Worried About Your Brakes? Do These Two Things
Posted on: 14 May 2019
Having a vehicle with faulty brakes could cause you to get into a serious accident. Unfortunately, many drivers don't know how to identify problems with their brakes or how to maintain them. By properly acting on warning signs, you can help ensure that your car is safe on the road.
Have Your Brakes Cleaned
One way that you can maintain your brakes is to have them cleaned by a mechanic. This is necessary due to how dirt and debris can collect on the brake pad surface, which can make them less effective at stopping your car.
The process of cleaning your brakes is much more complicated than you might think it is. It involves disassembling the brakes so that every part can be individually cleaned. If you see a product at a local auto part store that says it will clean your brakes by spraying on a special cleaning solution, know that these products won't do the job as well as a professional brakes service. Those sprays often cause corrosion, which can actually make the calipers and rotors break down prematurely.
Know The Early Warning Signs
A common problem that you may experience with your brakes is overheating, which is why it's so important to be able to identify this problem early on. If ignored, overheating can cause your calipers and brake pads to warp, which can make your brakes malfunction. One warning sign is a burning odor from the tires that have the brakes. The smell may even get into the car and cause you to wonder what's burning when driving. You also may notice that the performance of your brakes has been decreasing over time. This can be due to a misalignment causing a lot of friction.
Another issue that you can run into with your brakes is vibration when applying the brakes. This means that the brake pads are wearing unevenly and need to be replaced. When pressing down on the brake pedal, you may notice that it behaves differently than it used to, causing the pedal to have more give to it instead of feeling firm when you press down on it. The car may even pull to the left or right side of the road when you apply pressure to the brake, which is a sign of uneven brake pad wear.
When in doubt about your brakes, reach out to a mechanic at shops like Dualtone for assistance.
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