The Mail-Journal, Volume 15, Number 13, Milford, Kosciusko County, 19 April 1978 — Page 26

Seven points cited as way to cope with brake trouble

Powered or unpowered, drum or disc, your car’s brakes are one of the simplest systems in your car and one of the most critical to your safety. So an understanding of the following seven common points of failure is vital. * * * 1. Fade is one of the most common problems. Although cheap or defective linings, fluid or drums may be at fault, the usual cause of fade is simply overheating from Severe service. Three things can happen, any of which can cause partial or total brake failure. If two or three happen simultaneously, you have very little hope of stopping your car. FIRST, excessive heat can temporarily weaken the drum and cause it to distort from the pressure of the shoes inside it. This may allow excessive movement of the shoes and cause the pedal to go all the way to the floor. SECOND, heat may cause the brake fluid to boil and become compressible; this would also allow the pedal to go to the floor. FINALLY and most commonly, heat glazes the lining, giving it an almost liquid coating that acts as a lubricant, preventing the buildup of friction necessary to stop the car. In a minor case, all the cure that’s needed is time—--15 to 30 minutes at the most — to allow the brake parts to cool. When they do, they will operate normally if they have not been damaged by excessive heat. The trick is to recognize the onset of brake fade and get the car stopped before it gets worse. * * • 2. When the brakes don’t take hold until the pedal almost touches the floor, this is known as excessive pedal travel and is a serious problem. If not corrected, it wilkp lead to a total brake failure A simple adjustment may cure the problem, but a complete system check is called for because there may be a leak or other critical hydraulic defect. If the pedal goes all the way to the floor, do not attempt to drive; have your car towed to a repair shop. * * * 3. Spongy pedal is usually caused by air getting into the hydraulic system when the fluid level is low. Correction may require only a simple “bleeding” job that usually costs a few dollars for an hour’s labor.

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But there could also be a serious mechanical failure; get a thorough inspection. » • * 4. Wheel pull or failure of the car to stop in a straight line can result from a defective brake or simple maladjustment It can also be caused by excessive wear somewhere in the steering system or an oil leak from an axle. But don’t treat it as an annoyance; it will probably get worse — perhaps suddenly — and it could easily cause you to lose control of your car. Have it looked at right away. * * * 5. Squeal sometimes comes from certain brands of extrahard brake linings. It’s annoying, but not necessarily a danger sign. On the other hand, the noise may result from a mechanical malfunction or worn lining. Excessive or sudden new brake squeal calls for a checkup. * * * 6. Drag may be caused by many things, but the scraping sound is a sure sign that something is wrong. To neglect dragging brakes (partly engaged) will Options affect amount of gas your car uses How your car is equipped " affects fuel consumption • You might want to consider installing a dashmounted vacuum gauge calibrated in fuel economy ranges. Such gauges allow the driver to monitor fuel use and engine condition while driving. • Such options as air conditioning and — to a lesser exteht — even electrical accessories such as heaters, defrosters and radios use more gasoline. When air conditioning is not in use fuel economy improves by 5 to 14% or more. Air conditioning also adds weight —about 100 pounds — to a car, increasing fuel consumption even more because of the extra weight. If you have it, use it sparingly. • An automatic transmission can be a gas-using option. Manual transmissions generally use less gas, particularly in small cars, although this may not hold true in situations where frequent shifting is required. • Power steering also uses a bit more fuel.

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not only allow them to ruin themselves but will inevitably lead to a total failure. • • • 7. Pulsation or chatter, a vibrating sensation you may feel at the pedal or notice at the wheel, comes from a loose support plate or from a broken or out-of-round drum. It is usually a minor problem to correct but it needs immediate attention. Keep this in mind about br ikes: when defective they never get better of their own accord; they only get worse. And when a defect shows up, total failure may be only seconds away.

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Don’t pass up free services

Maybe the best things in life aren’t really free, but if you pass up those free services offered by service outlets, it may cost you. Take the simple precaution of checking battery water levels. It requires only a few seconds of time and absolutely no money. But if battery fluid levels are allowed to drop and the condition is not detected, it could mean premature deterioration of the battery. It could cause an inconvenient “can’t start” as well. During hot, dry periods of summer, battery water is more likely to evaporate. So, especially during warm weather months, have the battery checked every time

you stop for gas. In addition to water levels, have the battery checked for corrosion and soundness of the cables. Another free service that can save you money is checking the tires for proper inflation. Both underinflation and overinflation can be harmful to tires, wearing them out prematurely. For accurate readings, do not have the tires checked after you’ve driven more than a few miles. Other free checks that will help prevent trouble include inspection of oil level and windshield washer fluid. Low levels of oil can lead to engine damage and no fluid in the washer reservoir could hamper visibility at a critical time.