There's Fluid In Them There Brake Lines!

Remember that murder mystery you watched growing up? The one where the victim was in a terrible accident because someone cut the brake lines? What does that mean to you? Allow me. Most of the brake lines on your vehicle are likely made of rigid metal tubing that runs from the master cylinder under your hood to each wheel well of the car. Often the metal line will connect to a rubberized hose that continues the journey to your calipers, unless you have drum brakes. When you push the brake pedal, the master cylinder pushes against the fluid in the lines, causing the caliper or wheel cylinder to react and pushing the brake linings against the friction surface. If the lines were cut, there would be no reaction at the wheels to the action at the brake pedal. How should you maintain this system? Other than the obvious need for good brake linings and friction surfaces, the brake fluid should be flushed every so often as it, like other fluids, breaks down over time. Most auto shops can test the condition of your brake fluid with copper content test strips. Maintaining this system can prevent nature from cutting your brake lines!

Nitrogen & You!

You may have green caps on your valve stems. More and more frequently new cars are rolling off the lot with Nitrogen in their tires. Some tire shops offer it, so what does it do? Well the theory goes that the Nitrogen molecules are ever so slightly larger than those of the oxygen in air, so they won't escape through the rubber as quickly and easily as air. The marketing also suggests that the tire pressure will be more stable throughout temperature ranges. Not only does this mean ambient temperatures, tires heat up significantly under heavy strain. Aircraft undergo extreme cold and loads and use Nitrogen. Nascar uses Nitrogen in their tires, where temps can exceed 90 degrees C. Maintaining tire pressures at these temperature extremes is integral to the success and safety of all involved. Maybe your car doesn't see such stresses, but theoretically a maintained tire pressure will improve fuel mileage over the long haul. The added benefit that some marketing references is a reduction of oxidation of the tire inner liner. This could also ring true on untreated surfaces of wheels within the tire, and on TPMS components which may be sensitive to oxidation. Is it worth it? If the benefits are of value to you, then perhaps.