“SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!” No, that’s not meant to be the sound of a fire alarm or an extremely annoyed owl. That, friends, is the sound of brakes that need to be replaced. While it’s easy to forget about them, the brakes are one of the most important parts of your vehicle, and keeping them maintained is vital to your safety on the road! 

Fortunately, you don’t have to wait until your brakes are totally worn down before you know there’s a problem. (In fact, please don’t do that!) We’re teaching you how to know when to replace your brakes by paying attention to these 3 telltale signs. 

The Sad Song of the Worn Out Brakes

As mentioned above, if you hear a loud, high pitched shriek when you pump the brakes, you may have a problem (but don’t panic). Your wheels are designed with an indicator that will make a loud noise when your brakes are starting to go. The sound is caused by the indicator (a small metal shim) coming into contact with the rotors, and the purpose is to alert you that you need to examine your brakes. Of course, sometimes there are other clues that your brakes may be on their last legs. 

Watch Out for Changes in Handling

Your car may also be warning you of fading brakes if you notice changes in the way it handles on the road. For instance, if your brakes are suddenly less responsive than normal, or if you feel like the pedal is sinking to the floor, you need to do some investigating. You could have a brake fluid leak or an air leak in the brake hose. 

You should also be wary of “pulling” – when you feel like your car wants to pull to one side or the other. This can be caused by a number of factors, including contaminants in the brake fluid or unevenly worn-down brake pads. 

Not-So-Good Vibrations

Another common sign that you need to replace your brakes is when you feel a vibration coming from the brake pedal. This is generally caused by warped rotors or when your car is out of alignment. The vibration you feel is the brake pads not being able to adequately grab the surface of the rotor. Often a result of driving down steep inclines or towing heavy loads, if you do feel these vibrations when the anti-lock brakes are not engaged, you may need to make regular stops to allow the brakes to cool off from the excessive friction and heat. Not doing so will further warp your rotors. 

If you do need to replace your brakes, don’t worry. We have the used auto parts you need to keep your car running smoothly without breaking the bank! Contact us if you have any questions; our friendly team is here to help you with all of your DIY car repair needs.

Savvy car owners know that we’re the best place to go for used auto parts in Atlanta. Here at our Norcross salvage yard, we buy junk cars and sell the oftentimes gently used parts to customers for use in DIY car repairs, restoring classic cars, etc. But while many home mechanics know the benefits of buying used auto parts, not as many people know that when you buy tires at a salvage yard, you can get great tires for a fraction of the price of new ones! 

Just as a car depreciates the moment you drive it off the lot, buying brand new tires at retail prices means you’re paying a huge markup. If, like many folks, you do DIY car repairs and maintenance to save money, that’s probably not what you want to hear. So, ready to learn why you should buy tires at a salvage yard? Here we go! 

Should you buy used tires from a salvage yard? 

The treads on tires are what create traction on the road; however, those treads wear down over time and tires will eventually need to be replaced. When treads are worn down too low (aka “bald”), your tires have less traction, which puts you at risk of a tire blowout, hydroplaning, or loss of control. 

Typically, the tread on tires will wear down in about three years, but there are many factors that can affect the wear and tear on tires, from inflation level (Driving with low air pressure can cause uneven wear and cause your tires to fail more quickly!) to miles driven and even road conditions. To see if your tires are still good to go, use this simple trick. 

1. Grab a penny.
2. Place the penny into the groove of your tire, upside down with Abraham Lincoln facing you. 
3. If the ridge of the tire tread blocks the top of Abe’s head, your tires still have enough tread left. If you can see the top of his head, your tires are worn out and it’s definitely time to replace them! 

So, should you buy tires from a salvage yard? Only if you want a great deal! Keep in mind that tires are designed to withstand harsh conditions, from road surfaces to temperature fluctuations to severe weather, not to mention the weight of your vehicle itself. Sitting outside in a salvage yard is no problem for them, because it’s really no different than sitting in a driveway or parking lot. 

Oftentimes a car is sold to us because it was totaled in an accident or needs costly repairs, from dead transmissions to crumpled body panels. The tires are rarely the problem, which means someone else’s misfortune can be your lucky day. You can find gently-used tires with hardly any miles on them if you know what to look for, so use the penny trick above and hunt down a deal at U Wrench It! Search our inventory to see what makes and models we have on the lot, and good luck with your DIY car repairs. 

Is your car classic, or just old? If you’re wondering whether your “vintage” vehicle is worth anything, read on for some tips from your fellow car enthusiasts here at U Wrench It, your source for used auto parts in metro Atlanta. 

How to Tell If an Old Car Is Valuable

According to some insurers, cars made between 1900 and 1979 can be considered “Antique” or “Classic,” while cars made in or after 1980 are called “Collector” cars. Regardless of the label, here are some ways to tell if your old car is valuable.

• It was expensive when first purchased; especially if it was produced in limited quantities. If you have an old vehicle that was high end back in the day, it’s very likely that there are still collectors around who would love to get their hands on it. Even if it’s not in perfect condition, you may still be able to get a pretty penny by selling it for parts. Antique/classic/collector car enthusiasts often look to scrap yards and auto salvage yards for hard-to-find used auto parts. 
• It is distinctive, unique, or has cultural cachet. Not all classic or collector cars were considered luxury vehicles at the time of launch. Some cars have cult followings, like the Mazda RX-7, Subaru SVX, or the AMC AMX. Others, like VW Beetles and Buses, are iconic even today and as such are still sought after by collectors, who may be looking for project cars or even just parts. 
• It’s in perfect condition and/or the mileage is extremely low. Even if your old car is not particularly sought-after, if it’s in great shape and the mileage is low it almost certainly has value. 

Whether you’re looking to get what you can out of an old junker or want to rid your garage of a classic vehicle that’s just going to waste, U Wrench It can help you convert your car into cash. Give us a call today if you’re looking to sell old cars in Atlanta! 

Buying a car is a big financial decision, even if you’re buying a used car. While some people insist on a brand new car fresh off the lot, price-savvy consumers know that you can save a lot of money buying your car used and still end up with a beautiful, clean, high quality vehicle. You can also save money on insurance, depreciation, and even taxes and registration by purchasing a used car. But how do you know that you’re getting a good deal and not a lemon? Below, we share some tips on how to buy a used car. 

Choose the right used car model

Some models are more reliable than others, so do your research and find out what type of cars have the best track records for longevity and maintenance. When looking for a reliable used car, keep in mind the prevalence of that model. If you choose a model that is more common, it will be easier to find used auto parts for any repairs you may need down the road. 

Run a background check

Look, you wouldn’t hire someone off the street without running a background check on them, so why would you purchase a car you know nothing about? After all, you’re auditioning this car to be your ride-or-die, your constant companion, your home-away-from-home! There are lots of ways to get the backstory on a car these days using the VIN number found on the driver side door jamb, like CarFax. 

Don’t judge a book by its cover

If you’re looking for a good deal on a used car, keep an eye out for cars that just need a little TLC to achieve their potential. If you’re interested or experienced in DIY car repairs, you may be able to fix up your new-to-you ride for very little money by shopping for used auto parts at U Wrench It in Norcross. 

Most of us spend a lot of time in our cars; in fact, your car can start to feel like a mobile second home, especially if you have a long commute. Unfortunately, that also means that your car can pick up the aromas of whatever you’ve brought into it, be it greasy french fries or sweaty gym clothes. Read on to learn how to get smells out of your car from the team at U Wrench It. 

The best cure is prevention. The second best cure? Baking soda. 

The best way to keep your car from smelling is to not give smells the chance to enter in the first place – no eating, smoking, sweaty clothes, wet dogs, etc. But hey, life happens! Step one is to remove whatever caused the smell in the first place, whether it’s french fries under the seat or a gym bag in the trunk. 

Next up, give the car a good and thorough vacuuming. Remove the floor mats and really get in there with the detailing attachments on your vacuum cleaner. Then, sprinkle the carpet and upholstery with baking soda and let it sit for thirty minutes to an hour. It should absorb most of the odor, and you can simply vacuum it up and enjoy a fresher-smelling car. 

How to get smoke smells out of your car

Whether you smoke, you purchased a car from a smoker, or maybe you just salvaged a used auto part that smells like smoke, it can be annoying and challenging to get the smoke smell out of your car. Fortunately, there are several things you can try. 

• Spray unscented Lysol in the AC vents while your car is on, with the AC blowing at full blast with recirculation OFF. 
• Shampoo carpet and upholstery with carpet cleaner.
• Leave a box of baking soda or charcoal in the car to absorb odors.
• Use an ozone generator.

Replace your air filter.

If you’ve detailed the inside of your car and it still smells funky, there’s one more simple fix you can try – replacing your air filter!

Whatever your DIY car repair goals may be, you can find a huge selection of used auto parts in Atlanta at U Wrench It. Check out our inventory online or stop by to chat with our friendly team.