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WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BRAKE PARTS?
Because brakes are so important, it's a good idea to understand the different moving parts that make up your brake system. When you press your brake pedal, it activates a piston within the fluid-filled brake cylinder, causing the calipers to tighten and the brake pads to grasp the rotors, creating friction and ultimately stopping the wheels from turning. The heat created by that friction is dispersed by the rotors to keep the brakes themselves from overheating. All of these components are essential to the proper function of your braking system, but they often need to be replaced on different schedules since they tend not to wear out at the same time.
YOU MIGHT NEED YOUR BRAKE PADS REPLACED IF...
YOUR BRAKE WARNING LIGHT IS ON
YOU HEAR SQUEALING OR GRINDING WHEN YOU APPLY BRAKES
YOUR VEHICLE PULLS TO ONE SIDE OR ANOTHER WHEN BRAKING
IT TAKES A LONGER TIME TO STOP THAN NORMAL
Why is brake service important?
The answer is obvious: because brakes are what stops a vehicle, and we need to be able to count on them for our safety and the safety of everyone around us. Strong and smooth stopping power is essential to incident-free and enjoyable driving.
How will I know when my brakes need service?
Whenever there’s a change in how your brakes work and/or feel, it’s time to get them checked by qualified automotive maintenance personnel, like our service team at Pohanka Nissan. You may notice an unusual sound – squeaking, squealing, or grinding – as well as deterioration in the feel of the brakes as you’re stopping. The car may shudder or vibrate when the brakes are applied, or it might pull to one side. They may also feel slushy or slow to respond when you step on the brake pedal. Any reduction in stopping time should be taken seriously, with immediate attention from your trusted mechanical team.
Should I have my brakes checked regularly, even if they’re working fine?
Yes: routine inspection of the brakes can help you keep ahead of developing issues, which can often save you from a larger repair job. For example, brake pads need to be replaced more frequently than brake rotors, but if you let your brake pads deteriorate too long before getting new ones, they can end up damaging rotors that otherwise wouldn’t have needed replacement. Your regular tire rotation interval is the ideal schedule for brake inspection: it’s simple for the service team to take a good look while they have the wheels off.
How often should I expect to replace my brake components?
A good rule of thumb for an average driver who doesn’t accelerate or stop aggressively is to expect to replace the brake pads approximately every 15,000 miles. Rotors last longer – an average of 60,000 miles. One thing to keep in mind, especially in coastal areas where the air is salty, is that rotors can develop rust. This generally happens when the vehicle isn’t driven a lot, since the friction of braking action helps to scrape off any developing rust. A car that goes unused for a long time may end up with pitting on its rotors due to corrosive moisture in the air, and that uneven texture on the rotor surface can lead to vibration during braking. If you live in a salty environment or only drive your car a couple times per week (or less), you should be prepared to replace your rotors a bit more often.