Interesting Facts about Brakes!

One of the most crucial aspects of vehicle ownership is to make sure your vehicle has properly working brakes. Unfortunately, many drivers don't realize the importance of regular brake service until they find themselves sliding through a stop sign or rear-ending the vehicle in front of them!

To ensure that your brakes will come to a precise and complete stop every time you step on the pedal, schedule a brake service at least once a year. Don't be caught unaware with failing brakes.

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Here are a few interesting facts about the history and story of brakes:

• The 1920 Duesenberg, an American luxury car with a "straight eight" engine, was the first production car with hydraulic brakes (using pipes and fluid rather than cables). In 1924, Chrysler brought the now universal feature to mass-produced cars.

• The legendary Dunlop-developed disc brakes that helped Jaguar win the Le Mans 24-Hour race in 1953 were then referred to as "plate brakes."

• The 1967 Porsche 911S was the first production car to feature ventilated disc brake rotors. Now common, these rotors have cooling channels running between the two friction surfaces to give better cooling and therefore better resistance to brake fade during heavy applications.

• The most advanced brakes are found among Formula One racing vehicles.

• Under extreme conditions, the operating temperatures of modern braking components can average nearly 350°C, requiring that they need exceptional wear resistance, heat resistance and stopping capabilities.

• Harmful agents such as asbestos, lead and cadmium have been removed from modern brake pads. Today's pads contain mixtures of fibers, fillers, lubricants and a binder resin.

• The mass of disc brake rotors has increased over recent years to improve noise suppression, smoothness and stopping performance.

• Once considered one of the simplest parts of a car to manufacture, today's disc brakes are high-tech electronically monitored systems. Because the slightest shudder can confuse the car's anti-lock braking system, tolerances need to be extraordinarily tight.

Looking for a quality brake service? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com for more information. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN

Vehicle Maintenance Is Your Vehicle Safe to Drive?

As school started a few months ago, five crucial driving rules for the safety of your teenage driver were discussed. There is another important step to make sure your teen is safe behind the wheel. Because an inexperienced teen driver may not recognize signs of car maintenance issues, it is vital that all recommended vehicle maintenance be performed at the appropriate intervals.

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Basic vehicle maintenance includes the following items:

• Keep spark plugs and wires clean.  Dirty and corroded spark plugs decrease vehicle performance and fuel mileage.

• Tighten all caps (fuel tank, radiator, brake and transmission fluids). To keep water and debris out of the fuel, or other fluids, make sure all caps are tight and seals are in good condition.

• Clean cloudy and dirty headlights. You want to see and be seen on dark cloudy days.

• Check the Tires. Properly inflated tires wear more evenly and increase gas mileage. Check the inflation pressure frequently as changes in temperature can make it fluctuate. Rotate tires on a regular basis to prevent premature tread wear.

• Clean the Car. Teach your teen driver to keep the car clean (both exterior and interior), wash floor mats, windows, interior lights, and dash board. They will learn to appreciate it as they get older.

• Change the air filter. Have it checked and changed as necessary to keep the circulating air clean.

• Check fluid levels. Have the level of all critical fluids checked frequently and top-off as needed.

• Replace wiper blades. Replace wiper blades about every six months. Make sure the washer fluid reservoir is filled and clean.

• Regular oil changes. This is key for a longer lasting car.

A parent or guardian is the number one influence in molding a teen driver into a safe and capable driver. Act as a role model for safe driving practices, and teach your young driver about good car maintenance.

Need affordable and quality vehicle maintenance? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com for more information about our car maintenance and other services. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.

Oil Changes Don’t Forget to Recycle!

Most drivers are aware that the recommended oil change should take place about every 3,000 miles or about every three months. Vehicle owners know that a relatively small investment of regular oil changes will pay big dividends! Here are some of those dividends:

• Improves engine performance

• Decreases the buildup of dirt and debris

• Increases MPG

• Reduces harmful emissions

• Extends engine life

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If you take care of your own oil changes, please remember to recycle responsibly. Your auto shop can help you know how and where to recycle used motor oil and filters. Here are a few facts to know about used motor oil:

• Used motor oil can contain toxic substances such as benzene, lead, zinc, and cadmium.

• The oil from a single oil change (1 gallon) can ruin the taste of a million gallons of drinking water (1 part per million), the supply of 50 people for one year.

• One pint of oil can produce a slick of approximately one acre on the surface of water, preventing the replenishment of dissolved oxygen, impairing photosynthetic processes, and block sunlight.

• Crankcase oil accounts for more than 40 percent of total oil pollution of the nation's harbors and waterways.

• Oil dumped on land reduces soil productivity.

• Concentrations of 50 to 100 parts per million (ppm) of used oil can foul sewage treatment processes.

• In the U.S., less than 60 percent of used oil is recycled.

• Recycling all the filters sold annually in the United States would result in the recovery of about 160,000 tons of steel, or enough steel to make 16 new stadiums the size of Atlanta's Turner Stadium.

As part of routine maintenance, regular oil changes are a great investment in your vehicle, saving time and money spent on auto repairs and the inconvenience of unexpected breakdowns. Also, by responsibly recycling your used motor oil and filter, you can help keep our environment clean!

Is it time for an oil change? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com for more information and to find our oil change coupons. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.