5 Ways to Tell When Your Car Needs a Brake Repair

November 19, 2021 · 3 min read

When your vehicle needs a brake repair, then you're in an emergency situation. Faulty brakes can cause serious motor accidents, so get to your Fredericksburg, TX dealer straight away. The technicians will take a look at your brakes and repair them promptly.

Photo by: Steady Content

5 Ways to Tell When Your Car Needs Brake Repair From Your Fredericksburg, TX Dealer

1. Your Brakes Feel Strange

If your brakes feel any different than normal, then you know something is going on. Usually, you'll notice that your brakes feel soft and squishy. It may feel like you're stepping on a sponge. This issue is often accompanied by a drop in brake responsiveness, so get to a dealership as soon as you can. Your brakes may stop working completely when you have this problem.

2. A Metallic Screeching Noise Occurs

Many brake pads have indicators built into them. They indicate when you need a brake pad replacement. The pads wear down, and some metal is uncovered. The metal starts scraping against a metal rotor, and you'll hear it when you're driving. Get to the dealer as soon as you can if you hear the metallic screeching sound. This isn't a serious issue, but it's a part of regular maintenance that you want to stay on top of.

3. Grinding, Ticking, and Shrieking Noises

Noises aren't always indications that you need to replace your brake pads. Sometimes a strange noise can indicate some more serious trouble. If you hear a grinding, ticking, or shrieking noise when you hit the brake pedal, then you know your brakes are in trouble. You need a brake service and repair as soon as possible.

4. Your Vehicle Starts Wobbling

When your vehicle starts wobbling, then it's indicating that your rotor is uneven. This can be incredibly dangerous, especially in traffic or on narrow roads. You can't afford to have your vehicle wobble far enough to cause a collision.

There are other signs that your rotor is uneven, too. The tamest sign is that your steering when will vibrate when you brake. In some cases, the steering wheel may pull to one side. This can lead to your whole vehicle pulling to the side, too, so be careful. Get a repair as soon as you can, as this problem can get worse quickly.

5. You Smell Something Burning

A burning odor usually indicates that something is overheating. If you've been using your brakes a lot in a short amount of time, then you know that it's your brakes. Pull over and turn off your vehicle. Leave your vehicle off for a while. It usually takes around 30 minutes for your car to cool down. Once it's cool, then you can drive away and head straight to the dealer.

Your brake system overheating doesn't usually cause serious damage. However, it can cause minor damage at times, so you should get a brake service to rule out any potential damage. Always be safe.
If you need your brakes repaired, then visit Crenwelge Motor Sales. We'll make your vehicle road-ready and safe again. You can rely on us for your repairs.

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Oct 11, 2019 in 2019 Chrysler Pacifica

Why Your Family Will Love the Chrysler Pacifica

The Chrysler Pacifica is a family-friendly, tech and convenience packed minivan. It has seating for up to seven passengers, a large cargo area, and a full suite of available safety features. Here are some reasons your family will love the Chrysler Pacifica. Entertainment Technology The Pacifica comes with the Uconnect infotainment system with easy to use controls and smartphone integration. The Premium Audio package gets you an 8.4-inch touch screen, a 13-speaker stereo system, and extra USB ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and depending on the trim, you'll get voice controls and 4G LTE Wi-Fi. Satellite radio, a power liftgate, and an extra charge-only USB port are also available. more Storage Space Chrysler's Stow 'n Go system is unique to the Pacifica. This system enables the second-row seats to fold down into the floor, which creates a flat cargo area. When the seats are up, there's extra storage space in the floor so you can keep items out of the way until you need them. Safety Features All Pacifica models come standard with a rearview camera, and if you add the Advanced SafetyTec Group, it comes with several driver aids. This package includes automatic high beams, front parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning with an automatic emergency braking system, a top-down parking camera, and lane departure warning. You can also get an automated parking system. There's a lot to love about the Chrysler Pacifica. From the tech to the safety and the spacious cabin, there's something for everyone in the family. Image via Chrysler.com

Dec 02, 2019 in 2020 Chrysler Voyager

3 Reasons the 2020 Voyager is the Ideal Family Vehicle

Have your children outgrown sharing the back seat without an issue? Check out the 2020 Chrysler Voyager, the ideal minivan for any family. Don't back out on the carpool for lack of space. Bring everybody to their next practice or game with ease and have fun. Pack up your family and take off on a much-needed vacation from your daily routine. more Entertainment Keeping everyone happy in the van is important, whether you are going across town or out of state. The 2020 Chrysler Voyager LX solves the boredom problem. Find your favorite station on SiriusXM or use the Bluetooth connection to let them access favorite apps. The integrated voice controls mean you can adjust things for your passengers without taking your eyes off the road. If you are planning a longer trip, ask about the available DVD player. When you add the DVD player to the vehicle, it does not take up extra space. Instead, the movies play through an integrated player with the screen opening from the ceiling. Let your kids pack their favorite movies and listen to them laugh as the miles of highway pass. The van's built-in active noise cancellation feature means that they will not have to turn the movie up loud as the sounds from the outside stay outside. Space Everyone has plenty of space in both Voyager trims. If you choose the L trim, the second- and third-row seats are bench seats. The LX features second-row bucket seats that allow your passengers to recline and rest during your journey. If you don't need all seven seats, fold the third-row bench seat into the floor and make sure you pack all of the essentials and fun gear for your trip. If any of your equipment needs to charge on the road, there is a 12-volt DC connection in the cargo area. For additional storage, consider adding the available second-row storage bins. These bins fit in the floor between the first- and second-row seats. They are a good place for secure storage of sensitive items such as purses and jackets when you arrive at your destination or during a long rest break. Safety Keeping everyone safe on the road is a priority no matter how long you are in the van. Chrysler gives you an array of available safety options to ease your mind. Add the available blind-spot monitoring system for an extra set of eyes on a busy highway. It alerts you through audio and visual cues if someone is in your blind spot before you attempt a lane change. The available cross-traffic alert warns you if someone or something is approaching the van before you pull out of your parking spot. There are also airbags throughout the vehicle to protect you if something happens. Are you daydreaming of your next quiet ride or already looking at ideas for your next vacation? Bring the family with you as you visit Crenwelge Motor Sales. Our friendly staff looks forward to getting you into your new Chrysler Voyager today. Image via Chrysler.com

car battery replacement in fredericksburg texas

Jan 14, 2024 in Crenwelge Motor Sales Inc Service

Signs You Need a New Car Battery From Your Jeep Dealer

Most drivers don't think about their car battery until it develops a problem or fails to start the engine. Fortunately, a failing battery almost always shows signs that something is wrong. As your Jeep dealer, we'd like you to know a few signs that you may need to visit us for a new car battery. Photo by: StockSnap via pixabay.com more Corroded Battery Terminals The positive and negative terminals on the top of your battery are the battery's connection points to the electrical system. Corrosion on the terminals disrupts the flow of electricity into and out of the battery, forming a physical barrier that electricity can't pass through. The corrosion is caused by the battery as the chemicals inside it slowly break down due to age. Sulfuric acid inside the battery plays an essential role in allowing the battery to store and supply electricity. When sulfuric acid breaks down, it releases hydrogen. Hydrogen molecules escape the battery casing and join with sulfur molecules in the engine to form hydrogen sulfide. This new chemical forms the acidic salt that causes corrosion. If your battery is corroding, it's already started to fail. We'll replace your battery to solve this issue. The Engine Starts And Dies The battery powers the starter, and the starter cranks your engine. The cranking action draws fuel and air into the intake manifold to start the combustion process. Once combustion begins, your engine operates under its own power and continues to do so until you switch the engine off. If your engine starts and then dies before combustion begins, there's a problem. One of the causes of an engine suddenly dying is a lack of battery power. A weakening battery may not have enough power to sustain the cranking process until combustion takes over to keep the engine running. The weak battery could be due to age, damage, or low recharging rates. Our technicians will need to investigate to fix this issue. Weak Alternator The alternator produces electricity, which is then supplied to all your car's systems and devices. Alternators are vert robust, but will eventually show signs of aging as parts wear out and fail. If your alternator is eight years old or more, it could start to weaken. If this happens, the level of electricity produced will drop, electrical issues will develop, and your battery's recharging will be affected. A weak alternator can't fully recharge the battery, which will then also weaken. The battery warning light on your dash will illuminate to warn that something is wrong. We'll test your alternator to confirm it's the source of the problem, then we'll install a new one. Don't let a weakening battery ruin your day. Visit our service department at Crenwelge CDJR Fredericksburg in Fredericksburg, TX.