Will Your brakes be there?

Ask almost any automobile owner what their greatest fear of a mechanical failure on their vehicle would be and they will probably say, A brake failure. Yet only a small amount of drivers ask to have their brakes checked.  Most drivers do not understand their brake systems on their vehicles.  Brakes depend on hydraulics to activate and friction between the brake pads, the brake rotors, the ties and the road surface.  How well you are able to stop depends on the condition and quality of the above elements.  A poorly operating master cylinder, worn brake linings, rotors, or even worn tires will affect how well you will stop in an emergency situation.

How do you know when it's time to have your brakes looked at?  If your brakes squeal, make a grinding noise, or if you feel vibration or grabbing when applying your brakes, it's time to see a reputable repair shop.  If your brake pedal feels low or spongy you may be low on brake fluid or have a leak in the system.  Brakes can last 60,000 km or more, or they might need replacement after 10,00 to 15,000 km depending on the quality of friction materials used, vehicle weight, and driving habits.  Don't let this simple maintenance item slide, or the next sound you hear could be the crash of a collision.

For those of you who want to get maximum life from your brakes here are some tips to extend brake life.  Some may sound ridiculous, but they do apply to some drivers:  
  • Don't race up to stop signs and slam on the brakes.
  • Don't ride your brakes - use your right foot on the gas and don't rest your left foot on the brake pedal while you drive because this will confuse the drivers behind you, since your brake lights will be on all the time and they'll have no warning when you really want to stop.
  • Don't stay really close to the car in front of you so you have to be on your brakes a lot to match every little change in speed.
  • Don't ignore those warning signs, like chirping brakes or grinding noises.  A simple pad replacement could then become a full replacement of rotors and linings and cost hundreds of dollars more.
Can you economize on brake jobs?  Absolutely.  We at Buehler Automotive & Transmission suggest a simple five point program that could save you hundreds of dollars over the life of your car.
  1. Preventative maintenance.  Every 10,000 km or so, when you get your tires rotated, have your brakes inspected.
  2. Don't neglect your parking brake.  Using it regularly will keep the cable from seizing up and will reduce your need for repairs.
  3. Install quality parts and materials.  Cheap stuff is a false economy that you'll pay more for in more frequent brake jobs and inferior performance.
  4. Driving techniques.  Keep a buffer of space between you and the car in front, and use it to slow down on the engine so you don't have to use the brakes as often.
  5. System flush.  Once a year, have a full brake inspection, including all lines and hoses, and replace the brake fluid with fresh fluid.
 If you have any questions or concerns about the braking system on your vehicle, drop by Buehler Automotive & Transmission or call us for an appointment at (519) 846-9221.  We will be happy to help you.