Maintaining Good Brake Maintenance
Your brakes are one of the most important safety features of your car but if not properly maintained they may give out on you when you need them the most. That is why it is important to have your brakes checked annually, as part of a regular inspection of your car, to ensure they are in good working order. But even a car that is regularly cared for and maintained can have brake problems.
Brakes wear out just like everything else but sometimes regular inspections can let you know the part is wearing out and give you warning to save for the replacement cost. Sometimes brake life can be extended with some minor repairs instead of a major brake repair job so the time spent on yearly inspections can pay for itself in the long run.
There are many indicators that your brakes are going out. One of the biggest indicators that something is wrong with your brakes is a loud squealing noise when you apply the brakes. This noise of metal on metal is pretty hard to ignore and is often the main reason people take their cars in for a brake repair job recognizing that they are driving with faulty brakes.
Other common complaints include brakes that don’t feel like they are grabbing when you push down on the pedal and are often described as spongy feeling brakes. This potentially dangerous condition can be caused when the hydraulic fluid in your brake line is low and your efforts to apply the brakes is not creating enough friction or force to cause the wheels to get the message to stop turning. Check your brake fluid level and see if this is the problem. If your brake fluid is low you may be able to avoid any costly brake repair bill by simply having brake fluid added. However make sure to have your mechanic check for leaks to make sure your brake lines are in good condition if you do encounter low brake fluid levels just to be on the safe side.
When it comes to brake repair jobs you will find that the most common type of brake repair is to replace worn out brake pads or brake shoes. This is also the cheapest repair to make and if you are mechanically inclined it is possible to do it yourself and save some money. If you are not skilled in automotive repair replacing any part of your brakes may not be the place for you to learn your new skill on since any mistake can be deadly.
Eventually you may end up with more costly brake repair issues such as replacing the rotors or drums but with regular maintenance you may be able to have them professional “turned” to grind down the rough spots that occur from normal wear and tear and extend the life of your brakes a bit more. Eventually there isn’t enough left to grind down and you will have to replace them.
