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Brakes
When it comes to your car's safety, brakes top the list of systems that need monitoring. However, many people are unaware of the signs that indicate a car's brakes may need maintenance or repair.
For routine maintenance, it's important to check the vehicle's braking system at least once a year. The wheels should be removed and a thorough inspection should include checking the brake lining wear, brake disc thickness, brake fluid level & condition, brake hoses and brake lines as well as taking the car for a test drive to detect other potential brake system problems.
Brake systems should be flushed and the brake fluid replaced every two years. Brake fluid absorbs moisture in the system and becomes acidic after two years.
Check the brake system diagram below to better understand how the braking system works.
It is important to be alert and recognize the danger signs of brake problems. Warning signs include an illuminated brake warning light, brake grabbing, spongy brake pedal feel, vibration, hard pedal feel and brake noise.
Noise is one of the leading indicators that something is wrong with brakes. Any out of the ordinary sound is often a sign that brakes have worn to the point they should be checked. Watch especially for a grinding noise, and if your brakes typically throw off brake dust on your wheels, look for a sudden increase or decrease in dust. Finding small metal flakes on the wheels is also a sign that brakes should be checked.
Another leading indicator is the feel of the brake pedal. If the car pulls left or right when braking, or if the front end shakes, those are both signs of excessive brake wear. If the brake pedal begins to feel spongy, it could be a sign that air has entered the brake system or fluid is low.
A spongy brake pedal, along with a decrease in brake fluid, could also indicate brake wear; Check the brake fluid reservoir to make sure the level is correct. If not, then the brake fluid is likely remaining at the wheel to fill the space caused by brake lining wear.
Why should I have the brake fluid changed?
Changing the many fluids in a vehicle is always a change for the better. Dirty engine oil, transmission fluid or engine coolant are bad news for a car. But what about the brake fluid? Many motorists know that this fluid should be topped up, but changed?
According to most car manufacturers brake fluid in the typical vehicle can become contaminated within two years and therefore should be changed every 24 months or 24000 miles. This is because the fluid absorbs moisture, which works its way through the hydraulic system. Under heavy braking conditions, such as those encountered in mountainous or hilly driving or when towing a trailer, moisture in the overheated fluid vaporizes (boiling point of water is lower than that of brake fluid) and braking efficiency is reduced.
Even under normal driving conditions this condition can develop if the brake fluid is contaminated. Not only is the fluid vulnerable to vaporizing, it a can also freeze.
Brake fluid must maintain a stable viscosity throughout its operating temperature range. If it's too thick or too thin, braking action is impaired. Beyond the vaporization hazard, moisture creates an additional problem for owners of vehicles equipped with anti-lock braking (ABS) systems. Corroded ABS components could fail to work and are very expensive to replace.
Therefore regular changing of the Brake Fluid could save money and lives.
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