As a motorist, you know that brake pads will not last forever. Brake pads use friction to stop a vehicle, so each time you apply your brakes, this wears the brake pads. How often you brake and how hard you apply your brakes factor into how long your brake pads will last.
Larger, heavier vehicles such as trucks and SUV’s typically wear out their brakes faster than smaller, lighter vehicles. Stop and go traffic will wear your brake pads faster as well as aggressive driving.
Brakes are one of the most important safety features on your vehicle. Your braking system is composed of the rotor, caliper, and brake pads. If your brake pads wear and you neglect to have a brake service in Burke, VA, you run the risk of ruining your rotors and will need to replace them as well.
In order to properly stop your vehicle, you need to have good functioning brake pads. You use your brakes every time you use your vehicle so regular brake service should be one of your main priorities when servicing your car in Burke, VA.
To keep your brakes working effectively:
- Get your brakes inspected at least once a year and more if you tend to drive in city traffic or an area with a lot of hills.
- Never drive with your parking brake on.
- Check your brake fluid regularly and have it changed as required by your owner’s manual. If you have to add fluid more than every couple of months, you might have a leak.
If you have any of these issues with your brakes, you need to have your brakes serviced right away:
- High-pitched squeak when you apply your brakes.
- Scraping or grinding sound when not braking.
- Shaking or a vibration when braking.
- Using more pressure when trying to stop than normal.
Anytime you experience a change in your brakes, you should take your vehicle in for a brake service in Burke, VA. The quicker you take care of brake issues, the safer you will be. The more you prolong having your brakes serviced, the more costly the repairs.
