Brake Check Before the Road Trip: Winter Tips to Keep You Rolling
About this episode
Winter driving requires special attention to your vehicle's braking system. Niall MotorMouth Jenkins shares essential tips for ensuring your brakes are ready for the slick roads ahead. He emphasizes the importance of a thorough brake inspection, including the often-overlooked parking brake, and offers advice on how to communicate effectively with service technicians. With humor and practical insights, this episode aims to equip listeners with the knowledge to maintain their vehicles and avoid costly surprises at the repair shop.
Before you hit the highway this winter, it's time for a good old-fashioned brake check. In this episode of Car Connection Next GEN 2.0, I walk you through the simple things you can do right now to make sure your brakes won't surprise you when the snow flies.And because I love to spoil my listener's, I'm tossing in two bonus winter tech tips-easy, practical, and designed to keep you safely rolling through whatever Mother Nature throws at us. A little peace of mind goes along way when the temperature drops. If you're gearing up for a road trip, commuting, or just want your vehicle winter-ready this episode is your warm cup of automotive wisdom. CALL TO ACTION-JOIN THE MOTORMOUTH CREW: Like, subscribe, comment your thoughts below, and ring the bell to get notified of new videos & Live streams. Like & follow us on Facebook @ nile motormouth jenkins for reel and videos you won't find anywhere else. Catch us locally on, StevensvilleOnTheWeb.ca-click on the Businesses tab for exclusive outtakes and bloopers. Don't forget to grab your Car Connection Merch- winter gear is on the way and the order is IN! We'll see you in the next one! #WinterDrivingTips, #BrakeSafety, #CarConnectionPodcast
working relationship with a service technician
"...if you have an established working relationship with an automo's service technician at the counter and in the shop that's a good place to be..."
A good relationship with your car's service technician means you trust them and can talk to them easily about what your car needs. This helps avoid surprises and makes getting your car fixed easier.
Having a good working relationship with a service technician means that you trust them and communicate effectively about your vehicle's needs. This can lead to better service, more accurate estimates, and a smoother experience overall.
five o'clock surprise
"...you really need to protect yourself so that you don't have the five o'clock surprise, you're not paying for something, you've not authorized and then the big argument breaks out at the service desk..."
A 'five o'clock surprise' is when you go to pick up your car and find out that the bill is much higher than you expected, often because you weren't told about extra charges. This can cause arguments with the service desk.
The term 'five o'clock surprise' refers to unexpected charges or fees that a customer encounters when picking up their vehicle, often after service has been completed. This can lead to disputes between the customer and service provider if the customer was not informed about these additional costs beforehand.
Lucid Air
"...oh by the way did you do this, did you check the air in condition of the spare tire then the service ..."
The Lucid Air is a fancy electric car that can go really far on a single charge and has a lot of cool tech inside. It's made by a company called Lucid Motors and is meant to compete with other high-end electric cars. People might talk about it because it's one of the newest and most advanced electric cars available.
The Lucid Air is a luxury electric sedan produced by Lucid Motors, known for its impressive range, high performance, and advanced technology features. It represents a significant step in the electric vehicle market, aiming to compete with established brands like Tesla. The discussion may revolve around its innovative design and features, as well as its impact on the future of electric mobility.
rear defroster
"...check your rear defroster grid you know the thing with the little lines in it..."
The rear defroster is the part of your car that heats up the back window to melt ice or fog. It has little lines that get warm to clear your view when it's cold outside.
A rear defroster is a component in vehicles that uses heated wires embedded in the rear window to remove frost or condensation. This helps improve visibility during cold weather conditions.
City Auto Sales
"...thank you to Earl and Louise Grant at City Auto Sales and leasing GTA's premier pre-owned auto store..."
City Auto Sales is a place where you can buy used cars that are in good condition. They make sure to sell cars that are reliable and not broken down.
City Auto Sales is a pre-owned auto dealership known for offering low mileage vehicles and quality service. They focus on providing fair prices and have a reputation for not selling junk cars.
in-house financing
"...they also have in-house financing so whether you have good credit bad credit or no credit..."
In-house financing means that the car dealership can help you pay for the car without needing to go to a bank. This is helpful for people who might have trouble getting loans elsewhere.
In-house financing refers to a dealership's ability to provide financing directly to customers, rather than relying on third-party lenders. This can be beneficial for buyers with varying credit histories.
four-wheel drive
"...whether you have traction control all-wheel drive sometimes all-wheel drive sometimes four-wheel drive..."
Four-wheel drive means that all four wheels of a car get power from the engine, which helps the car grip the road better. It's useful for driving on rough or slippery surfaces.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) is a drivetrain system that allows all four wheels of a vehicle to receive power from the engine simultaneously. This enhances traction and control, especially in off-road or slippery conditions.
Nissan 2008 Nissan
"...the last one we just videoed was an 08 2008 Nissan Rogue and out of the whole thing the rear brakes were absolutely shot including the emergency brake..."
The Nissan Rogue is a small SUV that is good for families or anyone needing extra space. The 2008 version is known for being comfortable and having good gas mileage.
The Nissan Rogue is a compact crossover SUV that has been popular for its versatility and practicality. The 2008 model features a spacious interior and is known for its comfortable ride and decent fuel efficiency.
Nissan Rogue
"...e last one we just videoed was an 08 2008 Nissan Rogue and out of the whole thing the rear brakes were ..."
brakes
"...the rear brakes were absolutely shot including the emergency brake so three videos we did this summer on that come to mind..."
Brakes are what help your car slow down or stop. They are very important for safety, and if they are worn out, it can be dangerous to drive.
Brakes are essential components of a vehicle that allow it to slow down or stop. They work by creating friction against the wheels, and their condition is crucial for safe driving.
emergency brake
"...the parking brake the emergency brake and rear brakes were absolutely nothing left to work with..."
The emergency brake is a backup brake that you can use to keep your car from rolling when parked. It's important for safety, especially if your regular brakes stop working.
The emergency brake, also known as the parking brake, is a secondary braking system used to keep a vehicle stationary when parked. It is typically engaged manually and can be crucial in case the primary brakes fail.
parking brake
"you still need to use the parking brake if he says oh no sweetheart no that yeah we know you know the guy is wrong..."
The parking brake is a special brake that keeps your car from moving when it's parked. It's important to use it, especially on hills.
The parking brake, also known as the handbrake or emergency brake, is a mechanism that keeps a vehicle stationary when parked. It is especially important on inclines and can prevent the vehicle from rolling.
Dodge Ram
"give him the stink eye okay give him the stink eye because and then send him to our YouTube channel to look up the 2010 that was the first one we did was a 2010 Dodge Ram..."
The 2010 Dodge Ram is a big truck that can carry heavy loads and is often used for work or towing. It has different engine choices and is built to be tough.
The 2010 Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck known for its strong towing capabilities and rugged design. It features a variety of engine options and is popular among both work and recreational users.
Kia Borrego
"...king brake destruction second one was a 2010 Kia Borrego yeah they didn't make a lot of them so you may no..."
The Kia Borrego is a big SUV that can fit a lot of people and gear, and it was made for a few years starting in 2008. It has strong engines and is good for driving off the road, but not many were sold, so you might not see them often. The talk about it might be about some problems it had with brakes.
The Kia Borrego is a mid-size SUV that was produced from 2008 to 2016, known for its spacious interior and off-road capabilities. Although it didn't sell in large numbers, it offered a strong V6 or V8 engine option and was appreciated for its value and features. The mention of the Borrego in the podcast may relate to its performance or reliability issues, particularly in relation to braking.
ABS
"even if you have traction control with ABS the ABS system can only re-correct the vehicle from a skid or a yaw"
ABS is a system in cars that helps prevent the wheels from stopping completely when you brake hard, which helps you steer better in emergencies.
ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System, a safety feature that prevents the wheels from locking up during hard braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control.
yaw
"the ABS system can only re-correct the vehicle from a skid or a yaw which is what we call it I call it a yeehaw because you're going"
Yaw is when a car turns sideways instead of going straight, which can happen if you lose control while driving.
Yaw refers to the rotation of a vehicle around its vertical axis, which can lead to loss of control if the vehicle skids or slides.
traction control
"even if you have traction control with ABS the ABS system can only re-correct the vehicle from a skid or a yaw"
Traction control is a feature in cars that helps keep the wheels from spinning too much when it's slippery, like on ice or wet roads.
Traction control is a system that helps prevent wheel spin during acceleration, improving grip and stability on slippery surfaces.
brake inspection
"...my biggest recommendation I can give you is a four-wheel brake inspection and yes the parking brake needs to be working..."
A brake inspection is when a mechanic checks your car's brakes to make sure they are working properly. This is important for your safety when driving.
A brake inspection involves checking the condition and functionality of a vehicle's braking system, including the brake pads, rotors, and fluid levels. It's essential for ensuring safe driving, especially before long trips or seasonal changes.
parking pawl
"...there's a very tiny teeny weeny piece of metal in the transmission on an automatic that's called a parking pawl..."
The parking pawl is a tiny piece inside the car's transmission that helps keep the car from moving when it's parked. It's not very strong, so it's important to use the parking brake too.
The parking pawl is a small metal component in an automatic transmission that engages to prevent the vehicle from rolling when parked. It locks the transmission in place, but it is not designed to hold the vehicle's weight over long periods.
automatic transmission
"that keeps the transmit automatic transmission in park should that little tiny piece of metal..."
An automatic transmission is a system in a car that changes gears for you, so you don't have to do it yourself like in a manual car.
An automatic transmission is a type of vehicle transmission that automatically changes the gear ratios as the vehicle moves, allowing the driver to focus on driving without needing to manually shift gears.
braking system
"you've got to get in and see all the brakes all the components that make up your braking system so it's how I've been"
The braking system is what helps your car slow down or stop. It includes parts like the brake pads and discs that squeeze together to create friction.
The braking system is a collection of components that work together to slow down or stop a vehicle. This includes the brake pads, rotors, calipers, and hydraulic system.
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