Have you been suspecting that your brakes might be on the verge of failure? If so, you don't want to put it off. Check our list of ways you can tell when it is time to have your brakes inspected!

•  Shaking- Have you ever felt your vehicle shaking? This could happen for a variety of reasons, but if it happens mainly when you come to a stop, you may have a brake issue on your hands.
•  Noises- Screeching, grinding or metal on metal sounds shouldn't be music to your ears. In fact, it is often a sign of…

The engine oil has been one of the most bought items in the automobile industry. Most car users have never understood why they need to keep on adding these fuels. In a real sense, you will add these oils to reduce friction and overheating. However, there are so many myths associated with these oils.

Myth: Using different oil brands can be harmful to my engine
Switching several brands is not harmful to your car engine provided that you decide to choose an oil that is marked with an API donut. 

Drivers who don't often take their cars out may be able to get by without changing their engine oil for quite some time. After all, these services are generally recommended once every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. However, at MINI of Charleston, we're sharing information that proves that this isn't always true.

Stop-And-Go Driving Takes Its Toll

In reality, how far you drive is only one small part of the equation. Even if you rarely use your vehicle, the way that you're using it could be problematic. 

Tires that are either over-filled or under-filled place drivers at risk. Not only do these problems lead to far more rapid tire wear, but they also have a significant impact on both handling and fuel economy. At MINI of Charleston, one of our top priorities is helping motorists learn just how important this aspect of tire maintenance is.

You May Be Spending More To Travel The Same Distance

If fuel economy is important to you, then making sure that your tires have the right air pressure should be a top priority. 

Car batteries don't do well in extreme temperatures for long periods. Most people think it's just winter that kills batteries, but summer can be equally stressful to a car battery. Our MINI of Charleston service department techs gave us the following brief rundown.

Car Batteries in Summertime

Car batteries create electricity through reactions between lead, lead dioxide and sulfuric acid, an electrolyte. Car battery electrolytes both conducts and stores electricity for future use. Summertime heat does several things to a car battery. 

 

A crucial step you need to take to ensure that your car is in optimal operating condition is to regularly and thoroughly clean the engine. You start the cleaning process by making certain that your engine is cool.

The next step is to scrub the elements of your car’s engine using a synthetic, not metallic, brush. A metallic brush potentially can permanently harm elements of your engine. Once the scrubbing step is completed, rinse the debris from the engine. You can use a sprayer at a carwash or your hose at home

Routine care can become less than routine during the winter. Below-zero weather and heavy snowfalls make it tough to bring a two-wheel-drive, or any vehicle, to a service station. Hopefully, the coolant isn't past due for a change, as a car could get totaled if the antifreeze isn't effective. Once winter passes, realize spring becomes an opportunity to get many care steps done.

Fluid changes, tire checks, and brake inspections represent common care steps people take routine throughout the year. 

MINI of Charleston wants to make sure that you are your family are safe when you embark on a ride in your new automobile. If you have kids, it's important that you invest in safety seats for them. You'll want to make sure that you pick something out that is appropriate for their age bracket. Always update their seats and they get older. Here are some tips when installing child safety seats.

• Use the installation manual that came included with the seat. Follow it step by step.
• Don't discard the manual when you're done. 

Your vehicle's exhaust system is a vital component. If it is not working properly, your car or truck can have a number of problems. Here are some of the possible signs that your exhaust system might be leaking.

Reduced gas mileage
If your vehicle seems to be getting lower gas mileage when you are driving around in Charleston, and you can't find any other cause, it could be due to a leak in your exhaust system.

Noises
Another sign that your car could have an exhaust leak is hissing or popping noises while your engine is running.

 

Whether your brakes are hydraulic, electromagnetic, frictional, pumping, servo, disc, drum, emergency or anti-lock, they need to be in opportune working condition at all times. Your brake system is much more than a pedal: it is an intricate system of interwoven parts that make it possible to stop on demand.

City driving, with its many starts and stops, take a toll on brake pads and may require that they be replaced more frequently than the manufacturer's recommendations. Brake fluid with the proper viscosity is also essential in keeping brakes in tip-top shape.