Brake Service Tips, Auto Service Experts San Antonio Repair Auto Shop
Brake Maintenance Advice to Extend Lifetime and Performance
Brake repair is often avoidable by following a few pieces of helpful advice regarding maintenance and driving habits. The following tips will help you to extend the amount of time between brake services, reduce the frequency of necessary brake pad changes, and minimize the possibility requiring brake system repair due to avoidable damage.
Brake Job on 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 Diesel
Auto Service Experts Certified Mechanics Performing a Brake Job in San Antonio, TX - Replacing Pads, Rotors, and Calipers.
Brake Service/ Maintenance Tips
Brake fluid changes (or brake flushes) help to prevent corrosion and damage to internal system components, reduce the amount of wear on the system overall, and increase braking performance.
Be sure to maintain the proper level of brake fluid between flushes. Low brake fluid may be caused by leaks within the system or damaged internal components. This leads to major safety issues, and can dramatically increase the amount of time it takes to reduce speed or come to a full stop. It may leave you unable to adequately control the vehicle or bring it to a stop in an emergency situation.
When you have your brake fluid level checked, a mechanic should also note the fluid condition. Brake fluid which appears milky in color indicates the presence of water in the system. This can damage your wheel cylinders and master cylinder which requires brake repair beyond your standard regular service to correct.
When your car is in need of brake service, it is important to choose the best local car repair shop in your area. By choosing a shop which uses only high-quality parts and guarantees it's work with a warranty covering parts and labor, you can ensure that your investment is a lasting one. Brake pads and rotors are not a place to save a couple bucks by going with the cheapest option. The difference in quality between brake materials is often much greater than the difference in price. Quality brake pads will perform better, last much longer, and keep you safer than slightly cheaper alternatives.
Choose a shop which completes a thorough brake inspection when servicing or repairing the system. This will help to ensure that you replace the necessary (and only the necessary) parts, and catch any damaged components or maintenance needs before they become safety issues.
Choose the right brakes for your vehicle and driving conditions. Different types of brake pads are specifically designed to meet different needs. If unsure which are best for you, consult an experienced brake mechanic about the different options available and the benefits they offer.
Driving Tips to Reduce Wear on Brake Pads
Avoid braking from high speeds. Brake pads are designed to wear down over time, however, the faster you are driving when you begin to brake, the more brake material that is lost.
Coast to lower speeds before braking. Not only does coasting down from high speeds prevent your brakes from losing as much material, it helps with fuel economy.
Look ahead for curves in the road, yellow lights, traffic jams and other conditions which require braking so that you can coast to a lower speed or a stop.
Leave plenty of road space between yourself and the vehicle(s) in front of you so that if they slam on their brakes you still have room to safely slow your car in a controlled manner.
Avoid carrying extra weight. By minimizing the amount of excess weight your vehicle is hauling you will also reduce the amount of strain placed on the brakes.
