The Importance of Regular Brake Maintenance

Posted April 25, 2024

Modern cars, trucks, and SUVs are very well-designed, engineered, and built to last for potentially hundreds of thousands of miles. According to the Progressive insurance company, modern vehicles last about 200,000 miles when maintained and driven properly. Any vehicle with high mileage requires lots of maintenance and repairs on occasion to keep it in good condition. Vehicles have thousands of moving parts and several different mechanical systems that work in unison. The brake system is one of them, and here’s why it’s important to regularly maintain it.

Brakes Are Important for Safety

When a vehicle can run for that distance, it also needs maintenance to stop effectively. The brakes make it possible to control your vehicle’s speed and safely come to a stop as needed. Most brake systems have brake pads, a hardened steel rotor, and a caliper that presses the pads against the rotor on every wheel. A master cylinder and hydraulic lines enable the brake system to deliver stopping power to all four wheels at the same time. Without a well-maintained braking system, it’s dangerous to drive your vehicle.

Brake Pads Require Regular Replacement

Brake pads contain friction material that grips the brake rotors to give you all the stopping power needed while driving. The brake pads are designed to lose a tiny amount of friction material every time you use them to prevent damaging the brake rotors. Metal rivets secure the pads to a metal backing plate, which the calipers press against to make the pads firmly grip the rotors for safe stops. Those pads should be inspected annually and replaced when needed to keep your braking system in good shape.

Brake Fluid Goes Bad

Modern braking systems use hydraulic brake fluid to give you plenty of stopping power. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it can take moisture out of the air. The moisture winds up in the brake lines and affects the calipers. Bleeding the brake lines removes that water and any air bubbles that might have entered the calipers or brake lines. Then you have full stopping power that you can maintain with regular brake system maintenance.

If it’s been a while since the last inspection and maintenance service on your vehicle’s braking system, or the brakes are making noise, the brake pedal feels spongy, or your vehicle isn’t stopping as it should, you can visit our auto repair shop at Chase Automotive Repair to get them fixed and ensure many more safe stops.

Categories: Brakes

Tags: , Brakes