How Preventative Maintenance Can Save Your Brakes
As a driver, your brakes just seem like a pedal on the floor of your car. But they are so much more than that — they make up an intricate system that needs preventative maintenance to ensure the safety of you and your vehicle.
How Brakes Work
When you hit the brakes, a lever pushes a piston into the master cylinder. The cylinder is filled with fluid that multiplies the force of your foot (surprise, surprise — the strength of your foot alone can’t stop your car). This force is transmitted to the brakes which transmit this force to the tires to make your vehicle stop.
As you can see, there are a lot of elements at play in the brake system. So it’s really no surprise that this complex mechanism needs routine care and maintenance to stay in tip top shape.
How to Maintain Your Brakes
Brake Service
You should have your brakes serviced every 20,000 miles. Brake services include an inspection where the brakes are measured for wear, the brake fluid is tested, the emergency brake is checked, and any problems can be discovered and fixed. Getting your brakes serviced is particularly important if you are experiencing any symptoms of brake damage, such as:
Grinding and squeaking
The wheel wobbling or the car drifting as you brake
Having to press harder than usual to stop
But even if you aren’t having issues, regular brake service can help you avoid them. By checking your brakes thoroughly every 20,000 miles, you can keep yourself safe and save money on future repairs.
Brake Replacement
Did you know you need to replace your brakes periodically, even if you aren’t having noticeable problems? Brakes experience extensive wear and tear over time, and as any driver knows, having good brakes can be a matter of life and death. So even though your brakes may seem okay, getting them replaced every 50,000 miles is vital to staying safe. Brakes are your first line of defense when driving, so it only makes sense to swap them out after lots of use.
Work With Technicians You Can Trust
The health of your brakes is crucial. Caring for your brakes is not the time to cut corners — saving a couple of bucks at a cheap auto shop may seem nice at the moment, but that’s not going to matter if the work is shoddy and leads to disaster.
So how do you know you can trust an auto shop? Look for a place with ASE-certified technicians — that’s a must. A shop that offers a warranty is also a good sign, and places with free second opinions are probably not out to nickel and dime you, either.
At Auto Correct, we offer all of the above. Contact us today to set up an appointment to have your brakes checked and keep your car safe!
