5 Signs You Need Brake Repair

AMPM Automotive • February 5, 2020

Check Your Brakes Before They Fail you

Brake maintenance shouldn’t be put off. If your car is giving you these signals, it’s time to have your brakes checked before they need major brake repair .

Brake Light On

Most late-model cars have indicator lights when something is wrong with the brakes. If the brake light comes on, check to make sure the parking brake is fully released. If that isn’t the problem, have your brakes inspected.

Grinding or Squealing Noises

When the brake pads start to wear down and contact the rotors, you will hear squealing or grinding noises when you’re driving. It’s time to replace the pads before they cause damage to the rotors. If you hear noises when you hit the brakes, it probably means you’ve gone too long without brake service.

Soft Brake Pedal

If you’re feeling less resistance in the brake pedal or you have to press to the pedal to the floor mat, it’s a sign there is a problem in the brakes. Don’t wait to get service. It could merely be moisture in the system, a lack of fluid, or something more serious.

Chemical Odors While Driving

A sharp burning smell while driving, especially when you are repeatedly braking, could mean that your clutch or brakes are overheated. This occurs on steep roads. Find a safe place to stop and let the brakes cool. You don’t want the brake fluid to get so hot that it boils, because it will cause brake failure.

Car Handling Differently

When the rotors wear unevenly, you may feel a vibration in the steering wheel as you apply the brakes. If the car pulls to one side when you brake, it could mean that one of the brake hoses has gone bad. When the brakes aren’t operating correctly, it will affect your driving.

Don’t Delay Brake Service

Your brakes will wear out over time. Most brake pads last about 50,000 miles, but it depends on how you drive and brake and the quality of the pads. Let a mechanic diagnose brake problems to keep your car safe. Have your brakes inspected every six months to keep up with problems.

Contact AMPM Automotive for brake repair on your car. Schedule your appointment online or stop by our Rockville MD location.

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If you're buying a used vehicle, bringing one into Maryland, or transferring a title, you're going to need a Maryland state safety inspection before the MVA lets you register it. At AMPM Automotive in Rockville, we're a certified inspection station. We inspect passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks under 10,000 lbs, and non-commercial trailers. Here’s what to know before you schedule. 🗓️ When Do You Need a Maryland Inspection You need a safety inspection if: - You're buying a used vehicle from a private party - You're moving into Maryland with an out-of-state vehicle - You're transferring ownership outside your immediate family - You're re-registering a vehicle that's been sitting a while The MVA won't issue plates without a valid inspection certificate 🚙 What Vehicles We Inspect We inspect: - Passenger cars - SUVs and light-duty trucks under 10,000 lbs - Trailers under 20 feet without air brakes We do not inspect motorcycles, commercial trucks, or trailers with air brakes 🔍 What’s Included in the Inspection Maryland inspections are detailed. Here's what we check ✅ Main Areas We Inspect 🛑 Brakes Pads, rotors, parking brake, hoses, master cylinder ⚙️ Steering and Suspension Ball joints, tie rods, control arms, shocks, bushings 🛞 Tires and Wheels Tread depth, damage, sizing, lug nut condition 💡 Lights and Electrical Headlights, brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights, tag lights, hazard lights, horn 🪟 Windshield and Wipers Visibility, cracks, wiper blades, washer spray 🪞 Mirrors Both side mirrors and the rearview mirror 🔩 Exhaust Leaks, mounts, muffler condition 🚗 Frame and Underside Rust-through, fuel tank mounts, body damage 🪑 Interior Safety Items Seatbelts, horn, odometer, speedometer, door latches, dashboard lights 🚛 Trailer Inspections Tires, lighting, hitch, frame, brakes if equipped 🕶️ Maryland Tint Laws for Inspection We use a meter to check tint on your windows. If it's too dark, the car will fail Legal Tint Limits in Maryland: - Front windows must let in at least 35 percent of light - Rear windows can be darker if both side mirrors are present - Windshield tint is only allowed on the top strip above the AS1 line - Not allowed: mirrored or colored tint like red or amber We can check the tint before starting the full inspection if needed ❌ What If the Vehicle Fails You’ll get a digital inspection report by email showing exactly what failed and why Then you have: - 30 days or 1000 miles - To make the repairs - And bring it back to us for a recheck We only recheck the failed items. If it's something small like a bulb or wiper, we can usually fix it on the spot 💵 How Much It Costs - Most passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs: $135 flat - Trailers: depends on brake setup and axles - Reinspection: no charge for visual checks. If we need to lift the vehicle or use tools, we charge time only Labor rate is $160 per hour using state-regulated inspection time guides ⏱️ How Long It Takes - Cars and SUVs: usually 1.5 to 2 hours - Small trailers: 30 to 60 minutes - Trailers with brakes: up to 90 minutes Drop it off or wait—we’ll text or call when it’s ready 📃 How Long the Certificate Is Good For - Valid for 90 days from the inspection date - 6 months or 1000 miles if it’s held in dealer inventory After that, a full new inspection is required 📍 Schedule an Inspection at AMPM Automotive We follow Maryland law exactly, no games, no fluff. If it passes, it passes. If it doesn’t, we’ll tell you why and what to do next AMPM Automotive 11800 Coakley Cir, Rockville MD 20852 (301) 822-4694 Monday through Friday 8AM to 5PM Book your inspection online: https://sgenie.io/bvcy9 ❓ Maryland Inspection FAQ 🔧 Can a car fail for window tint Yes. If the front tint blocks too much light, it's an automatic fail ⏳ What if I miss the 30 days or 1000 miles You'll need a brand new full inspection 🚚 Do you inspect motorcycles or diesels No. We only inspect passenger vehicles, SUVs under 10000 lbs, and non-commercial trailers 📝 How do I get the inspection report You’ll receive the full inspection sheet digitally by email right after we complete the inspection
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