Are you feeling a bit uneasy when your auto mechanic recommends a brake replacement because the master cylinder on your brakes has failed?  How can he tell?  Or is he just trying to sell you an add-on job to the other repairs on your car.  How do you know if he is doing his job correctly and looking after your best interests and your safety, rather than taking you for a ride with a brake replacement?

Master Cylinder Troubleshooting Tips:

One sign that a master cylinder is starting to fail is that you will notice a soft or squishy feeling when you press down on the brake pedal.  As constant pressure is maintained on the pedal (like at a stop light), it will begin to sink to the floor as the brake fluid leaks internally to the master cylinder.  This is called "extended travel." You may have to "pump" the pedal to regain normal pressure and keep the car from moving forward as the brakes slowly release. The red warning dash light should come on to indicate low fluid, or excessive movement "travel."

Read more: Brake Replacement: Master Cylinder Troubleshooting for Brakes!

At some point in time, it’s inevitable that some form of transmission service will be required for your vehicle, whether it’s a manual or automatic.  If you are having transmission problems, a trusted, well-qualified auto mechanic can determine the precise cause.  Those strange noises coming from your vehicle may be a sign that a transmission repair will be required sooner rather than later.

4 signs of trouble:

1. Leaking Fluid.   Without the proper quantity of transmission fluid, the transmission pump and other components can quickly begin to wear out.  Making sure that the pump and filter are working properly is part of the transmission service needed to maintain the life of a vehicle.  Just like oil, transmission fluid and filters need to be replaced periodically to keep a car’s motor running smoothly and at optimal efficiency.

   Read more: Transmission Repair: 4 top signs of transmission trouble!