Do you want to avoid the expense of brake repair? While you cannot avoid it altogether, there are steps you can take to prevent unnecessary repairs to this important and expensive system.
While there is nothing you can do to completely avoid the need for occasional brake repair,
there are things you can do to lessen your need to fix this expensive component on your vehicle. Often, expensive problems with your brakes occur because they were not properly maintained. These maintenance steps will save you time and money in the long run.
First, make sure you have your brakes checked regularly by a competent mechanic. Some problems that can occur with braking systems simply show no outward signs until suddenly your brakes are not working. Having it checked regularly, at least once a year, will keep you safe.
Next, make sure your tires are in balance and have enough pressure. Too little pressure in the tires will cause unnecessary wear and tear on your brakes, leading to unneeded brake repair jobs.
Another maintenance task you can do is flushing your braking fluid. Try to do this every two years or 50,000 miles, and regularly check your brake fluid to make sure it is at the proper level at all times.
Take a look at your braking pads, and replace them if they become hard or blunt. A lack of proper braking pads will cause your brakes to wear out long before their time. This is a simple fix, even if you have to go to the mechanic, and will not cost much, but is well worth the investment.
If you can buy one or visit the mechanic to have this done, test the power of braking for each wheel using a meter or tester designed for this purpose. If you notice one of the wheels losing power, find out why.
Plan to change the braking shoe every four brake pads. This is slightly more expensive than changing the pads, but it is vital to keeping your brakes in proper working order.
Your braking lights are an important safety feature that is crucial to the use of your brakes, yet you might not know if one is out. When you check your brakes, also check the braking lights. If one is out, replace it promptly to avoid problems on the road.
If you are working on the brakes, do not try to modify the original system. This is always a recipe for expensive brake repair in the future. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer at all times.
Of course, even with all of the maintenance in the world, you will need to watch for problems. If your car is leaking braking fluid, taking a long time to stop, or braking particularly hard, you may have a problem. Also, grinding, squeaking, and squealing noises coming from the brakes mean a trip to the mechanic is in order.
Putting off brake repair is putting your safety at risk, so make sure you get help when you need it before problems get dangerous. Remember, having brakes that work is essential to your safety and the safety of those on the road with you, so do not make the mistake of putting off service for your brakes.
