas in some cases cost $.05-$.07 more per gallon, which multiplied out over many tanks of gas over the year; can get expensive.

However, in the larger picture the automotive manufacturers have done their own independent studies to determine the cost difference between using detergent gas that meets EPA standards, versus those that exceed EPA standards; in relationship to carbon related repairs within a two-year period of time.

American Honda from 2003-2007 estimated that those that utilize better grade detergent fuel over the course of a year spent on average $45-$57 in additional fuel costs. When compared to the repair costs between clogged EGR ports, EGR failure, combustion chamber and engine ping (premature fuel ignition) amongst other fuel related issues where carbon was directly blamed; they determined that Honda owners were spending $390-$520 in repairs every two to five years.

Town Hill Auto Repair Service is your Complete, Napa Certified, Service Center
in the Bedford PA area. Call Today 814-310-2221

Fueling car  - Auto Repair Service, Bedford PAConclusion

When you do the math for those types of repairs, the extra $.05-$.07 more per gallon seems quite reasonable when compared to the auto repair service needed to correct carbon buildup; plus the reduced fuel efficiency and performance that comes from the carbon build up over that duration. Town Hill Auto Repair Service serving the Bedford, PA area recommends to have your fuel system completely cleaned then to use these better detergent fuels to help keep your auto repair bills at a minimum.

Some of the gas stations that have voluntarily exceeded EPA detergent additive standards are: Shell, ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, Phillips 66, Texaco and Valero and a few others. Some of the auto manufacturers that recommend using better grade detergent fuels are Mercedes, Toyota, Chevrolet, VW, Honda, BMW and Ford. These manufacturers independent studies have found that when better grade detergent fuel is used that the cost of ownership over a seven-year period of time can be decreased up to 20%!

When Local Experience Matters

Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA. is your main source for vehicle maintenance and repairs for your vehicle. Our ASE Master certified, dealer trained technicians can help you keep your vehicle ready for the road year around. Because we are a Napa certified repair facility, you can have peace of mind knowing that the repairs performed by Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA. are backed with quality Napa parts and our nationwide warranty. Be sure to check with our automotive experts on best tips and practices to keep your car in Bedford PA. running its best.

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Learn more about our services – click here

Learn more about our team – click here

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