Most manufacturers recommend brake inspections every 10,000 miles. This is about a year’s driving. Have your brakes looked at immediately if:
-The pedal feels soft or bottoms out on the floor
-The warning light for the brake system illuminates
-The steering wheel vibrates while driving
-You hear squealing or grinding while driving
-A burning scent from the wheels
– Gouges on the rotors
Periodic brake inspections are compulsory to ensure your safety. We can fit a brake inspection in with another service, such as tire rotation, while you are here.
Here is what we will do on a brake inspection:
-There is a service limit for all mechanisms. When the master cylinder wears out, the entire brake system will not work as you desire. The brake pedal moves a piston in the master cylinder to compress brake fluid, creating pressure in the system. This pressure causes the brake pads, housed in the calipers at each wheel, to press against the rotors. If the brake pedal seems mushy, a new master cylinder may be needed. The dashboard brake warning light may warn of a bad master cylinder.
– Calipers clamp brake pads alongside the rotors. Brake pedal pressure, magnified and relocated
by way of the brake fluid, forces the brake pads against the rotors. Calipers absorb some of the
heat generated, but their performance worsens over time. Heat and contamination cause leaky
seals and seized calipers.
– Brakes operate by pressuring brake pads against rotors, circular pieces that turn with the wheels. Each time they’re used, pads wear. Depending on how you use your brakes, you may get 15-30,000 miles between pad replacements. We check pads against specifications during an inspection and recommend a course of action.
-When pads press against rotors, your car’s speed energy changes to heat. The rotors absorb much of this heat. Over time rotors wear down to a minimum size to safely absorb this heat. We will recommend replacement when they no longer meet the manufacturer’s specifications.
-Brake fluid absorbs some of the heat of braking. Being hygroscopic, brake fluid absorbs water. If you detect a springy brake pedal, there could be a leak, or the system may require bleeding. Rusty brake parts will result if you don’t have the fluid replaced at two-year intervals.
-We will inspect all brake lines for leaks and recommend replacement for those dry-rotted or leaking. A leaky hose lets air into the system and causes a spongy brake pedal.
-Power brakes are standard on modern cars. We will detect a bad brake booster when we test-drive your car.
Emergency brake adjustment finishes the brake service. We have brake service professionals on staff. Call us or visit our website to get a quote and book an appointment for a brake inspection or any service you require.
