5 Ways to get more life out of your Brakes

Owning a car comes with certain responsibilities including periodic maintenance like oil changes, timing belts, brakes, and other wearable parts. Making sure your car is taken care of will save you money down the road. Your brakes are one of the most important safety components of your vehicle.  Keeping them in good working order is one of the easiest ways to limit expensive accidents. Here are some tips to get the most life from them and save you money in the long run.

1. No Hot Rodding! It takes a lot more work for the brakes to slow the car down if you are speeding. And, on the plus side, you’ll save on speeding tickets too.
2. Always pay attention to traffic patterns and anticipate your next stop. Let off the gas pedal well before a red light and coast to a stop. It will save the life of your brake pads and may even prevent a rear-end collision.
3. Slowly pump rather than stomp on the brakes. By releasing and applying the pedal, you give the brakes a chance to cool down improving performance and longevity.
4. Only use your right foot for both the brake and gas pedals. That way the brake never gets hit while using the gas. Even just resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving can make the brakes drag and cause premature wear.
5. Use quality brakes. Just because a cheaper brake pad is available does not mean it’s recommended by the manufacturer. By using premium brakes with the correct formulation, you can get many more miles between brake repairs and have fewer issues like brake noise.

Try these 5 tips and you’ll be on your way to fewer headaches and saving money over time on your brake repairs. If you have any brake replacement, brake repair, or even just basic brake inspection needs here in Beaverton Oregon, we at Cottman of Beaverton are always happy to help! Happy motoring.

HORSHAM, Pa. – Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care announced that it is leveraging its position as an industry leader in aftermarket and transmission maintenance to celebrate an unprecedented national holiday: National Check Your Transmission Day, taking place today on Oct. 21, 2017, during October’s National Car Care Month.

In observance of National Check Your Transmission Day today, Cottman is urging all drivers to make transmission maintenance a priority. To that end, Cottman is offering its very own free TransCheck 21 PLUS Inspection, which provides busy consumers with the chance to enhance regular auto maintenance with a comprehensive transmission check at no extra charge.

“Today is the perfect opportunity for consumers to make comprehensive preventative car care and maintenance a routine part of their relationship with their vehicle,” said Randy Wright, president for Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care. “Consumers should know that not all basic car care packages include transmission maintenance and National Check Your Transmission Day is a reminder to take advantage of services such Cottman’s free TransCheck 21 PLUS Inspection to make sure their transmissions are running smoothly, on this special day and throughout the rest of the year.”

Transmission repair is one of the most expensive and therefore most dreaded repairs, making many consumers prone to ignoring preventable problems.

“National Check Your Transmission Day today is a reminder for consumers to face transmission maintenance head-on and prolong a transmission’s life by bringing in their vehicles for regular transmission fluid and filter checks,” said Derik Beck vice president of digital marketing for Cottman. “We want all consumers to just be aware that this is an important part of the vehicle and by creating a national day we can highlight the need to have it checked, not only on this particular day but throughout the year.”

Today on National Check Your Transmission Day, Cottman is also raising awareness of the various maintenance habits that can reduce the life of a car’s transmission, from poor driving habits to inadequate service intervals. With better awareness of transmission maintenance basics, Cottman intends to convince more drivers of the importance of transmission checks to prevent unnecessary, costly repairs.

Observed in October, today’s National Check Your Transmission Day also falls within National Car Care Month, which promotes regular car maintenance all month long. October and the fall season is the perfect opportunity for drivers to effectively prepare and safeguard their vehicles’ functionality for winter as the season changes from summer to fall.

In addition to taking advantage of transmission-focused maintenance services such as Cottman’s TransCheck 21 PLUS Inspection, consumers can observe National Check Your Transmission Day by familiarizing themselves with what to look for in a healthy transmission. Beyond simply paying attention to the check engine light or replacing old oil, knowing the basics of transmission maintenance can empower customers to get the best care possible for their vehicles—is the oil burnt or just worn out? Is the material in the bottom of the sump a problem or is it just normal wear? Is it too late to be paying for a service to fix a transmission issue? A little knowledge can go a long way in empowering a consumer to ensure their transmission is performing at the top of its game.

Watch Cottman’s series of educational videos by the brand’s animated Cottman Man and Transmission Physician to learn more about transmission maintenance.

About Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care

With locations across the U.S., Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care is a transmission and auto repair brand that services almost any make or model vehicle, foreign or domestic. Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care centers specialize in complete transmission service, brakes, suspension, air conditioning service and much more. Cottman’s headquarters is based in Horsham, Pennsylvania.

Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care are naming October 21st National Check Your Transmission Day. And they’ll perform a TransCheck 21 Plus Inspection to provide consumers with a complete picture of the condition of their transmissions.

The procedure is simple: You bring your car to your local Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care center. They perform a TransCheck 21 Plus Inspection, which includes checking your transmission’s fluid, looking for leaks, examining its performance, and looking for any computer system trouble codes that could indicate a problem. From there, they’ll give you a complete report on your transmission’s condition, and recommend any services that might help improve your transmission’s longevity. Maybe there won’t be anything required, or maybe they’ll recommend a service. From there, any follow-up appointments can be scheduled accordingly.

And, to go along with catching problems early, every Cottman location is giving away prizes to their first customers! Catch transmission problems early, and get rewarded. But, whatever they suggest, you can bank on two things: It’ll cost a lot less than a complete transmission rebuild, and it’ll extend the life of your transmission.

Who should have their transmission checked? According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), the following vehicles have exhibited many transmission issues:

2002 and 2004 FORD EXPLORER – owners experienced many issues with the transmission from a complete transmission failure, OverDrive light blinking, transmission slips when shifting, difficulty shifting, and more.

2003 Honda Accord – owners report complete transmission failures, not shifting properly, slips out of gear, will not shift into certain gears, irregular shifting, and more.

2013 Nissan Altima – many issues with CVT.

2001 Honda Civic – Complete failures, slipping, gears will not engage or pops out of a gear at random.

HORSHAM, Pa. – Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care continue to affirm its position as the foremost authority on aftermarket car care, culminating in the release of four videos in the acclaimed Transmission Physician series.

Available to watch online, Cottman’s four new auto care tip videos address a number of common concerns and best practices on transmission maintenance. The brand, which has endeared itself in the communities it serves for the honesty and integrity that defines every customer experience as well as its local outreach programs, is committed to educating its customers before, during and after their visit to Cottman. The live links to the videos are listed below and include the topics of:

• Choosing A Transmission Shop
• Make Your Transmission Last
• Seasonal Issues Could be Affecting Your Transmission
• Why A Fluid Exchange

“When we first revealed the Transmission Physician, we were overwhelmed by the positive response from our customers. There’s a culture of uncertainty and misunderstanding when it comes to car maintenance and ownership, and the Transmission Physician takes a big step toward clearing up common misconceptions,” said Derik Beck, vice president of digital marketing for Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care. “These videos give us the opportunity to share our expertise with consumers nationwide so they can travel safely. We’re here to help people take the guesswork out of common car problems.”

The release of these four videos bookends a year of industry acclaim for the Cottman Transmission Physician. In 2017 alone, the decorated, animated female transmission specialist has brought home a host of impressive awards:

• Platinum Award, dotCOMM Awards for Animation in Web Creativity and Digital Communication
• Silver Award, Summit Creative Awards for Education Animated Video Series
• Bronze Award, Telly Awards, Craft Use of Animation for Branded Content & Entertainment and Web Series for Video, Shows or Segments
• Gold Medal, Hermes Creative Awards, Electronic Media – Websites, Educational Video Series
• “Excellence” designation, Communicator Awards, Online Video in a Campaign or Web Series
• “Distinction” designation, Communicator Awards, Online Video in Video Education

The Transmission Physician web series is a standout component of Cottman’s broader catalog of educational digital content. Using accessible animation and themes, Cottman shares its educational videos on the brand’s website as a way for consumers to learn more about common car care topics.

As a specialist in transmission technology and repair, the Transmission Physician debunks common transmission myths, shares specialized, transmission-specific advice and explores related topics such as checking the automatic transmission fluid (ATF), why transmissions are so expensive, the process of how a transmission works, rechecks and more.

She joins the Cottman Man, the brand’s well-known namesake who has long starred in his own digital series, teaching consumers about car care and tips to maintain the longevity of their vehicles. Together, these characters strengthen Cottman’s ability to connect with consumers and creatively share meaningful maintenance information that adds value to the excellent services already offered at every Cottman location.

To view the Transmission Physician and Cottman Man Video Series, visit www.cottman.com/videos/. And, to learn more about Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care, please visit www.cottman.com.

About Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care

With locations across the U.S., Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care is a transmission and auto repair brand that services almost any make or model vehicle, foreign or domestic. Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care centers specialize in complete transmission service, brakes, suspension, air conditioning service and much more. Cottman’s headquarters is based in Horsham, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.Cottman.com and www.TheCottmanManBlog.com.

HORSHAM, Pa. – Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care are leveraging its position as an industry leader in aftermarket and transmission maintenance with an unprecedented national holiday: National Check Your Transmission Day on Oct. 21, 2017, a special celebration during October’s National Car Care Month.

In observance of National Check Your Transmission Day, Cottman is urging all drivers to make transmission maintenance a priority. To that end, Cottman is offering its very own free TransCheck 21 PLUS Inspection, which provides busy consumers with the chance to enhance regular auto maintenance with a comprehensive transmission check at no extra charge.

“Since many consumers depend on their car as their primary source of transportation, preventative car care and maintenance is often the key to extending the life of their vehicle,” said Randy Wright, president for Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care. “Transmission maintenance is not always included in a basic tune-up check, and National Check Your Transmission Day is a chance for consumers to take advantage of services such Cottman’s free TransCheck 21 PLUS Inspection to ensure their transmissions are serviced regularly.”

Transmission repair is one of the most expensive and therefore most dreaded repairs, making many consumers prone to ignore preventable problems. “National Check Your Transmission Day is a reminder for consumers to face transmission problems head-on and prolong a transmission’s life by bringing in their vehicles for regular transmission fluid and filter checks,” said Derik Beck vice president of digital marketing for Cottman. “We want all consumers to just be aware that this is an important part of the vehicle and by creating a national day we can highlight the need to have it checked, not only on this particular day but throughout the year.”

On National Check Your Transmission Day, Cottman will also be raising awareness of the various maintenance habits that can reduce the life of a car’s transmission, from poor driving habits to inadequate service intervals. With better awareness of transmission maintenance basics, Cottman intends to convince more drivers of the importance of transmission checks to prevent unnecessary, costly repairs.

Observed in October, National Check Your Transmission Day also falls within National Car Care Month, which promotes regular car maintenance all month long. October and the fall season is the perfect opportunity for drivers to effectively prepare and safeguard their vehicles’ functionality for winter as the season changes from summer to fall.

In addition to taking advantage of transmission-focused maintenance services such as Cottman’s TransCheck 21 PLUS Inspection, consumers can observe National Check Your Transmission Day by familiarizing themselves with what to look for in a healthy transmission. Beyond simply paying attention to the check engine light or replacing old oil, knowing the basics of transmission maintenance can empower customers to get the best care possible for their vehicles—is the oil burnt or just worn out? Is the material in the bottom of the sump a problem or is it just normal wear? Is it too late to be paying for a service to fix a transmission issue? A little knowledge can go a long way in empowering a consumer to ensure their transmission is performing at the top of its game.

To further educate consumers, earlier this year Cottman released it’s a new animated character called the Transmission Physician and a new educational video series which features her as a specialist in transmission technology and repair, and explores topics through the video series such as, checking the automatic transmission fluid (ATF), why transmissions are so expensive, the process of how a transmission works, rechecks and more. These videos are accessible via the Cottman website.

At its core, Cottman centers are and always have been transmission specialty repair centers, dedicated to providing honest, quality service at reasonable prices to drivers everywhere. Transmissions, cars, and technology, in general, continue to change, and with it the consumer demand for information. This is why the National Check Your Transmission Day was founded and the Transmission Physician Educational Video Series was created.

To learn more, about the national day please visit Cottman’s national website, www.cottman.com/national-check-your-transmission-day. To learn more about the Transmission Physician Educational Video Series please visit https://www.cottman.com/Transmission-Physician/.

About Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care

With locations across the U.S., Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care is a transmission and auto repair brand that services almost any make or model vehicle, foreign or domestic. Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care centers specialize in complete transmission service, brakes, suspension, air conditioning service and much more. Cottman’s headquarters is based in Horsham, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.Cottman.com and www.TheCottmanManBlog.com.

You just headed out to work or the store when you noticed it: a noise you’ve never heard before, coming from somewhere under the hood of your car. Or maybe it wasn’t a noise; maybe it was just something… not right.

You know you’re going to have to take your car in to get it checked. So you call your local Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care center and say… what?

It’s an important question: one that can make a big difference in whether your car gets fixed quickly or with a few extra days. Knowing how to explain the problem will go a long way toward getting your car fixed and the road quickly and efficiently.

So what should you know? Start with what the problem is: a noise, a vibration, or just something that feels different? Don’t try to diagnose it, and try not to tell the technician what you want to be done. Telling them to “Give it a tuneup” or “Align the wheels,” may not be the problem that you’re seeing or hearing. Instead, let the technicians know the facts will help them better diagnose the car.

The first thing you should do is see if you can work out as many details of the problem as possible. When does it occur? When you’re applying or letting off the gas? When the car is cold or hot? Right after you start the engine or after you’ve driven it for a while? Or does it go away after a few minutes?

Driving straight or turning? Slow or fast? On rough roads or all the time?

And what about the weather? Is it hot or cold out? Rainy or dry? Or doesn’t it matter? These are all things that can make a difference for helping the technician identify the problem and repair it right.

Best of all, can you show the problem to the technician? If you can, it’ll clear up a lot of question about what, exactly, you’re worried about. Since technicians fix many “noises” throughout the day, it may not be the noise that you had heard originally.

Want to make sure you get your problem fixed right? Take it to your nearby Cottman Center and explain the problem to them as best you can. Include everything you noticed, even if it doesn’t seem to make sense. Then let them do their job: You’ll both be glad you did.

Summer’s just around the corner. And, if you’re one of the few people who’ve never seen National Lampoon’s Vacation, you may be considering a road trip for your vacation this year.

Well, before you head off to enjoy your well-earned break from the day-to-day grind, take your car over to your nearby Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care center for a complete, pre-vacation checkup.

What’s involved in a pre-vacation checkup? Basically, the technicians go over your car from bumper to bumper with a fine-tooth comb, looking for anything that could create a safety hazard or might let you down while you’re away.

They’ll check the lights, wipers, and washers. Then they’ll get under the hood to make sure all the fluids are full, the filters are clean, and the battery terminals aren’t corroded.

They’ll put your car up in the air and check the tires, brakes, shocks, and exhaust. And they’ll look for anything that might be loose, worn, or damaged.

Of course, if you’d like, they’ll also take care of any maintenance services you’d like to have done before you go: oil changes, transmission services, tune-ups, fuel system services — anything you’d like to do to make sure your car is ready to handle the demands of a long trip.

As Chevy Chase taught us, the road can be a cruel mistress. To avoid problems, your best bet is to make sure your car is safe and ready for sustained travel. Your friends at your nearby Cottman center are here to help.