Being on the road feels a lot safer when you have brakes that work. Before the rainy season or winter comes along, make sure to do routine checks on these five areas of your brake system to avoid any accidents.
1. Consistently Check Your Brake Pads
It’s important to constantly check on your brake pads and rotors to make sure everything is working smoothly. These parts require the most maintenance as they are quick to degrade. This is due to the constant friction it is up against.
A worn-down brake pad is dangerous on the road. To check for any wear and tear, simply remove your tire to take a look, just to see if everything is working well.
2. Make Necessary Upgrades to Brake Parts
If upon checking on your brakes, you do find some tears, you should upgrade them immediately. The longer you go without upgrading or replacing broken brake parts, the more you are at risk for roadside dangers.
If you have older vehicles, consider upgrading to new brake technology. Parts such as slotted disc brakes can be upgraded to more heat-resistant, quieter parts. Upgrading vehicle parts is not the cheapest, but it’s a worthwhile investment in your safety.
3. Monitor Your Brake Fluid
When observing your brakes, make sure to keep a close eye on your brake fluid. This is an essential component that enables brake pads and rotors to stop your vehicle altogether. Without it, your vehicle will likely not receive your signal to pump the brakes. This is very dangerous yet highly preventable.
You should pay special attention to your brake fluid. Not only does it need to be changed every 25,000 miles, but you also need to check whether it is corroding other brake parts. Liquids and metals don’t often mix well, so you have to make sure nothing attains rust.
If you notice that your brake fluid looks cloudy, that is the sign for you to replace it.
4. Remove Air from the Brake Line
When changing your brake fluid, you can also remove air from the brake line by bleeding it. Any excess air could disrupt the brake process, lowering its effectiveness. It’s important to remove the trapped air as frequently as you are able.
To do this, simply depress the brake pedal and adjust the bleeder valve. If you are not confident to do so on your own, a scheduled inspection with your local auto repair should do the trick. With their knowledge, they should be able to perform a thorough observation.
Make sure to bleed your system every 2-3 years to avoid any long-term damage.
5. Check up on Your Brake System
As much as possible, always check up on your brake system. Its performance depends upon the prevention of its deterioration.
There are several reasons why your brakes might not be working as effectively as they usually do. For instance, you might be putting too much pressure on it by either placing too much weight on it or braking unnecessarily. Too much exposure to moisture will also cause deterioration.
Make sure none of these affect your brake system and have regular brake inspections with your auto repair provider.
Conclusion
Brake maintenance is crucial to your road safety. How consistently you check up on your brake system could make (or brake!) your vehicle.
To help you out with any vehicle concerns, consult with Hoover Automotive. We are an auto repair service in Hoover, AL that will give you our honest assessment on any vehicle troubles. We provide brake service, oil change, engine repair, and more. Contact us today for professional brake inspections.