Brake Pads - An Important Part Of Safety

When your car's tires get worn out chances are you do not just replace them without giving the matter some thought. You will spend some time considering the options from the majot tire manufacturers. Therefore you will probably know the brand of tires on your car and perhaps will have bought them because of certain features that you like and which make your driving less stressful and more enjoyable.

There is a similar component that gets worn out just like the car tires do. Car tires get worn out making the car roll along and this component gets worn out by stopping the car's rolling each time you press down on the brake pedal. The cars brake pads are responsible for creating friction that slows down or stops your car. When you press down on the brake pedals the brake pads are pressed against the brake rotors. How hard they are pressed against the brake rotors depends on how hard you are pressing down on the brake pedal. And if you are pressing down hard on the brake pads then they will be creating a lot of friction. In doing so they will tend to heat up and their material should be such that even in hot conditions it should be able to generate friction, otherwise if it goes soft then you will get what is known as a brake fade.

As you can see brake pads perform an important and difficult function and that means that you must take care to buy quality brake pads. If the brake pads are not of great quality they will not generate as much friction, the amount of the friction they generate will reduce as they heat up and they might even produce gases which is not good for braking.

You should therefore choose your braking pads well and buy those made by an established manufacturer with a strong reputation for quality. You can choose them conveniently by going online or by visiting your local auto parts store.

Car Accidents - Common Causes

Car accidents have become a common  characteristic of American life, and indeed, those of  us who live in traffic congested cities have grown accustomed to the site of damaged vehicles stopping up traffic. The majority of these instances are the routine fender-bender,but as most of us realize, vehicular accidents are also often deadly. For many, one of our greatest fears is never seeing our loved ones again when they pick up the car keys and leave the house.

But by understanding what contributes to car accidents, both harmless and deadly, we can minimize the chances that we will ever be involved in one. There's always the chance of becoming a victim to another hapless driver, but awareness and adjusting your driving can significantly change the odds, in your favor.

Here are some common causes of car accidents to be aware of.

1. Speeding

Many car accidents are caused by speeding. While those new to driving might find going slow to be a drag and take some of the "fun" out of it, we must remember that a vehicle is a tool and a dangerous one at that. When we are driving faster, we are given less time to react when something goes wrong, like another driver entering our lane, an animal running into the road, or a sharp curve creeping up on us. When we are driving too fast, it also reduces our car's performance in several ways. For instance, we may lose control going around bends, and the distance we need to stop is much larger than when we are driving at slower speeds.

2. Distractions

Another common cause, especially with mobile technologies, is distraction. Most of us have heard of a small handful of people who have been killed while driving because they were talking on a cell phone or texting and distracted from noticing a danger in time to prevent an accident. Other distractions include trying to read something, reaching to grab something, paying attention to something off the roadway, talking to a passenger, or simply daydreaming.

When you're at the wheel, never forget the responsibility that is in your hands. Put all your energy and focus into the task at hand, and stay alert for any possible sudden changes in the environment that may pose a threat.

3. Careless Driving

Careless driving also causes a lot of accidents and, unfortunately, deaths. Especially younger drivers are known for showboating or just driving haphazardly, and in most cases, the simple reason is they don't take the dangers of driving seriously enough. Even older, more mature drivers "cut corners" in the sake of time or convenience by running stop signs, following too closely, or any other number of aggressive driving mistakes.

Nothing can be more sobering than a brief lapse in judgment ruining lives.

4. Drunk Driving

The most preventable cause of automobile accidents is drunk driving, a cause of death that crosses nearly every parent's mind when they first hand their teenager the car keys. We all know it is a problem and a very dangerous one, yet so many still do it.

Any time you've had a drink, you should refrain from driving, it is simple as that. Use taxis, designated drivers, and self-control. Anything else is a show of complete neglect for your own life and the lives of others.

5. Weather

Of course, weather is also a major factor in automobile accidents and in any of the cases above, it can make an accident much more likely to happen. Driving speeds and habit should always be adjusted in regards to the current road environment, so keep an eye on the weather and drive accordingly, it's the law, but it's also your life and the lives of others.

The simple truth is that most car accidents involve a variety of different contributing factors, and even if you do everything perfectly, someone else's mistake can quickly alter your life. For that reason, the best policy is and always has been defensive driving. Make it a point to always be aware of not only what you are doing but what those around you are doing, and always be prepared to give to a more aggressive driver.

There is life in your hands.

Free Shipping - A Myth

Are you drawn to online sellers who offer "free" shipping?  Before you fall into that age-old marketing trap, do some homework.

 Make note of the selling price of the product offering the free shipping promo and shop around for that same product being offered from a dealer that calculates shipping separately.   You'll find in most cases, the item offered by the seller providing the  free shipping is substantially higher in price than the same product offered with shipping calculated separately.

Obviously, those who offer "free shipping" build the cost of shipping into the price of the product.   I recently discovered a video on ebay promoting the practice of including the price of shipping within the product price and promoting it as "free shipping". 

Shipping charges are very expensive these days given the cost of fuel, packing materials and labor.   Shipping costs are calculated in part by the destination of the package, so it would be difficult to know exactly how much to mark an item up to cover postage going to different parts of the world.  Many sellers opt to calculate shipping to the furthest point and add that amount to the price of the product.   In a case like this, a person living 20 miles from the seller will pay the same shipping charge as the buyer living 2,000 miles away.   What's wrong with that picture?   

The moral of this story is "free" doesn't always mean free.  Shop around for the best price before selecting a seller to purchase from.

--Bruce Zubee

Zubee is Director of Online Marketing and Operations for Chuck and Eddie's and Mitchell's Auto Parts.  The opinions stated above are his own and don't necessarily reflect the opinions of Chuck and Eddie's or Mitchell's Auto Parts.

Save Save Save!

Clearly one of the big reasons to purchase used auto parts is to save money. And these days, saving money is job one!  Follow these simple tips to help you save even more.

Did you know that Chuck and Eddie's sends out money saving promotion codes every week to members of their email list?  That's right!  Folks who sign up for email notifications receive special offers and coupon codes worth up to 15% off their online purchases (and sometimes even more!).   It's easy to join the growing number of smart auto parts shoppers on our email notification list.  Just find the email sign up box located on the chuckandeddies.com homepage.  The sign up box can be found on the lower left of the page.  Enter your email address, press the submit button and you're on your way to some serious savings!

Another way to save some serious cabbage would be to purchase multiple items at the same time on the chuckandeddies.com website.   By grouping a number of parts into one order, your shipping fees will be combined into one, smaller amount.   Keep in mind that we can NOT combine shipping on ebay orders.  You must make your purchase on the chuckandeddies.com website .  ebay will charge a separate shipping amount for every item you purchase.

Stick with chuckandeddies.com for the best possible value on auto parts and work apparel.  We look forward you providing you with quality parts at the best price, backed by our world-class customer service.   We value our customers.

Do You Want Fries With That?

With over 150,000 parts in our inventory, it's impossible to store them all in our warehouses.   That's why many of our inventoried parts stay on the vehicle until sold.  This is a cost-saving measure which helps us to maintain our low prices. The only down-side to this practice is that it delays shipping by a day or so in some cases. 

Since the part you order may still be on the vehicle, you may be able to request hardware and associated components that we normally don't send along with the primary part.  If you need mounting hardware (nuts, bolts, etc), you can always request them and we'll do our best to send them along at no additional charge if we have them.  Simply enter a note in the comments box during the ordering process and we'll do our best to send you the additional components.   We only ask that you don't count on receiving them.  If the item you order has already been removed from the vehicle, we will not have the hardware that once attached the part to the vehicle. 

Something to keep in mind:  We do not inventory every part found on a vehicle.  If the item is not in our inventory, we can not offer it for sale.  Components like interior and exterior trim are not offered for sale.  Other things you won't find in our inventory include carpeting, sun visor clips, sensors, audio speakers, tires and various  small plastic parts. 

Even with the exclusions above, you'll find most of what you're looking for within our extensive inventory of used and new parts.   Our entire inventory is online and searchable on the chuckandeddies.com website, while not everything is listed on our ebay store.   If you've searched our website and can't seem to find what you need, we're just a toll-free phone call away!  

--Bruce Zubee

Bruce is Director of Online Marketing and Operations at Chuck and Eddie's Auto Parts

Used Auto Parts - Not For Everyone

Purchasing used auto parts to replace failed or failing parts in your vehicle can save you a ton of money, but there are distinct differences between used and new parts. 

Chuck and Eddie's has been in the business of suppliying used parts to customers throughout the world since the 1940's. During this time we've save thousands of people an unbelievable amount of money.  We've also upset some people in the process.

Those first-time purchasers of used parts sometimes have an unrealistic idea of what they will be receiving.  Over the years, we've found that many folks interpret "good condition" as "like new".  There's a big difference. 

As an example, a front seat from a 2000 Ford Explorer in "good condition", will still show signs of 13 years of use and wear.   That's unavoidable.   It will have plenty of usefulness left to it, but it's not going to look "brand new". 

The same holds true for mechanical parts.   Moving parts will begin to wear after a period of time.  They'll still work, but the signs of wear are usually noticeable.  

Let's face it folks.   You're buying USED PARTS at a FRACTION of the cost of new.   In most cases, you will get a good, part that will serve you well but it will not be perfect. 

Here at Chuck and Eddie's we offer a very liberal six month warranty on every used part we sell.  Experience has taught us that a used part might test well but there's always a chance it might not last.  Our warranty period was designed to protect our customers in these cases. 

Another mistake some folks make while attempting to save  money, is self installation.  We encourage self installation  for folks that have mechanical ability, but it's not for everyone.  We've received returned parts from customers claiming the part never worked but it's been obvious upon inspection that a non-mechanical person attempted to install the part and in the process, broke it.  

When replacing parts, used or new, let a professional handle the installation.  It'll cost you a few bucks but it will save you lots of headaches.

So if you're new to the idea of used parts for your vehicle, be realistic.  Know that you're purchasing parts that have been USED.  Know that even though the description of a part indicates "good condition" it is still  a USED PART. 

Let's face it.  If you're looking for the perfect part, save yourself the disappointment and buy new. Over the years we've learned that some people will NOT be satisfied with a used auto part.

--Bruce Zubee

Bruce is Director of Marketing and Operations for Chuck and Eddie's Online Division. 

How Vehicle Brakes Work

Inertia or momentum, as described by Newton’s Law of Motion, is the tendency of an object to remain in its current state and resist change. It is measured by an object’s mass when stationary, its mass and velocity when in motion. How do these laws of physics relate to the average commuter? It’s simple. Engineers use algebraic formulas relating to the Law of Motion to design braking systems that will arrest the forward momentum of a 4, 000 pound vehicle traveling at 88 feet per second. Therefore, you have a reasonable expectation that your car will stop when you step on the brake pedal.

Keep in mind, however, that brakes are a wearable item, meaning that certain components of the braking system will wear out before the rest of the car. These components are:

• Brake Rotors - Brake rotors are flat steel discs mounted vertically to the vehicle’s axel. They are approximately nine to ten inches in diameter and one inch thick on most domestic, passenger vehicles. Many rotors are designed with vanes sandwiched between two friction surfaces. This is to dissipate excess heat when the brakes are actuated. Each manufacturer publishes the minimum rotor thickness designed for a particular vehicle. When rotors wear to this minimum, they need to be replaced. Ask your service professional to measure the rotor thickness each time your brakes are inspected.

• Brake Pads - Brake pads consist of friction material on a steel backing plate. The pads are mounted to the stationary brake caliper. When the brakes are actuated, the stationary pads clamp both side of the spinning rotor. This causes friction which in turn produces thermal energy, or heat. The frictions of the pads on the spinning rotors cause the rotors to slow which in turn slow the vehicle’s wheels. This friction and heat cause microscopic particles to be lost on both pads and rotors each time the brakes are actuated. Pads should be replaced when 75% to 80% of the friction material is worn away.

• Brake Fluid - Brake fluid is a misnomer for hydraulic oil especially formulated to be used in certain types of hydraulic brake systems. Hydraulic brake components consist mostly of steel. Brake fluid is hygroscopic. This means that all water molecules have been removed in order to prevent internal corrosion of the brake parts. However, this causes brake fluid to attract moisture. Over time the brake fluid will become saturated with water. This is the primary reason to periodically replace the brake fluid. Check the owner’s manual for the replacement schedule or have your service professional check for moisture or rust scale in the fluid.

Your ability to commute safely day in and day out is literally riding on the condition of your car’s brakes. All highway systems and accompanying traffic laws are designed on the premise that vehicles can stop at certain points. Without this ability our roadways would be dangerously chaotic. Have your car’s brakes checked often. A good rule-of-thumb is to perform a visual brake inspection each time the tires are rotated, or every 5,000 miles.