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What are Signs of Low Brake Fluid?

What are Signs of Low Brake Fluid?

If you're an automobile owner, it is important to know the signs of low brake fluid. Brake fluid is a hydraulic liquid that transmits force through brake lines when the brakes are pressed in order to stop your vehicle. Without proper levels of brake fluid, you can't expect your brakes to work correctly and safely. What are Signs of Low Brake Fluid? The most obvious sign is that your brakes will feel spongy or slow when you press down on them. This usually happens as a result of air entering the system due to leaking fluid. Additionally, you may hear a squealing noise when you apply your brakes. If your vehicle's brakes are making this noise, it could indicate that your brake fluid levels are low. Also, if you notice that your vehicle is taking longer to come to a complete stop than it usually does, this could be another indication of low brake fluid. Function of Brake Fluid Brake fluid helps your brakes work more effectively and efficiently. It is crucial that you chec ... read more

3 Must-Checks for Your Holiday Trip Inspection

3 Must-Checks for Your Holiday Trip Inspection

Whether you're planning to visit family and friends or go on a winter vacation to escape, you’re most likely going to need your car. At Tri Star Automotive, we can make sure your car, SUV, or truck is safe and ready to handle whatever road conditions. The last thing we want is for your fun to be ruined by an inconvenient breakdown. Below are the top 3 items that you must check before your holiday road trip: #1: FLUIDS All vehicles contain many fluids, including motor oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, windshield wiper solvent, coolant, and more. You should check that these are filled at a proper level and free of contaminants for the best performance. If you want to be on the safe side, it wouldn’t hurt for you to bring along extra fluids too. #2: BELTS & HOSES A simple inspection of your vehicle’s important belts and hoses, especially the timing belt and serpentine belt, can make a world of difference in saving you time and money ... read more

Signs Your Serpentine Belt is Failing

Signs Your Serpentine Belt is Failing

The serpentine belt, also known as the drive belt, is a vital part of the accessory drive belt system. This system consists of the drive belt, idler, accessory pulleys, and tensioner. The inside of the serpentine belt has ribs or grooves for better grip but is usually smooth on the outside. The drive belt wraps around idler pulleys that maintain its snake-line configuration, and around accessory pulleys of the belt-driven components, it helps to power. These include the alternator, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, cooling system water pump and air pump. Signs of a Failing Serpentine Belt Squealing or Squeaking Noise A squealing noise from the front of your vehicle is normally a sign of a failing serpentine belt. The noise is caused by slippage or misalignment of the drive belt. If the belt breaks completely, it will cause a flapping or flopping sound. Loss of Air Conditioning or Power Steering If your drive belt malfunctions, it wi ... read more

Signs That Indicate You Need Muffler Repair

Signs That Indicate You Need Muffler Repair

We’ve all been disrupted by a loud car, SUV, or truck at a stop sign or red light before. The vehicle erupts in loud popping noises as it pulls away and accelerates. Most people tend to shrug it off until it is happening to their car. In this blog, we will go over how to spot the signs of a faulty muffler.    As its name suggests, mufflers are responsible for dampening engine sounds. They are made up of a series of tubes, chambers, and baffles to keep noise pollution to a minimum. Most are made to silence your engine sounds, with a few known to make growling sounds. The muffler is a component in the exhaust system and plays a part in expelling engine exhaust out of your car.   Here are some of the top signs that indicate you need muffler repair: Loud Noises The whole point of a muffler is to dampen your engine sounds. When your muffler is damaged or compromised, excess noise is the first indicator. It will sound like nothing you’ve heard. If you hear hi ... read more

Safe Driving Tips for the School Season

Safe Driving Tips for the School Season

We're making our way to that time of the year again. You might start spotting big yellow school buses and children with backpacks on the road again soon. With the back-to-school season right ahead, we thought it would be helpful to share some key safety tips for drivers. As driving citizens, we have a responsibility to keep our community safer. Below are some useful tips to follow when driving around school zones and bus stops: Always Slow Down in School Zones School zones are marked territories around schools, campuses, and playgrounds. They are usually indicated with signs and marked lines. You may recall some of that info in driver’s ed. Some school zones have signs indicating a new reduced speed limit when flashing. They typically come on during rush hour. As with any other sign, you should slow down accordingly to protect yourself and the safety of others. Be Prepared for Heavy Traffic With most people going back to work and now kids going to school, traffic might lo ... read more