3 Signs Your Honda Needs Maintenance

Screeching Brakes

If you hear screeching noises when you hit the brakes, one or more of your brake pads have worn down. Brake pads have a rough covering, and they fit into the brake calipers. When you brake pressurized brake fluid is forced through the hoses to the calipers, and they close on the spinning rotors. The rough material covering generates friction against the rotors, forcing the wheels to a stop.

A healthy pad has a 1/2″ thick material covering, which slowly wears down over time. Once the covering drops to 1/4″ thickness, a metal spike buried inside the material becomes visible. This spike will scratch against the rotor, producing a screeching sound as a warning you need pad replacement. We’ll replace any damaged pads, and the noise will stop.

Rising Engine Temperature

Your engine has a highly efficient cooling system that speeds up or slows down as needed to maintain a safe operating temperature. Coolant is pumped through the engine, absorbing heat as it moves. The heat is transported to the radiator, where it’s removed by heat exchange. If your engine temperature increases for no apparent reason, something is wrong.

Causes of a steadily rising engine temperature include a damaged water pump, a jammed thermostat, a leak in the cooling system, and damage to the radiator. High temperatures will damage sensitive engine systems like seals, the head gasket, and others. This will cause serious engine damage, and the engine may require replacement. We’ll identify the problem and repair it.

Transmission Leak

A pool of red fluid underneath your vehicle is a sign you have a transmission leak. Transmission fluid moves through the transmission, cooling hot components and surrounding them with a friction-resistant coating. This is important, as many transmission components depend on friction to work effectively, and without protection, they’d suffer increased wear damage.

The most common leak site is a worn oil pan gasket. This gasket seals the oil pan at the bottom of the transmission where the fluid is stored. If you spot a leak, we advise you to contact us ASAP and not use your vehicle. Driving with a transmission leak could cause the transmission to seize, causing fatal damage. We’ll repair the leak and refill the fluid.

If you’d like to know more about the maintenance we provide or to book maintenance, contact us today at Honda of New Rochelle in New Rochelle, NY.

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