Along with an oil change, ask for a brake inspection. This is cheap insurance for preventing brake difficulties. Wear is normal for brake parts. In converting the car’s motion to heat, friction force causes great heat, which must be dissipated. When you press the brake pedal, brake pads are forced against a rotor. This action changes the kinetic energy of motion to heat. Besides slowing your car, a small amount of pad and rotor material is lost. The factory specifies a wear limit; components past these limits will be replaced with factory-fresh parts. Everyone’s brakes wear at different rates depending on how aggressively you use your brakes. Because of individual differences between drivers, frequent brake inspections ought to be a priority. The following symptoms can often accompany developing brake problems:
- Brake warning light on dashboard
- Steering wheel or brake pedal vibration
- While braking, squealing or screeching noise
- Pulling left or right while braking
- Burning smell
- Grinding noise
- Should you encounter these, bring your car in for service straight away.
Brake fluid needs regular drain & fill replacement. Brake fluid transfers your pedal force to the pads located at each wheel, giving you the braking action you want. When you brake, the friction heat ends up in the brake fluid, so it needs a high boiling point. Since the braking system must be open to the atmosphere, brake fluid absorbs water from the air, increasing the boiling point of the brake fluid. Moisture in the brake fluid results in a lowering of the boiling point of the brake fluid. Also, water in the fluid instigates internal brake part corrosion. Brake fade may result from continuous braking traveling downhill. Old, water-containing brake fluid may boil under these conditions. Driving in hot climates makes this situation worse. Brake fade happens when your brake pedal travels further to accomplish the same amount of braking. When the pedal goes to the floor, the brakes fail (ineffective brakes). If frequent hard braking is your norm, you may benefit from DOT 4 fluid; it has a higher boiling point. Regular brake inspections are as necessary as routine oil changes. Brake fluid drain & fill service is equally important. Wheel speed sensors send information to the ABS and stability control systems. These systems prevent loss of control by limiting wheel lockup. Our mechanic ensures they operate correctly in the process of a brake inspection. Finally, we will adjust the emergency brakes as necessary. Slack must be removed from the hand (emergency) brake system as the brakes wear for correct operation. At M & R Automotive, we have dedicated brake repair technicians. Call or visit our website to get a quote and book an appointment for a brake inspection or any required service.
