Honda of Serramonte Blog

As with other types of fluids that go into vehicles, there are different types of brake fluids. Knowing the different types of brake fluids can help you make the right choice when it comes to buying the brake fluid.

In order to understand the different types of brake fluids available, it is important to know that there are two chief types of brake fluids. These two chief brake fluid types are glycol-based and silicon-based. The glycol based is for vehicles that have anti-lock braking features. 

The alternator in your car is doing all the work that you think the car battery has been doing. If the alternator fails, the features and systems you have come to depend on in your vehicle will no longer be working.

The alternator is charged by a belt that is attached to the engine, and spins as the engine is running. Te alternator should be checked by a service station often to ensure it is operating effectively. Without the alternator, you might be surprised how many features won't operate. 

Because of differences in rubber compound and the shape and depth of tread, all-weather and summer tires excel in different types of weather conditions. The stiffer rubber and shallower tread of summer tires leads to increased performance in warmer temperatures, and they can out-perform all-weather tires in wet conditions.

All-weather tires are generally found on passenger cars, SUVs, CUVs, and light trucks. Higher performance cars and luxury SUVs tend to have summer tires for increased performance during acceleration, braking, and cornering. 

Most vehicle owners want to keep the exterior of their cars in excellent condition. Aside from regular washing, waxing, and polishing, using a clay bar a few times per year can be beneficial for your vehicle. Read further to learn why!

Using a clay bar on your car will remove the dirt and remaining particles that regular washing leaves behind. Brake dust, insect residue, and other debris can be damaging because these particles bind to the paint and finish. 

It’s important to take good care of your vehicle if you want it to last a long time. Even if you don’t consider yourself as mechanically inclined, you should learn a few things about your vehicle. We at Honda of Serramonte can help you get to know your vehicle while also providing service and maintenance when needed. It’s important to have a good mechanic and one that you can trust. Here are some tips.

• Make sure the mechanic is certified.
• Make sure the mechanic has experience working on your make of vehicle.
• Check for referrals and recommendations…

The pressure in the car tires must be within a certain range to extend the life of the tread and avoid maneuvering issues on the highway. Keep in mind a few of these potential signs if the pressure falls out of the recommended range.

If the pressure falls below the recommended range, the tires tend to ride with more tread on the road. This under-inflated tire can wear the tread in outer areas and put the tire at risk of a blowout. That added friction makes it hard to steer your vehicle when driving at higher speeds. 

Transmission systems that are designed for cars generate a lot of heat when key mechanisms shift gears. If you want to protect your transmission, you can accomplish this task by seeking professional automotive maintenance services.

The weather and harsh environmental elements can harm transmission hardware. In order to protect and preserve the housing on key transmission components, you'll need to visit a professional shop for  inspections. When a seasoned crew implements transmission inspection procedures, many areas are checked, such as fluid lines and shifting components. 

Shifting into four-wheel-drive requires a unique mechanical device known as a transfer case. When that component breaks down, it must be repaired immediately if you want to avoid further damage to your vehicle. Here is a quick look at three signs that your transfer case might need to be serviced.

The first sign that you should keep an eye out for is a grinding noise whenever you shift into or out of four-wheel-drive. If the transfer case is badly damaged, then you might not be able to switch into four-wheel-drive at all. 

While you might know that your vehicle takes 10W-40 motor oil in the summer, do you really know what those numbers mean? Let's take a closer look at what oil viscosity rating are and how you can select the correct motor oil for your vehicle.

The viscosity is a measurement of how much of the motor oil resists flow. So in layman's terms, the speed in which the oil can be poured out of the bottle is the viscosity. The higher the viscosity, the slower the oil moves. The lower the viscosity, the faster it flows. 

Brake pedals wear out over time. They are one of the most heavily-used components in a car. Sometimes a brake pedal will feel soft or spongy. This could be from a variety of conditions.

The brake line could be losing brake fluid. Brake fluid is responsible for the hydraulic pressure. If the brake begins to lose its firmness, it might be losing pressure. Brake lines can crack and corrode over time. You might be able to see the leaking underneath the car. It’s a good idea to have it inspected as soon as possible.