Going up hills in winters or for summer vacation is everyone’s priority, no matter what your age is. But before hitting on the road you should always vary on how well your car brakes are behaving. Especially if you’re traveling in winters, there’s quite a chance of snow and ice on the roads, so you must ensure your brakes are properly maintained.
When your car slows down in heavy traffic or you stop at a red light, your brakes are fully engaged. With consistent usage of the brakes, there’s quite a chance of wear and tear over time due to friction, resulting in ineffectiveness. Frail breaks not only reduce the longevity of your vehicle but can also prove fatal for you and your dear ones.
Why Preventive Brake Maintenance Helps?
The braking system of a vehicle may seem complex but it is pretty simple to maintain. If you own a vehicle, you should at least have general knowhow of your car’s braking system. It is always important to examine each component of your car’s braking system now and then. This way you’ll be aware of what is going on inside your vehicle’s braking system, and if any part feels frailer you can take the necessary preventive measures before it contributes to an unfortunate collision on the road. The braking parts that need your constant care are the master cylinder, brake lines, brake pads. Rotors and calipers.
Though the cars come with a recommended schedule for brake maintenance, you should at least check them every 10,000 miles to 15000 miles if not early. Here’s more on how keeping an intense eye on these preventive brake maintenance directions can help you stay safe on the road and prolong your car’s life as well.
If you are a professional driver, then it is important to keep your brakes in top condition. A recent study by popular mechanics found that failing to properly maintain your brakes can lead to a decrease in fuel economy and increased wear and tear on the vehicle. By following a few simple tips, you can help ensure that your brakes are functioning properly and keeping you and your passengers safe.
1. Upkeeping the Braking System
One of the most effective and foremost ways of preventing the wear and tear of your car’s braking system is managing the workload. You can upkeep the performance of your car’s braking system by avoiding redundant braking. Carrying too much weight and then applying the brakes too late or with a heavy foot deteriorates your braking system a lot faster than it usually does.
Another aspect is breaking in wet weather, be it due to rain or heavy snow. You should always avoid driving in such weather unless something important. Applying too many brakes continuously worsen your braking parts and result in the inefficacy of your car’s braking system.
2. Brake Pads & Rotors
Checking on brake pads and rotors regularly is always a must as these are the point of contact between your car’s braking system and the wheels. They both are more likely to deteriorate easily than any other part of the braking system. It is important to keep a check on the condition of the pads. The friction between the pads and tires results in heat, and hence tears down the brake pads. If you notice a lack of grip while applying the brakes, or the car is taking a lot more time and power to stop, you should have a look at your brake pads and rotors. All you need to do is simply remove the tire to examine the wear. If you notice any wear and tear, you should immediately replace it, or get a brake repair service.
3. Flushing Brake Fluids
Every car’s braking system banks on a hydraulic liquid, commonly known as brake fluid. It flows through the brake lines providing the power required to stop a vehicle. It absorbs moisture from the air and starts to degrade over time. Hence, it gets necessary to flush out the brake fluid and replace it. Changing the fluid frequently keeps your braking system function smoothly. If you notice a milky or thinner quality brake fluid, it means it’s time to change it. Though you can change the brake fluid every one or two years, every vehicle has its own recommended time duration for better performance.
4. Bleeding the Brake Lines
If you continually keep a check on your braking system and have gone through everything but still, you’re unable to find the issue, you should try bleeding the brake lines. Some of the air particles get trapped in the brake lines and slowly start to build up in quantity, resulting in blocking the flow of brake fluid through the brake lines. The trapped air inside the brake lines reduces the effectiveness of your braking system.
Bleeding the brake lines will remove the excess air. You can bleed the system by pressing the brake pedal and regulate the bleeder valve. Doing it every couple of years will ensure the smooth performance of your braking system.
5. Upgrading the Braking Parts
A braking system is one of those parts of a vehicle which always remains underused. Due to this endless usage, the parts get deteriorated swiftly and reduce the effectiveness of your car’s braking system. You should see it as an opportunity to upgrade to the latest and high-performance braking parts. Upgrading or replacing brake parts not only improves the overall performance of your braking system and results in a prolonged life of your car but also guarantees your safety.
6. Financially Viable
The friction while applying the brakes causes brake pads to weaken with time, and you’ll have to replace them time and again. And since it is one of the basic preventative maintenance measures for your braking system, it will make you spend some money now and then. But an average brake pad replacement will cost you around $100 to $200, depending on your repair shop. It seems a lot at the moment, but what if you neglect it and it further damages your braking system? It may go on to cost you around $300 to $1000, and the same goes for replacing a brake rotor, which ranges from $400 to $600.
Summing it Up
As the saying goes, “Care is better than the cure”, keeping a strict check of your car’s braking system can help you prevent many of the upcoming deathtraps. Taking preventive maintenance steps for your car’s brakes guarantee your brakes are functioning efficiently and perfect working brakes ensure the safety of both; you and the people around you on the road.
