Brakes aren’t something most people are keen on maintaining and often take them for granted.
Imagine this…
You drive on the road, the car in front of you slows down, you hit your pedal and your brakes function, ‘snap’ just like that...all the time!
But what you don’t realize is a lot of components work together for your brakes to function.
Therefore, it is important for you to maintain them for your safety and for the life of your vehicle.
Since most vehicles have disc brakes, let’s focus on how to maintain them in this useful guide.
4 Ways to Maintain Your Brakes
Knowing how to maintain your brakes is a must, but you also need to know how they function.
How Do Brakes Function?
A lever is moved by your foot. It then displaces a fluid, which is incompressible in nature.
It causes mechanical pinchers or calipers to squeeze the disc that is attached to your wheels and stops the motion by causing friction.
Brake pads are sandwiched between caliper and rotor, made from material to take maximum wear and tear.
1. Don’t Overuse Them
You may have already read a previous blog here about what to do when your brakes fail!
But do you know why they fail?
One of the reasons why brakes fail is overuse!
A heavy foot can decrease the life of your brakes, putting too much pressure or continuous pressure on the pedal increases the heat in the pads and rotors.
If the heat doesn’t get enough time to disappear, the brakes fade away.
2. Detect the Problem
People who drive regularly can immediately sense when there’s something wrong with the brake.
However, if you feel the vibration and the fact that it takes more force than usual, then that’s a give away that your brake needs work.
Another giver away is when you hear a high pitched noise while slowing down the car.
This would be the right time to get them checked.
You need to stay alert about the way your car responds to deceleration.
3. Load On Your Vehicle
Mostly, large vehicles and the ones designed for towing can have multiple braking systems.
A very common mistake people make is to think that even if one of the systems isn’t working they can rely on the other to handle the load.
Each vehicle is designed to handle a certain amount of load and the specifications are done as per that.
So, if you have completely loaded your vehicle and you are running on only one set of brakes, then there’s a chance the brakes will fail.
In such situations, overusing brakes results in failure.
4. Regular Servicing
You need to keep up with the servicing schedule mentioned in your owner’s manual.
Also, there are many apps now a days that can help you keep a tab on it.
If you aren’t sure when to replace your parts, then you should consult your mechanic for guidance.
Most manufacturers will recommend replacement if there is 1/8 inch or less of the pad lining remaining or at 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.
A&G Customs for Auto Repair
If you’re looking for the best auto repair shop in Doylestown, contact A&G Customs today.
They offer an extensive variety of automotive services including interior work, brake repair, inspections, auto bodywork, towing, inspections, restorations, custom paint, and general maintenance.
A&G Customs is your local one-stop auto repair shop in Doylestown.
You can reach them at 215 669 3072.