Every vehicle component is important in its own right, but you could argue that the brakes are the most crucial part of any vehicle. Since the different types of brakes are responsible for stopping your car, you put yourself, your passengers and other drivers on the road in jeopardy when you drive with shoddy brakes.
The best way to ensure your brakes are in good health is to schedule routine brake maintenance. After bringing in your vehicle, a mechanic can tell you whether your brakes need to be repaired or replaced.
What does brake maintenance involve?
Understanding the importance of brake maintenance is just as important as knowing what maintenance entails. Here are the things covered in brake maintenance that aren’t included in a standard tune-up:
- Pad and rotor inspection: Friction between the tires and brakes wears down the pads and rotors over time. You can perform a quick inspection yourself by removing the tires, but this is a time-consuming process that’s best left to the pros.
- Brake fluid flush: Brake fluid attracts moisture, causing significant damage to your braking system and reducing your stopping power. This fluid should be replaced every 25,000 miles, but you should see a specialist ASAP if you notice pools of brake fluid under your parked car.
- Brake line bleeding: Along with flushing out the brake fluid, your mechanic will remove all the excess air from the brake line. This should be performed every two years to ensure your brakes are as efficient as possible.
- Part upgrade or replacement: Your brake maintenance appointment might also find that it’s time to replace and upgrade different components of your braking system. Higher-end ceramic pads or slotted disc brakes improve the longevity of your system and improve braking performance.
Signs that it’s time to repair your brakes
Brake repair might be in order before you spend the money on upgrading different types of brakes. Here are a few signs that it’s time to bring your vehicle in for brake repairs or replacement:
- Dashboard indicator light: Looking at your dashboard is the easiest way to tell that your brakes are going bad. An illuminated anti-lock braking system (ABS) light means that something’s amiss with the brakes and your vehicle needs professional assistance.
- Strange sounds: As the brake pads wear down, they can start to make squealing noises as you try to slow down. If the squealing isn’t addressed soon, you’ll start to hear grinding noises, indicating that the pads are completely gone.
- Spongy brakes: Some brakes can be less touchy than others, but you need to see a professional if you have to slam the pedal all the way to the floor to stop your car. Spongy brakes often mean it’s time for brake repair, but you might just have fluid in your brake line.
How are your brakes holding up?
If you’ve noticed any of the signs above, make an appointment with our team at A2Z Complete Car Care. We’ll check for all the signs that it’s time to repair your brakes, and we’ll make any necessary repairs as quickly as possible.