Car Care Guide: Brake System

Safety first. It’s the most important thing when it comes to your vehicle. Your car’s brake system is one of the first lines of defense when it comes to safety.

Brakes face a significant amount of wear and tear as they do their duty. Certain road and weather conditions can speed up the deterioration process, too. It’s crucial that you stay on top of maintaining your brakes and head off any trouble before it starts.

Why do brakes need service?

Like all the components of your vehicle, your brakes need routine maintenance to stay in good condition. Your owner’s manual is a great place to start when you’re figuring out when to have your brakes serviced.

For example, it may suggest that you have your brake hydraulic system flushed and filled periodically. Contaminated fluid can cause your brakes to corrode which can lead to a lot of other issues. Caution: If you let your brakes get to the point that metal is scraping on metal, you’re going to be looking at expensive repairs, possibly of rotors and drums.

What does typical brake service look like?

Your trusted mechanic will be checking:
• Brake pads and shoes.
• Drums.
• Rotors.
• Master cylinders.
• Wheel cylinders.
• Brake hoses.
• Calipers.
• Brake fluid.
• Brake hardware.
If your drums and/or rotors have become thin, they may need to be resurfaced or totally replaced.

When you’re thinking about brake maintenance, many people forget about the parking brake. It should also be inspected and the shoes/pads may need to be replaced periodically.

Ask your mechanic

The next time you have your car in the shop for regular maintenance, consider asking him these questions:
• Can I do anything to help my brakes last longer?
• Is there any service that’s related to my brake system that can be performed while my brakes are being serviced?
• What does it mean when the brake warning light shows up on my dashboard?

Give your brake system proper care

Your brake system needs routine maintenance for a more important reason than just heading off a potential breakdown.

The safety of your passengers, yourself, and other people sharing the road with you are at stake, as well. Talk to the experienced mechanics at Conrad’s to keep your brakes in tip-top shape.

The helpful folks at your nearest location will help you stay on the right track.

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