Brake Repair Is An Important Component of Regular Car Maintenance
Think of brake repair as just another component of regular car maintenance. Since brakes operate quietly when they are at their best, those telltale sounds that let you know your brakes need repair are actually telling you that your brakes have been doing their job well and need a tune up to keep working properly. Your brakes have a few ways of alerting you. A brake light that goes on when the parking brake is disengaged indicates that your brake fluid level is too low. You will not miss the distinctive smell of brake fluid if a leak is present; likewise, have your brake fluid level checked if the fluid leaking underneath your car has a light amber color. Rotor surface issues will cause your brake pedal or wheel to vibrate. Brakes that need repair may squeal until you come to a full stop or when you release the brake pedal. That means that your brake wear indicators may be scraping against the rotors. The grinding and growling sound of metal on metal means only one thing: that your brake pads are completely worn away.
It is advisable to have a certified brake repair technician inspect your brakes on an annual basis, twice a year if you regularly do heavy hauling and towing work. Your brake repair technician should also inspect all metal to metal contact points to be sure that they are properly lubricated (and maintaining an effective barrier between the contact points) and inspect your brake fluid to be sure that there is no contamination from metal flakes or moisture. Contaminated fluid damages essential braking components. And, while we are on the subject of fluids, be aware that experts recommend that you not top off your brake fluid when the level drops. Too much fluid prevents your brake alert system from working when the pads wear down.
Tires should also be rotated every 5,000 to 7,000 miles to keep them from wearing unevenly. You need for your tires to be in top condition so that your brakes can do their job. While the brakes stop the wheels, it is the friction created when rubber meets the road that actually stops the whole car. Your brakes ultimately will not stop your car properly if your tires are uneven.