Things You Should Know About The Brakes On Your Car Or Truck
by Kent Alvarez
Brakes are one of the most overlooked systems on most cars but are one of the most crucial. Often, drivers assume the brake system is functioning until there is a problem, and the performance starts to fall off. However, regular maintenance is necessary to ensure the brakes work when you need them.
Brake Service
The interval for brake service is not a clear milestone, so people forget about the brake system until they notice a problem. There are often warning signs to watch for, but servicing the brake system should be part of the regular maintenance program, just like changing the oil or rotating the tires.
When you take your vehicle in for maintenance, you can ask the tech or service shop to look at the brakes while the tires are off during a tire rotation or while the car is on the lift having an oil change. A visual inspection of the brake pads and rotors takes just a minute, and if the vehicle is older and still has drum brakes on the ear, pulling the drums off to look at the pads inside is easy.
Pads And Rotors
The brake pads and rotors on the front end of your car do about seventy percent of the work, so you may find the most wear and tear on the front is higher than on the rear. The front pads and rotors often need replacing several times before the rear pads start to show any wear, but the entire brake system should still undergo inspection at the same time.
When your pads are wrong and need replacing, you may notice the vehicle taking longer to stop, or the pedal may feel soft when you apply pressure. Replacing the parts with new or aftermarket pads and rotors made to fit your brake system is fine for most vehicles, and it can help reduce the cost.
Air And Brakes
Another common problem with brakes that are not maintained regularly is air in the hydraulic lines, blocking the ability of the oil or fluid to do its job. A single air bubble can block fluid flow to the brake caliper or wheel cylinder and cause that brake to underperform or stop working altogether.
Bleeding the air from the lines is a big job that is easier if you have the right tools to pull the air out of the system. Your mechanic can tell you if there is air in the lines based on how the brakes are acting, and they can remedy the problem quickly to ensure that the brakes continue to function and the vehicle remains safe to drive.
For more information, visit a website such as https://www.lakesideradiatorandautorepair.com/.
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About Me
When I was a teenager, my dad taught me to care for my car well. After I grew up and started a family of my own, I taught my teenager how to take care of his car, and I thought he was listening to everything I said. One day, he told me his car was "acting funny" and asked me to take a look at it. I asked him when he last changed the oil. He then told me that he had never changed it after he bought the car almost two years before! I am very grateful his lack of car maintenance did not get him injured, but it could have. I know there are a lot of other young people out there who neglect their cars, so I decided to make a blog to share auto tips and help everyone stay safer on the road!
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