Maintenance Tips For Keep Your Brakes In Top Shape
A functional and reliable braking system is an essential component of a car. If the stopping power cannot handle the speed and acceleration of a car, it puts the driver in high risk of accidents. Equally important as the stopping power is the amount of modulation in a braking system. You want a responsive set of brakes that allows you to slow down your car smoothly without a jerk stop. Brakes need proper maintenance and repair to perform optimally. Follow these effective tips to keep your car’s braking system in top shape and reliable at all times. #1 Inspect Your Brake Pads and Rotors The contact points in your braking system are the brake pads and rotors. When you apply the brakes on your car, the brake pads press on the rotor attached to the wheel slowing it down or stopping it. After repeated use, both the brake pads and rotors wear and deteriorate, with the pads considerably quicker and more so than the rotors. Once these components have worn beyond their usable life, replace them immediately. Have a habit of checking the wear line on your brake pads routinely. #2 Flush Your Brake Fluid When you apply the brakes on your car, it engages the braking systems by pressuring fluid from a master cylinder through brake lines that press on the brake pads housed in the calipers. A clean and uncontaminated brake fluid is needed to carry out this braking process effectively. At times, moisture manages to find its way inside the brake lines and contaminate the brake fluid which can cause failure and damage to the system. This can be indicated by cloudy or milky look on the brake fluid. It is best to flush and change the fluid when such signs are noticeable. As a rule of thumb, brake fluid should be changed after every 25,000 miles. #3 Bleed The Brake Lines Apart from water, air can enter the brake fluid lines causing reduced efficiency and even failure. Bleeding the brake lines removes these air pockets improving braking power and reliability. Bleeding can be easily done during a scheduled brake inspection and should be done at least once every two to three years.