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The Importance of Changing Brake Fluids
Owning a car entails for great responsibility as well as setting aside funds for additional expenses that goes on maintenance and repairs. The car contains at least six types of fluids which need to be periodically replenished or replaced namely engine oil, transmission fluid, anti-freeze/coolant, windshield washer solvent and fuel. The number six on the list is brake fluid which is often the neglected one. You’ve known about topping off brake fluid but changing it may be new to most car owners.
According to Car Care Council, the brake fluid of a typical vehicle is prone to contamination in two years time or less. This is because the fluid absorbs moisture which finds its way through the hydraulic system. During heavy braking conditions such as those encountered when driving in mountainous or hilly roads or when towing a trailer, the moisture in the overheated fluid vaporizes resulting to reduction on the braking efficiency.
Such condition can also happen even under normal driving circumstances especially if the brake fluid is seriously contaminated. There are actually two things that can happen. The first one is for the contaminated fluid to vaporize and second it has the ability to also freeze up either way the result is the same which is reduced braking efficiency.
Brake fluid must maintain a stable viscosity throughout its operating temperature range. If it’s too thick or too thin; it would impaired the braking action of the vehicle. Beyond the vaporization hazard moisture creates an additional problem for owners of vehicles especially those equipped with anti-lock braking systems (ABS) since ABS components often get rusted. A rusted and corroded ABS components is never good news since it’s very expensive to replace.
So how would a car owner know when its time to change their car’s brake fluid? Car Care Council recommends changing brake fluid every two years or for every 24,000 miles traveled. Plus, the Council also suggests a change in brake pads or shoe replacement. The brake system to choose would depend on your car make say if you own a Volkswagen then it is only sensible that you purchase Volkswagen brakes system. And in between as preventive measure, a professional brake technician should check the condition of the fluid with an accurate fluid test safety meter that is inserted into the master cylinder reservoir to record the fluid’s boiling point.
Volkswagen, the Company
Volkswagen is considered to be an icon of the 20th century due to the countless legendary cars it has produced. Volkswagen is a German word for people’s car. It started as a concept formed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1934. He wants to produce quality but affordable transport for the German people. He produced a working prototype in just a year.
Ferdinand Porsche has created a masterpiece in the form of a beetle-shaped sedan that was later on called the Volkswagen. The Beetle because of its unique design and aesthetic appeal has become very popular as a fact it has become the best selling car of all time.
Volkswagen was born in an era that is said to be designed for the privilege few and the vehicle has provided the German people would something to look forward to.
By the year 1942, 70,000 Volkswagens were produced. Three years after in a swift recovery after the war, Volkswagen was able to produce 2,000 vehicles but this time it was not for public sale but especially manufactured for the Allied Forces and the new German Post Office. The next production of Volkswagen was after three years again, 1948, wherein it produced a total of 25,000 vehicles from its production lines in Wolfsburg. It was also during that time when Beetles for export to the US was built. The following year 1949 and additional 25,000 Volkswagens were built including the Karmann convertible which became the best selling convertible in the world.
The year 1955 signaled the growth of Volkswagen into a world corporation when it produced a million Volkswagens. It was also on that year when the automaker started building factories and working communities in United States, Brazil, and Canada. The German automaker has not forgotten to also help its fellow countrymen; it has built working communities in major centers in Western Europe.
Less than two decades later The Beetle which was a people’s car was able to overtake Ford’s famous Model T. For the last fifteen years of the millennium Volkswagen has emerged as a true global force in the auto industry. Its acquisition and redevelopment of popular brands like the Audi, SEAT, Skoda, and Lamborghini has strengthen further its standing as one of the largest automaker in the world.
About the Author: Growing up with three brothers, Natalie Anderson became exposed early to the world of automobiles. This 29-year-old account manager now dreams of having her very own top-of-the-line vintage car.
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