Brake Repair: Tips to Ensure Your System Is Working Properly

Nov 29
10:01

2011

Aloysius Aucoin

Aloysius Aucoin

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Brake repair is something to look forward to. It will help you to know the condition of your braking system and give you the knowledge you need to get it safe.

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Brake repair is never fun but it should be something you look forward to having done. That's because it will help give you a feeling of reassurance that your vehicle is safe to operate at least from the braking system's standpoint. Every time you get into your car,Brake Repair: Tips to Ensure Your System Is Working Properly Articles you are counting on this important system to function properly. However, what you may not realize is that there are a dozen or more parts that much be working properly in order for your vehicle to stop the way you need it to when you need it to.

Annual Inspections

To ensure that your vehicle has the ability to stop properly, ensure you have the braking system inspected by a trained mechanic each year. You can do this, for example, around the time you have your registration and license updated so you remember to do so. This type of inspection is more complex and thorough than what happens during an oil change. Here, you want to ensure that the vehicle is working properly and that requires removing the wheels and looking at each part of the puzzle that makes it up. Then, have any brake repair done that is necessary.

Know the Warning Signs

Your vehicle is likely to tell you when there is a problem with its brakes. By paying attention to these signs, you can avoid many of the risk factors you will otherwise face if something does fail. For starters, always ensure that you monitor fluid levels. Many modern vehicles have interior alarms that will tell you if there is no fluid in the braking system. If not, you should also be mindful of any leaks that you see on your driveway or garage floor. Without brake fluid, and enough of it, your vehicle will not stop properly.

In addition to this, listen to your brakes when you stop your vehicle. Do you hear anything? You shouldn't. If you do, what type of sound is it? If it is a grinding sound, such as a metallic sound of metal rubbing up against metal, this could indicate a problem and you need to get it to a brake repair shop. Squeals and squeaks that do not go away within a few minutes are also problems that need attention. These sounds help indicate that there is a problem that needs addressing.

You also want to ensure that your pedal is responding to you as it always does. If you notice you have to pump the brake to get the vehicle to stop or that it takes longer for the vehicle to come to a complete stop, you may need to have your system inspected for additional problems. Do not take these warning signs for granted.
For many people, having brake repair is a tedious step but it does give you the confidence you need in your vehicle to know that when you need it to, it will stop properly.