Month: March 2022

Tips to Identify Brake Fluid Leaks in Your Nissan

When you take your Nissan out for a drive, you rely on its superior braking capabilities to keep you safe, which means that a brake fluid leak can have serious consequences. While such leaks may be rare, they can still occur, especially if your Nissan has been on the road for several years.

If you want to ensure you and your passengers reach your destinations safely, you need to be able to identify and fix brake fluid leaks as soon as they pop up. Here are some tips and tricks to help you with this important task.

Common Causes of Brake Fluid Leaks

Overall, the best way to deal with brake fluid leaks is by preventing them in the first place. Fortunately, this can usually be accomplished through routine maintenance.

• Worn Brakes: For example, one of the top causes of brake fluid leaks is worn out brake components. Over time, your vehicle’s brake pads, rotors, shoes, and drums can wear out, causing the caliper piston or wheel cylinder to overextend. This can rupture your vehicle’s brake lines, allowing brake fluid to leak out. Therefore, if you want to prevent brake fluid leaks, you should have your Nissan’s brake components changed and repaired at the recommended intervals in your vehicle’s maintenance schedule.
• Damaged Brake Lines: Similarly, another common cause of brake fluid leaks can also be prevented by routine maintenance: damaged brake lines. While brake lines tend to be fairly sturdy, they are not invincible, and over time they may rust or tear. Again, if this happens, it may allow significant amounts of brake fluid to leak out. However, if you regularly bring your vehicle to a mechanic for routine maintenance, they will be able to identify brake line corrosion before it leads to a brake fluid leak.
• Cracks in the System: In addition to failed brake components and malfunctioning brake lines, a third common cause of brake fluid leaks is cracks in the master cylinder reservoir. This plastic container holds your vehicle’s braking fluid when the liquid isn’t being circulated through the system, and its place near your vehicle’s engine means that it is frequently exposed to extreme pressures and temperatures.

These stressors may eventually cause the reservoir to crack, allowing brake fluid to trickle out. Although this cause of brake fluid leaks is somewhat more difficult to prevent than the first two, it can still be diagnosed and addressed through routine maintenance.

Identifying Brake Fluid Leaks

Taking proactive measures is a great way to minimize the chance of your Nissan developing a brake fluid leak, but unfortunately, those measures may not always be enough. If, despite your best efforts, your vehicle develops a brake fluid leak, then your first step should be to diagnose the problem.

• Check Where You Parked: One of the best ways to do this is by looking for brake fluid puddles in your garage, driveway, and other regular parking spots. Brake fluid is typically colorless and has the consistency of vegetable oil, and if you notice it in places where you regularly park, then there is a strong chance that your vehicle has sprung a brake fluid leak.
• Braking Becomes Difficult: Additionally, difficulties with braking can also signify that your Nissan is leaking brake fluid. If the braking system does not contain enough fluid, it will likely become depressurized, which means that your vehicle will take much longer to stop.

Furthermore, you may find that you need to press your vehicle’s brake pedal all the way to the floor before you notice any results. Both of these conditions merit an immediate examination of your vehicle by a mechanic, as they will make it difficult for you to brake quickly in dangerous situations.

We’re Here to Help

Not only is a brake fluid leak an irritating problem to solve, but it can also lead to severe consequences if not addressed properly. If you suspect that your Nissan has sprung a brake fluid leak, don’t wait. Bring your vehicle to Euro Plus Automotive. For over 30 years, our trusted technicians have provided auto repairs and maintenance to customers in Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, and San Fernando Valley, CA.

We are the top auto repair shop for German and Japanese vehicles in Los Angeles County, so give us a call today or stop by in person to find out what we can do for you.

The Best Repair Shop in Canoga Park to Fix Cracked Alloy Wheels Due to Flat Tires in a BMW

A particular issue that BMW owners tend to encounter is cracked alloy wheels, especially when it comes to flat tires. This occurs because, while aesthetically pleasing, alloy wheels are not as durable as other kinds of wheels and have a tendency to crack under pressure. Luckily, there are some things that can be done to fix the problem when it occurs and some tips to make it less likely to happen in the first place.

Solutions for Cracked Alloy Wheels

First, a few definitions to clear up any confusion. As you may know, there is a difference between tires and wheels. Though many people use the terms interchangeably, in technical terms, a car’s wheels are the metal hubs that are permanently affixed to the car’s axle. The word tires, by contrast, refers to the rubber coverings that surround the wheels. The tires are what actually touch the ground and gain traction that allows the vehicle to move forward.

Wheels come in all sorts of colors and sizes, from 16 inch shiny alloys with spokes to 19 inches in black matte. Some people prefer larger alloy wheels that fill the wheel well and are more aesthetically pleasing. It’s a matter of opinion and a great way to customize your car.

How Cracks Happen in Alloys

With the amount of pressure a car’s wheels are under all the time, it’s unsurprising that cracks happen. Alloy wheels in particular, because of their lightweight nature, crack easily. They’re very good to look at and their weight allows for more control over acceleration and stopping, but the drawback is the fragility.

When the wheels crack, it’s usually because of something that is difficult to avoid. As much as you might try to get out of the way of obvious dangers like potholes, curbs, or large bumps, sometimes these dangers may be hidden or hard to suss out and you will likely end up running into a few here and there.

If You Suspect Damage to Your Alloys

When damage occurs, the only thing to do is to take the vehicle to a trusted and knowledgeable BMW mechanic. They will be able to determine the severity of the damage and whether the wheel needs to be replaced or simply repaired. This will depend largely on the type of damage.

If the crack in the alloy wheel is relatively small and not too deep, it can probably be repaired pretty quickly by an experienced technician. However, deeper gouges will require the wheel to be replaced. In the long run, even with thinner cracks, replacing the wheel may be more cost effective than repairing it, as once the wheel has a crack, even one that has been patched, it is weaker and more likely to crack again in the future.

How to Get Help With Your BMW’s Cracked Alloy Wheels

After all this discussion of how fragile alloy wheels are, you might be wondering why anyone wants alloy wheels to begin with, but one of the main advantages is that they are lighter weight, allowing for greater responsiveness to acceleration and braking. They are also affordable and come in a much wider array of styles than sturdier wheels, making them an attractive option for those who care about the aesthetics of their vehicles and are looking to customize their car.

For many people, those advantages outweigh the drawbacks. If that’s the case for you, then you simply need to keep in mind how you’re driving and be careful not to hit too many bumps. Additionally, avoiding larger wheels can help, as that means the tire will be taking more of the impact than the wheel itself.

Euro Plus Automotive for Your Alloy Wheels

If you do find yourself with a cracked wheel, however, the experienced mechanics at Euro Plus Automotive would be delighted to find a fix. We are located in Canoga Park, California and are happy to provide services to clients all over Los Angeles County, including Woodland Hills and San Fernando Valley.

If you’d like to set up an appointment or learn more about the services we offer, feel free to give us a call or stop by our shop for information. We’d be happy to answer your questions and provide you with the services you need!