Showing posts with label brakes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brakes. Show all posts

Sunday, June 9, 2013

US Transportation Secretary Prius Brakes Electronics Under Investigation


And the hits (to Toyotas formerly bullet-proof reputation) just keep on coming. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniaks complaints about uninteded acceleration in his Toyota Prius hybrid may have gotten Toyotas attention (after it got the medias), but the Feds are right behind them.

The Detroit News quotes U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood as saying his department is "investigating", "will keep the pressure on" and will "make sure they (Toyota) realize how serious this is."

And all this is separate from floor mats and gas pedal recalls.

While Wozniaks inteviews were the first a lot of people had heard about possible software glitches in the Prius Hybrid, troubles been bubbling under for some time. The Phoenix New Times did a lengthy piece about allegedly out-of-control Priuses in April of 2009.

And while we at TireKicker have never experienced unintended acceleration, our July 1, 2009 review of the 2010 Prius focused on a different electronic glitch...which allowed the car to be mistakenly shifted into Park while in motion.
Read more »

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Why do brakes squeak

To understand the cause of squeaking brake pads and repair it does not necessarily apply to the car wash, but you can try to do it on their own. The most common cause of an unpleasant sound - a low-quality material of brake pads. But sometimes peculiar squeaking occurs due to incompatibility with pads rotors car. Some manufacturers to improve the performance of the products use components compatible with the materials of which made brake discs. Also, if there is creaking under the newly installed brake pads, it may mean that they are not of high quality and will last a maximum of two weeks, and braking performance they will be quite low. But even high-quality new brake pads can publish cutting nerves characteristic squeal. It causes a special layer, which is applied to the surface of the pad. But as a rule, the sound disappears within two or three days, and for those who do not want to wait that long there is a way to more quickly get rid of him. Need to accelerate the car to a speed of 100km / h, and then slow down dramatically, and so a few times. After several attempts to block warmed to a temperature at which all the unwanted impurities, usually burn out. If the pads and go on to squeak, it means that they are of poor quality and urgently needed replacement. With prolonged use of brake pads nasty squeak means that they have developed up to the wear indicator, and is required immediately to change them. If improperly installed, shoes squeaking is the result of the contact plate with brake disc because of poor attachment. In any case, squeal pads are not only unpleasant but also prevent the owner of the car on the need to make a thorough inspection of the entire system. The reason for this sound can be as small trash, got brakes and brake cylinders breakage and wear of the brake pistons. Know it can only fully disassembled and cleaned the system.

Read more »