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Archive for December 2020

Fuel System Cleaning at American Brake Centers Inc. in Louisville for Better Performance

Posted December 27, 2020 11:05 AM

A fuel injector is a valve that delivers fuel to a vehicle's engine. It has to deliver the precise amount of fuel to precisely the right place, precisely when the engine needs it. The fuel also has to be mixed with air before it can burn in the engine.

Fuel injectors are engineered to spray fuel in a specific pattern into the engine. (The pattern varies by engine type and design.) In order to achieve these spray patterns, the fuel must be pressurized.

The pressure in a fuel injection system varies depending on its type. Many gasoline engines use port injection systems, which operate with a pressure of 60 pounds per square inch. Newer direct injection systems operate at 10 to 30 times that pressure. Some diesel passenger vehicles have fuel injectors that operate at 30,000 pounds or more per square inch.

Vehicles have one fuel injector for each cylinder in the engine. Your vehicle's control computer constantly monitors the engine and various sensors in the vehicle.  It also adjusts the fuel injectors accordingly so that they can deliver the proper amount of fuel to the engine. As you can see, fuel injectors are a sophisticated and vital part of your vehicle's engine.

Because fuel injectors are such precision instruments, dirt and contaminants are a serious detriment to their performance. When an injector gets gummed up, it affects the pressure, pattern and timing of the fuel delivery. The result is a decrease in fuel economy and loss of engine performance.

So it's important to keep your fuel injectors clean. That starts with keeping the fuel in your tank clean. High-quality fuel contains detergents and additives that help clean your engine. Brand-name KY fuel companies also deliver a more consistent quality of fuel than do bargain stations in the Louisville area.

The second way to keep your injectors clean is to keep your fuel filter clean. This filter screens dirt and rust out of the fuel as it travels from the tank to the engine. If the filter clogs up, fuel will bypass it and carry its load of dirt into the engine.

Check your owner's manual or ask the pros at American Brake Centers Inc. in Louisville to find out how often you should change your fuel filter. This should be part of your regular preventive maintenance. Also, remember that if you use bargain-brand or low-grade fuels, or if you drive an older vehicle, your filter will need to be changed more often.

You can also purchase cleaners that will protect your fuel injectors. These cleaners are added to the fuel tank. They work best at preventing build-up in your fuel injectors and can clean up small amounts of carbon, gum and varnish. But they won't be able to clean a fully gummed-up injector. Read the labels before using any of these products for full directions on their use.

If your fuel injectors are gummed up, you can get a professional deep cleaning service at American Brake Centers Inc. in Louisville that will result in better fuel economy and improved vehicle performance.

Good vehicle care will prevent serious damage to your fuel injector system. And this is one system that you want to keep in perfect condition.

American Brake Centers Inc.
3435 Bashford Ave Ct.
Louisville, KY 40218
502-459-0355
http://www.americanbrakecenters.biz



American Brake Centers Inc. Tire Safety: Washington vs. Lincoln

Posted December 20, 2020 9:18 AM

 

Welcome to the American Brake Centers Inc. automotive blog. Today, let's talk about the effect of tire wear.

Let's focus on stopping in wet Louisville conditions. In order for a tire to have good contact with the road, it has to move the water out of the way. If it can't move the water, the tire will actually ride on top of a thin film of water.

That's called hydroplaning. If it's really bad, Louisville drivers can actually spin out of control - endangering themselves and the other drivers around them. At best, you won't stop as fast.

So how does a tire move water? It has channels for water to flow through. Look at your vehicle tire and you'll see channels: channels that run around the tire and channels that flow across the tire. They're designed to direct water away from the tire so it can contact the road better.

And the deeper the channel, the more water it can move. A brand new American Brake Centers Inc. tire has very deep channels and can easily move a lot of water. As the tire wears down, the channels become shallower and can move less water. When it wears down enough, it can seriously affect your ability to stop your vehicle on wet Louisville roads.

So that's why it's so important for Louisville drivers to replace their vehicle tires when they get worn. Consumer Reports and other advocate groups call for a standard of 3/32 of an inch and they have the studies to prove it.

At American Brake Centers Inc., we want our customers to know that the deeper recommended tread depth makes a big difference. Stopping distances are cut dramatically on wet Louisville streets. A safe stop from KY speeds with 4/32 of an inch of tread would result in a crash with worn out tires.

There's an easy way to tell when a tire's worn to 4/32 of an inch.

Just insert a quarter into the tread. Put it in upside down. If the tread doesn't cover George Washington's hairline, it's time to replace your vehicle tires. With a Canadian quarter, the tread should cover the numbers in the year stamp.

Many Louisville residents have heard of this technique using a penny and Abe Lincoln's head - the old method. That measure gives you 2/32 of an inch – half the suggested amount. Of course, vehicle tires are a major purchase. Most of us in Louisville want to get as many miles out of them as we can. But there's a real safety trade-off. It's your choice.

American Brake Centers Inc.
3435 Bashford Ave Ct.
Louisville, KY 40218
502-459-0355
http://www.americanbrakecenters.biz



Air Conditioning Maintenance at American Brake Centers Inc. in Louisville

Posted December 13, 2020 10:35 AM


Warm weather or cold, Louisville drivers still need to think about their vehicle's air conditioning. Most Louisville people don't service their air conditioning until after it fails. At American Brake Centers Inc., we can advise you on your vehicle manufacturers preventive maintenance schedules for air conditioning service, just as we do for transmission service, oil changes and so on.

Maintaining your air conditioning system means that you always have enough refrigerant to properly do the job. Small leaks in the vehicle's air conditioning system allow the refrigerant to escape and the system can't cool the air as well. We see that a lot at American Brake Centers Inc. in Louisville.

The refrigerant also contains oil that lubricates air conditioning components and keeps the seals resilient. Low refrigerant and lubricating oil means that the air conditioning parts will wear out prematurely, and all Louisville vehicle owners know that air conditioning repairs can be costly. At American Brake Centers Inc., we recommended that the air conditioner be run regularly, even during winter months, to keep the parts and seals lubricated.

Louisville drivers need to be aware that there's one more thing that isn't directly related to air conditioning service but does impact the quality of the air in your vehicle. And that's your cabin air filter. This filter cleans dust, pollen, pollution and other impurities in the air that come from the heater and air conditioner. The cabin air filter needs to be replaced when it's dirty. If you don't, it'll start to smell. Not all vehicles have one, so ask your American Brake Centers Inc. service advisor to check your cabin air filter at the same time they're doing your air conditioning service.

American Brake Centers Inc.
3435 Bashford Ave Ct.
Louisville, KY 40218
502-459-0355
http://www.americanbrakecenters.biz



Louisville Drivers Severe Service Maintenance Schedules

Posted December 6, 2020 8:13 AM

Since driving requirements and lifestyles differ among Louisville drivers, your vehicle manufacturer publishes two auto maintenance schedules: the regular schedule and the severe service schedule. Which schedule should Louisville drivers follow? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Are most of your trips less than four miles/six kilometers around Louisville?
Are most of your trips less than 10 miles/16 kilometers in below-zero KY temps?
Are most of your trips off-highway in KY?
Do you drive often in dusty Louisville areas?
Do you regularly tow a trailer or carry heavy loads around Louisville?
Do you drive in very hot or very cold KY weather?


Think about your typical week. Do you live by your nearest Louisville on-ramp and enjoy a non-stop commute? Or, do you drive the neighborhood car pool in stop-and-go traffic on Louisville surface streets?

Let's suppose your owner's manual says the severe service oil change recommendation is 3,000 miles/5,000 kilometers and the standard recommendation is 5,000 miles/8,000 kilometers. You know that you need to change the oil somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 miles/5,000 and 8,000 kilometers. Analyze your driving patterns and Louisville weather and road conditions to determine which end of the spectrum you're closer to.

Why should Louisville residents care about this? Normal condensation causes moisture accumulation in the engine oil. Short trips around Louisville or winter driving means that the engine doesn't heat up enough for the moisture to evaporate. The water in the oil turns to oil sludge that clogs up your engine and doesn't let the oil protect it adequately. That's why KY residents need to change their oil more often – to clean the sludge out before it causes problems.

Carrying heavy loads (with or without a trailer) in KY summer weather causes your engine and transmission to run at higher temperatures and with more stress. The fluids will break down more quickly. Additives that clean and prevent corrosion will be depleted sooner. Air pollution and dust cause fluids to get dirty faster. Ditto for filters. All of these things can lead to premature wear and eventual repairs. If you want some expert advice, talk with your friendly and knowledgeable American Brake Centers Inc. service advisor. We can help you restore your vehicle to good working order and help you know the best schedule to follow.

American Brake Centers Inc.
502-459-0355
3435 Bashford Ave Ct.
Louisville, KY 40218
http://www.americanbrakecenters.biz



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What Our Customers Are Saying

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This place is wonderful! I called them for help to check my brakes that had just been changed but still weren't working correctly and they were nice enough to squeeze me in right at opening when they had a full day scheduled and only took about 30 mins to get my issue fixed and had me on my way. I can't thank them enough for what they did! If I ever need anything else done, I'm glad I know a place I can trust. Thank you guys!

, 03/20/2024

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Great place I love this place

, 02/23/2024

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These guys were able to find my super hard to acquire rear caliper for my Passat. And able to get me in and out in a timely manner.

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Personable, explains what is going on and thorough.

, 01/10/2024

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Amazing customer service. Went here on a whim because it was close to my work. Everybody I interacted with was super friendly and made everything very easy.

, 12/13/2023

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Very satisfied, did major work on my truck in one day at reasonable price, definitely recommend.

, 12/09/2023

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