Regular maintenance is essential to keep your Mazda working perfectly, as it ensures old or damaged parts are identified and replaced before a problem develops. As your Mazda dealership, we’d like you to know some signs you need to visit us for Mazda maintenance.
Signs You Need Mazda Maintenance at Your Mazda Dealership
Illuminated Warning Lights
The warning lights on your driver’s information center give you a clear heads-up if something is wrong. They light up when your engine starts, then they should go dark within seconds. If a light remains on, it’s a sign that something is wrong and needs to be checked. Your Mazda’s computer activates these lights in response to information provided by the vehicle sensors.
Your Mazda features numerous sensors, each of which monitors a critical system or component. The sensors relay information to the computer, which it uses to make decisions, and they also report any unusual behavior. Sensors are very sensitive and can detect a potential problem as soon as it appears. Once informed of the issue, the computer activates the warning light. We’ll investigate and fix the problem.
Screeching Noises
A high-pitched screeching sound when you hit the brakes is a sign that your brake pads have worn down. The brake pads fit into the calipers, which are positioned above your wheels. Each pad has a 1/2″ thick rough material covering that generates friction against the rotor when you apply the brakes. The resulting friction stops your wheels and, in time, causes the pad’s material to wear off.
As the material covering thins, braking will take longer, and once a pad drops to 1/4″ thick, it needs to be replaced. Pad manufacturers install a metal spike inside the material that only becomes visible when a pad has worn thin. The spike will scratch against the rotor, producing a screeching noise as a warning that the pad needs replacement. We can install new pads in minutes to fix this issue.
Fluid Leaks
Leaking fluid is a sure sign that something is wrong. Your Mazda contains many different fluids, the most important of which are brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, oil, and transmission fluid. As time passes, old seals, worn gaskets, or damage to a system can result in a fluid leak. As fluid is lost, the affected system becomes less responsive, and this can make driving dangerous.
A brake fluid leak, for example, causes the brakes to take longer to respond, and this delay can cause an accident, while a coolant leak can easily cause the engine to overheat and suffer serious damage.
Book your Mazda’s maintenance today at John Lee Mazda in Panama City, FL.
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