When carrying out a vehicle service we check a multitude of things. Do you know what is the most important system of your vehicle that we check every service?
The brake system!
The brake system is by far the most important system your car has. This system keeps not only you and your family safe buy others on the road as well. Being able to slow down on stop at a moments notice is what helps you avoid incident or accident. Brakes that aren’t well maintained and regularly inspect van let you down when you need them the most, especially in a panic stop situation.
There is also no set life on your brakes and no time limit on when your brakes will wear out. How soon your brakes wear out will depend on a number of things: what type of driver you are – one that pins the throttle down and brakes hard last minute or a driver who drives at a steady pace with limited braking, how many kilometres has been driven in the 6 months, what terrain has the travel been- such as lots of travel down hills with constant braking to keep to the speed limit, has your car been towing or carrying a heavy load?
For these reasons it is paramount your braking system is inspected at every vehicle service. During a visual brake inspection, the entire brake system is checked. This includes:
- The brake pedal.
- Measure pad and shoe thickness.
- Check for even wear of the brake pads and shoes.
- Check rotors for hot spots and measure thickness.
- Check hardware to ensure it is working and adjusted properly.
- Inspect wheel cylinder, brake lines, hoses and brake master cylinder for leaks.
- Inspect callipers for wear, free movement and fluid leaks.
- Check the level and condition of brake fluid.
- Inspect for proper routing and placement of the brake and antilock brake sensors.
- Park brake adjustment & function.
All of these components need to be within spec and functioning correctly to ensure your vehicle has full braking capacity.
Prevent damage with servicing and inspections!
Preventing damage to your braking system can also be avoided with regular servicing and inspections.
Replacing your brake pads when they get low is an important piece of maintenance as it can prevent further damage to your rotors and prolong their life. Once your pads are worn away the steel backing plate is exposed. The steel is much harder than your brake pad compound and can warp and scratch your rotors in which case the rotors will also need replacing. Brake pads are relatively inexpensive to replace, especially when compared to having your rotors machined or replaced.
Something as simple as your brake fluid is another important part of what makes your brake system 100%. Brake fluid operates under high pressure and high temperature to help the various components in your brake system run smoothly. Over time your brake fluid will be contaminated with the absorption of moisture and copper which will decrease the effectiveness of the hydraulics within your brake system resulting in a slight delay or reduction in braking power. It’s a simple thing to have checked and replaced if required.. and could be a lifesaver!
Your brakes are your first line of safety on the road- for happy motoring and the safety of yourself, your family and other road users we include this check in every one of our vehicle services. We recommend a vehicle service every 6 months or every 10,000klm travelled.