Brake Inspection and Repair Should Be a Regular Part of Your Routine Car Maintenance Program
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by: lucyjones
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Learning that your car needs brake repair is not cause for concern. If your brakes are squealing, that only means that they are doing the job that they were designed to do; brakes are meant to wear down. Think of brake repair as a necessary component of regular car maintenance instead.
Although brake pads are designed to scrape and squeal when they have worn down (alerting you to the need for maintenance), they are not the only warning sign that your brakes need attention. Check your brake fluid levels when your brake light goes on; that usually means that your brake fluid is low and your brakes need to be inspected by a certified technician. Seeing or smelling brake fluid indicates the presence of a leak that should be checked immediately. Rotor surface issues usually manifest themselves through vibrating wheels or brake pedals, and brakes that squeal even after you release the brake pedal mean that your wear indicators are scraping against the rotors. The grinding or growling sounds that metal on metal makes is a clear signal that your brake pads have completely worn away.
Brake repair specialists recommend that car owners have their brakes serviced as soon as it becomes apparent that something is amiss. You should still have your brakes inspected at least once a year even if nothing appears to be wrong. There are also certain maintenance tasks that should be performed on a regular basis to ensure that your brakes remain in optimal condition and to minimize the need for brake repair. Also have your brake fluid checked periodically for the presence of metal particles and moisture. If you do not, you will need to replace your calipers and wheel cylinders more frequently. Something else to keep in mind: you do not need to have your brake fluid topped off every time you take your car in to the shop for service. Full brake fluid levels prevent the brake wear alert system from functioning properly. Any metal to metal brake components should also be kept well lubricated in order to maintain a barrier between parts.
Finally, do not forget to rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Tires need to be in top shape in order for brakes to do a proper job. Remember, the brake system stops the wheels, but the friction created between your tires and the road is what stops the entire car.
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