Your car’s braking system is one of its most important safety features. Good brakes enable you to slow down and stop safely. When the brakes go bad, they lack full stopping power and might completely fail. The better you maintain the brakes, the longer your vehicle’s braking system will last. Here’s how a good brake repair service can help you take good care of your car’s brakes.

Inspect and Change Brake Pads When Needed

Brake pads are one of the most important brake components because they contain the friction material that grips steel rotors on all four wheels to slow and stop your vehicle. Every time you use them, a little friction material wears off instead of degrading the steel brake rotors. According to AAA, brake pads have an average service life of between 30,000 and 40,000 miles. A local brake repair service can inspect and change yours.

Bleed and Replace Brake Fluid

Modern brakes are hydraulic systems with brake hoses running from a master cylinder to the brakes on all four wheels. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it removes moisture from humid air. The moisture and tiny amounts of air can enter all four brake hoses and reduce your braking power or cause the brake pads to stay in contact with the rotors. Bleeding the brake lines and replacing the brake fluid when needed ensures good braking power.

Turn or Replace Brake Rotors

If you wait until you hear metallic scraping sounds to get a brake repair service done, you have waited too long. The metallic scraping, scratching, and gouging noises are from metal rivets on worn brake pads contacting and damaging one or more brake rotors. A technician can inspect the rotors and turn them when possible to restore a flat braking surface or replace them with new ones.

Replace Defective Calipers or Master Cylinder

Brake calipers have one or more pistons that press brake pads against brake rotors when you want to slow down or stop. The calipers can develop defects and possibly leak fluid as they wear out. When calipers don’t work right, a technician can replace any defective calipers and restore full braking power. The master cylinder also might go bad, which could cause a complete loss of braking power if a technician doesn’t replace it.

As you can see, there are many ways to take care of your brakes. If you need assistance with brake services, rely on professionals. You can call or visit Al Huss Auto & Truck for a brake service on your vehicle.