High-Pitched Squeaking Sounds Almost all pads these days are designed with a tiny metal tab that becomes uncovered when the friction layer is almost finished. This tab scrapes harmlessly against the rotor, generating a high-pitched squeaking or squealing sound. If you hear prolonged squeaking whenever you brake, it's probably time for a new pad. Metallic Grinding Noises The friction layer of a braking pad can't do much damage to a rotor disc. But if the friction layer wears away entirely, only the metal casing of the pad will be left. When this metal casing scrapes directly against the rotor, it will damage the rotor while also generating less stopping force. This will usually create an alarming grinding sound. Very Thin-Looking Pads In most cars, you can look through the spokes of each wheel to visually inspect the pads. If the friction layer appears to be less than a quarter of an inch thick, it might be time for a new pad. Strange Rhythmic Vibrations When a rotor disc becomes damaged by a worn-out pad or the braking pad malfunctions in another way, you might feel a pulsating vibration through the brake pedal whenever you use it. If you feel odd pedal vibrations, it's best to ask a technician to take a look. Reduced Stopping Power The only job of braking pads is to effectively slow and stop your car. So if you ever sense that your brakes are weakening and taking longer to slow you down, pull over and check the condition of your pads. It might be the case that they've overheated, which can melt the compound in a pad's friction layer, releasing a tiny amount of gas that reduces friction. Pulling to One Side When Braking When a braking pad at the front of a car malfunctions, stopping power is usually weakened only on that side of the car. This can sometimes cause the vehicle to pull to one side when the brakes are applied. If this happens, you'll probably need a technician to diagnose the problem. Visit Freedom Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT By Ed Morse in Durant, OK to have your brakes inspected and repaired. Our family owned and operated dealership has been helping out the region's drivers for over 75 years.
Jeep Maintenance Services Available at Your Jeep Dealer
Regular maintenance will help to keep your Jeep in perfect condition. As time passes, parts will age or become damaged, which affects your Jeep's performance. As your Jeep dealer, we have a wide range of services to enable it to always perform at its best. These are some of the types of Jeep maintenance we provide. Oil Change Oil is as vital for your engine as blood is for the body. Oil is pumped through the engine and additives inside break down potential blockages before they form and absorb dirt and rust particles to keep the engine clean. The viscous oil surrounds many engine components with a protective coating to reduce friction damage. Over time, the oil slowly degrades and becomes thicker and slower due to the dirt and other particles it absorbs. Older oil is less effective at preventing friction, which increases engine wear and tear. During an oil change, we drain the old oil, then we replace the used oil filter. We install a new filter to enable the oil to flow freely, and we'll refill your engine with high-quality oil. Battery Testing Any driver who's experienced a dead battery knows it is one of the most frustrating and annoying experiences. The battery is essential to providing the electricity that starts your engine. Unfortunately, it has a relatively short life. Your battery will gradually weaken as the chemicals that enable it to supply, store, and recharge electricity slowly break down. We can give you a heads-up on your battery's current health and potential future life. We do this by connecting your battery to our battery tester. This machine will analyze your battery's strengths and possible weaknesses. If your battery is healthy, we advise retesting it in one year. If your battery is failing, we can install a new one for you in minutes. Tune-Up A tune-up focuses on your ignition system and related components. A problem with any of these components can result in misfiring, stalling, or your engine refusing to start. During a tune-up, we examine the spark plugs and wires and check the condition of the ignition coils. The coils provide the additional power to allow the spark plugs to ignite the fuel-air mixture and produce combustion. We also remove and replace damaged plugs or coils. We check your coolant level and its condition to see if it's working effectively to control the engine temperature. Our technicians will also remove and replace your engine air filter, cabin air filter, and fuel filter. When you drive home, you'll notice an immediate improvement in your Jeep's performance. These are only a handful of the many services that we offer. Contact our service department today at Freedom CDJRF By Ed Morse in Durant, OK to book your service.
Signs You Need a New Car Battery From Your Chrysler Dealer
At Freedom Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT By Ed Morse, we value your vehicle's reliability as much as you do, and one of the keys to that reliability is a good car battery. Do you know the signs that it's time for a new car battery from your Chrysler dealer? Let us clue you in. Battery Warning Light The battery warning light is often the first sign that something is wrong with the battery or charging system. If this light illuminates, get your battery checked as soon as possible. We understand it's tempting to put it off, especially if you're hoping it's just a diagnostics system glitch, but you don't want to be stuck somewhere late at night unable to start your car. Engine Struggles to Start Another obvious sign of a battery nearing its end is when the engine struggles to start. This issue usually manifests as a slow cranking sound when you attempt to start the engine. It indicates that the battery is having difficulty providing the necessary power to start your vehicle. Intermittent Power Loss If you notice intermittent power loss to components like the radio, dashboard lights, or even the air conditioning system, you might have a failing battery or alternator. These sporadic issues often occur because the battery is unable to consistently supply power to all electronic components. This might also manifest as unexplained electrical glitches, like the infotainment system resetting, sporadic warning lights, or erratic wiper operations. Battery's Physical Condition A visual check can reveal much about your battery's health. Look for signs such as a swollen or bloated battery case, which can result from overcharging or heat exposure, or corrosion on the terminals, which impedes the battery's ability to transfer power. Light corrosion can be cleaned off pretty easily, but if the corrosion is bad, the battery probably needs to be replaced. And if you see a swollen battery case, get help immediately: there could be severe consequences if you don't. Vehicle Age and Battery Replacement History A car battery usually lasts about three years under tough conditions, and around five in more ideal ones. If your CDJR vehicle's battery is within this age range or hasn't been replaced in a while, it's wise to get it checked. Cold Weather Starting Problems A battery that may be fine during the warmer months could start to exhibit starting problems in cold weather if the battery is failing. If your battery is getting up there and was working fine in September, but in December starts to have issues, it likely needs to be replaced. If you notice any of these signs, bring your CDJR vehicle to our service center at Freedom Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT By Ed Morse.