Car Seat Safety

Budget Brakes wants to remind every parent of the value of car seats from the time a child is born until they are eight or nine years old. Car seats are vital to protecting your loved ones in the event of an accident.
The most important thing you can check on a car seat is whether or not your child is securely seated in the car seat. The key is to make the seat belts as tight as they can be so that the child stays secure in an accident. Car seat manufacturers make optional ratchet-style adjustments to be fixed to the car seat belts to tighten the belts to the optimum level.
Older children should have booster car seats, as well. As an adult, riding in a car places the edge of the seat in line with the knee. Children, however, with shorter legs, often find that their legs stick straight out. Without a booster seat, an accident that causes the car to compact would also crush a child's legs. A booster seat also prevents the seatbelt from crossing the neck, instead, placing it firmly across the shoulder as it was designed.
Budget Brakes hopes every parent realizes the value of proper car seat use.

How to Keep Your Family Safe on Road Trips

Budget Brakes cares about your family's continued safety. Before leaving on your next road trip, be sure to stop by and have your brakes inspected at Budget Brakes. Here are some other things to remember before starting a road trip.

Check your windshield wipers and wiper fluid. New wipers are a small investment and they can make driving in inclement weather much safer.

Check the oil in the car for both color and depth. Oil should come up to the “Full” line on the dipstick and be clear or tan. If you are within 1000 miles of a scheduled oil change, or if the oil is dark brown or black, change the oil.

Check the other fluids, like transmission fluid, radiator fluid, and freon. Most new cars do not leak these fluids, but older cars have issues and should be checked regularly.

Check your tires for air pressure and tread. If necessary rotate, or even change, your tires before traveling. If you are headed to a snowy region, change into snow tires.

Finally, be sure to come by Budget Brakes for a brake inspection to ensure that your brakes are operating at peak efficiency for your safety.

What Your Teen Needs To Know About Driving

Budget Brakes cares about the safety of you and your family, that's why this series of Budget Brakes articles is devoted to keeping your family safe while driving. This article discusses things your older teen going off to college needs to know.

Stay off the phone while driving. Any distraction that takes your mind off driving increases the risk of having an accident. This includes eating, talking on the phone, or rubbernecking at accidents.
Learn the new state laws. If your child is going out of state, new laws may apply with regard to road rules, vehicle inspection, or parking. Make sure your teen has reviewed the new state's drivers handbook.
Keep your car maintained. Car maintenance is often overlooked by young drivers or busy individuals. College students fall into both categories, so take extra care to remind them of scheduled maintenance.
No drinking and driving. Drinking often makes smart people do dumb things like drive. Even your college student may make bad decisions. Be sure to remind them that cabs and designated drivers are always available, and are only a phone call away.

Budget Brakes hopes these tips helps your teen stay safe while they are at college.

Budget Brakes Used Car Tips: Check the Suspension

Budget Brakes' encourages customers to thoroughly check a used car's suspension and not overlook bumpiness, even in older cars.

First, visually inspect the car to see if it is sitting higher in the front or back. If so, the springs could be worn. Next, check the shocks by pressing down on the bumper in both the front and back. The car should bounce up and down only once. If the car bounces easily or multiple times, have a mechanic inspect the shocks and struts for wear.

When test driving the vehicle, pay particular attention to stability, traction, alignment, and comfort. A vehicle that pulls either to the right or left is either out of alignment or has uneven tires. The vehicle should feel tight, responsive, and not shake.

Budget Brakes wants to remind used car buyers that the suspension, shocks, and struts are often overlooked parts of a purchase, but they can be as costly as an engine or transmission repair. If you have any doubts about the car, Budget Brakes recommends that you see a mechanic before purchasing.