Do I Need Winter Tires (i.e. Snow Tires)?

 

                                              Do I Need Winter Tires (i.e. Snow Tires)?

Here in New England, specifically in Central Vermont, we are very familiar with snow and harsh winter conditions.  Every year like clockwork, beginning in roughly the end of September, our shop books up very quickly with winter tire related appointments.  Whether it be a customer looking to change-over their all-season tires to their winter ones, or a customer needing to purchase a new set of winter tires, our team of auto professionals is always prepared to guide you with a focus on quality, safety, performance, and price, so that you get the best bang for your buck!

First, it is important to address the common question we receive about the necessity of upgrading from all-season tires prior to the start of winter.  The most appropriate answer for our customers is that it depends upon your personal situation.  If you live in a town or city with well-paved roads and don't have the personal or professional obligation of needing to drive in the middle of a storm, then your all-season tires are probably adequate once the roads have been cleared.  

Otherwise, it is important to remember that all-season tires are harder in their composition.  The characteristics that make them excel on dry pavement aren't as helpful in snow and ice.  The reason for this is that the tread pattern on all-season tires becomes packed with snow until the treads are full.  Once the tire treads are packed with snow, the vehicle is now being operated with an extremely slick tire surface as its only means of contact with the equally slick roadway.  Clearly, this is dangerous and not recommended.

Winter tires (i.e. snow tires) on the other hand are designed with a softer composition that is able to clear packed snow from its tread pattern on every tire rotation, as you drive down the road.  For this primary reason, winter tires perform far better in adverse winter weather conditions and are recommended for those of us who need the peace of mind that we can drive our vehicle whether or not it happens to be snowing and/or if the roads have been cleared.

One final tip is to please remember to switch back to your all-season tires when the winter season has concluded because the softer composition of your winter tires will cause them to wear more quickly once the weather begins to warm up.  While some people may be reluctant to invest in winter tires at all, it is important to remember that since you'll be swapping to and from all-season and winter tires each year, you are effectively doubling the serviceable period of each set and should not need to purchase another set of tires for your vehicle, for several seasons.

Still have questions?  Need help getting your vehicle properly outfitted for winter?  Give us a call or stop in today! And if you're buying your next vehicle from us, don't forget to ask about winter tire options that our sales staff can arrange for you at the time that your new vehicle is delivered.

Why Do My Brakes Make Noise?

                                             

                                                Why Do My Brakes Make Noise?

 

Since brakes can be one of the most frequently discussed topics in the vehicle service department, we will expand upon our discussion from last time on brake systems.   Noisy brakes are one of the most common brake related inquiries that we receive.  Noisy brakes can also be both annoying and potentially dangerous, so we hope to provide some clarity for our customers with this edition of the Ayer Auto blog.  

 

Have you ever noticed that on some mornings following rain, snow, or even just morning dew, your vehicle’s brakes may squeak or squeal?  This is often just surface rust that is quickly scraped off of your vehicle’s rotors after the first few times that you apply the brakes and not a reason for concern. If the noise is persistent or continues while you’re driving down the road, then that’s a sign that it’s time to call Ayer Auto Service to schedule a brake inspection.

                                        

 

In many cases, persistent brake noise is related to the pads themselves, but it can be related to a variety of other issues.  For example, an unevenly worn rotor, or a corroded or loose shim, can generate noise.  In cases of persistent brake noise, it is best to schedule a service appointment to have your vehicle’s braking system inspected by a professional technician.  At Ayer Auto Service, our certified technicians and support staff stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in the automotive industry, so that we can most effectively serve our customers and take the stress out of the repair situation and decision.  We pride ourselves on helping our customers select the component parts that are best suited to their specific driving pattern and needs.  We do this with the goal of minimizing costs and repeat trips to a service center for repair work, so that you can get back on the road with the confidence that your vehicle will be there and function properly when you need it most.  

 

We are conveniently located in the heart of Central VT!

 

Give us a call or get in touch with us online today!

Which Brakes are Better?

                                                             

                                                    Which Brakes are Better?

 

Here, at Ayer Auto Service, one of the most common questions or sources of confusion we receive from our customers is in regard to brakes.  Before tackling some of your specific questions, we figured that this week’s blog post should provide some background on the topic of brakes and the choices available to you as both a consumer and a driver.  During the course of our three decades of automotive repair experience, brakes and the materials utilized in their component parts have evolved and changed greatly.  Having once been composed of asbestos, brakes are now classified as organic, metallic, or ceramic.  

 

Organic, or non-asbestos organic (NAO), brake pads are made of materials like rubber, carbon compounds, glass, fiberglass, or Kevlar, and are bound with resin.  NAO brake pads tend to be quiet, while producing a relatively low amount of dust.   They are typically suitable for normal driving and commuting patterns, and can be purchased at a reasonably low price.  With this in mind, it is important to consider that organic brake pads tend to wear more quickly and don’t perform as well in extreme weather or driving conditions.  NAO brake pads are subject to overheating more quickly than other types of brakes when under heavy load.  The driver may also experience the need to depress the brake pedal more forcefully in order to engage them, due to the organic brake pad material’s higher degree of compressibility.  

 

Next up for consideration when choosing brakes for your vehicle, are metallic, or semi-metallic, brake pads.  These are made of metals like copper, iron, steel, and other composite alloys.  They’re combined with graphite lubricant to complete the brake pad.  Often, drivers interested in high-performance opt for metallic brake pads because they offer superior braking performance across a wider range of temperatures and driving conditions.  Since metals are good conductors of heat, they can tolerate high temperature better while also cooling back down more quickly.  When compared to organic brake pads, less pressure needs to be applied to the brake pedal to engage the brakes because they don’t compress as much.  However, it is important to note that metallic brake pads are often noisier than the organic and ceramic brake pad options.  As a result, not only do drivers typically report a louder driving experience, but mechanically there is more stress placed on the braking system and more wear and tear on the brake rotors.  Metallic brake pads also tend to produce noticeably more brake dust than either the organic or ceramic alternatives.

 

Last, but not least, are ceramic brake pads.  Ceramic pads are denser and more durable than the non-ceramic alternatives discussed above.  They contain copper fibers to help increase friction and heat conductivity and are increasingly popular among consumers.  Since their introduction to the market in the 1980’s, ceramic brake pads have been increasingly popular for a few reasons.  First, they are rather quiet.  Next, ceramic brake pads tend to produce less dust and residue particles from wear and tear over their lifetime.  Lastly, ceramic pads are more reliable in a wider range of temperatures and driving conditions when compared to organic pads.  As in the other two situations, the positives do not come without some negatives.  Ceramic brake pads are more costly and since they don’t absorb as much heat as other materials, the heat that results from braking tends to pass through the pads and into the rest of the braking system, which causes wear and tear on other components.  Finally, ceramic brake pads are not considered the best choice for extreme driving conditions, like those faced in very cold climates or in high heat situations resulting from performance driving and racing.

 

With all these options and particular considerations, who can keep it all straight?  Fortunately, you don’t have to!  At Ayer Auto Service, our certified technicians and support staff stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in the automotive industry, so that we can most effectively serve our customers and take the stress out of the repair situation and decision.  We pride ourselves on helping our customers select the component parts that are best suited to their specific driving pattern and needs.  We do this with the goal of minimizing costs and repeat trips to a service center for repair work, so that you can get back on the road with the confidence that your vehicle will be there and function properly when you need it most.  

We are conveniently located in the heart of Central VT!

Give us a call or get in touch with us online today!

What is Undercoating?

What is Undercoating?

Having grown up in Vermont spending a lot of time at my father's auto body shop in Barre, Vermont (the predecessor to Ayer Auto, Inc.), I quickly learned two things: 1) the damage that New England winters cause to vehicles; and 2) the importance of applying high quality undercoating products to one's vehicle.  As vehicle purchases are often the largest expenditure consumers make, it is financially wise to protect that investment by taking the time to have a highly trained and experienced technician, properly and fully undercoat your vehicle.  This is done with the goal of combating the rust and corrosion that so quickly destroys vehicles.  For my friends in warm weather states, undercoating is equally effective and worth considering, as it provides protection to the vehicle from all types of moisture, dirt, sand, and debris, encountered both on and off road.

                                                                              

Undercoating is sometimes confused with rustproofing.  Undercoating is focused on the underside and chassis of a vehicle, while rustproofing focuses on spraying protective wax to areas of the vehicle that are vulnerable to chipping and the accumulation of moisture that can lead to rust and corrosion.  Depending upon one's particular driving pattern and situation, undercoating and rustproofing often go hand in hand and are both highly recommended.  

At Ayer Auto Body, we are proud to be one of only four authorized shops in the state to utilize the high quality products from Noxudol.  I encourage everyone to call our knowledgeable staff and learn how we can help you protect your vehicle and keep it running for many years to come, no matter what Mother Nature may bring.  When you buy your next vehicle at Ayer Auto Sales, we can also conveniently arrange to undercoat your pre-owned vehicle before you take it home. 

 

We are conveniently located in the heart of Central VT!

Give us a call today!

    

How to Buy a Used Car

How to Buy a Used Car

 

Buying a car can be both an exciting and frustrating experience.  In order to guarantee success and avoid frustration, first, be sure to set your budget.  Then do some research using any of the great online resources that you can access free of charge.  When reviewing these resources, be sure to check reliability ratings and ownership costs.  Next, do a search for your targeted car by make and model, within a set mileage radius of your home and/or place of business.  During this time, you will be able to determine a fair market price, select options, as well as consider mileage and condition level.  Don’t forget to check the vehicle history report.

Now that you’ve completed your research, you’re ready to contact the seller, arrange a test drive, and in-person inspection.  Once you’ve completed all of these steps and narrowed down your used car search, all that is left is to negotiate the best price, arrange for any necessary financing, complete the required paperwork, and arrange for insurance coverage and registration plates.  

 At Ayer Auto Sales, our experienced professionals aim to take all the stress and legwork out of your car buying experience.  Our vehicles are thoroughly checked for quality and condition and are serviced by our certified technicians at Ayer Auto Service and Ayer Auto Body before being placed onto the sales lot.  Ayer Auto Sales prides itself on doing all the homework for our growing base of loyal customers.  We provide every customer with vehicle history reports and offer several options for financing, trade-ins, warranties, and more.  You can find us online on our website, Facebook, and YouTube page where we post 360-degree videos of our vehicle inventory several days per week.

 

We are conveniently located in the heart of Central VT!

Give us a call today!