Brakes

Don’t Compromise on Safety:

• Your vehicle’s brakes are a critical safety component, and regular brake maintenance and repairs are essential.
• Neglecting your brakes can be costly and detrimental to the overall health of your vehicle.

Yearly Brake Checkup:

• Your brakes require a yearly checkup, similar to how you would visit a doctor for a physical examination.
• Proper brake maintenance is crucial to ensure safety, save money, and extend the life of your brakes.

Common Brake Issues and Warning Signs

Some common signs that your car’s braking system needs attention include:

• A spongy brake pedal
• A grinding sound when you press the brake pedal
• Squealing brakes
• The car pulling to one side when you brake
• The brake warning light illuminating
• The brake pedal being hard to press

Maintaining Your Brakes

It’s important to know the key parts and components of your vehicle’s braking system to ensure proper maintenance. Regardless of the car you drive, pay attention to these primary components:

• Master Brake Cylinder: Responsible for taking the signal from your brake pedal and transferring pressure to each wheel. Calipers or drum assemblies move to help slow and stop your vehicle.

• Brake Fluid Reservoir: This is where you’ll add brake fluid following brake changes or top off the fluid level.

• Brake Lines: Conduits for brake fluid that travel to each wheel and originate near the master cylinder.

• Brake Rotor: A spinning disc behind your wheel, compressed by brake pads to provide stopping power.

• Brake Pads: Two pads per rotor, pressing against the rotor when you apply the brake pedal.

• Calipers: Located around the rotor, responsible for moving the brake pads via an interior piston.

• Drum Brake Assembly: Typically found on the rear wheels, the drum assembly uses brake shoes that move outward toward the inner surface of the drum, creating friction to slow and stop the wheels.

Bad Driving Habits – The Silent Killer of Brakes

Regular fluid checks, periodic pad inspections, and other mechanical examinations are beneficial but may not be sufficient to counter the impact of bad driving habits. Proper maintenance and responsible driving practices work in tandem to ensure the safety and longevity of your vehicle’s braking system.