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As one of the top safety features of your vehicle, it's important to take good care of brakes. But how do you know whether or not your brakes need servicing?
How Brakes Work
When we refer to the "brakes" in our cars, it's common to just envision a single pedal. In reality, brakes include a full system.
When you put your foot on the pedal, fluid is pushed through tubes that connect to the tires. When this happens, the brake pads are pushed against the rotors or metal discs connected to the wheels. This creates friction that causes the car to slow down. Some rear tires may use drum brakes instead of rotors.
If the quality of the brake pads, rotors, and drums are not maintained, the brake system may not be effective.
Signs to Look Out For
If your brakes are in need of repair or maintenance, they will usually tell you. Many cars come with warning lights that will go off if an issue is detected. However, this mechanism is not 100% reliable. You should get your brakes checked if:
- Your brakes are making a squealing noises
- It takes a long time for the brake to slow down the car
- You have to use a lot of force to use the brake
There are certain actions that wear out your brakes faster. To preserve the lifeline of your brakes, you should avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal and driving on roads with many sharp turns. If you ever witness one of these signs, be sure to get your brakes checked.
When to Get My Brakes Checked
Some car manuals come with information on when to get brakes checked. In general, you should get them inspected at around 4-6 months or 5k to 7k miles. This assessment guarantees the safety of the vehicle.
The brake pad and shoe should be replaced anywhere between 20k and 60k miles. Your rotor should also be checked or replaced at this time.
If you need brake repair or service performed, we invite you to bring your vehicle into our auto repair shop today!