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September 18, 2022
If you were to name the most important safety feature on your vehicle right now, what would your answer be? A lot of driving experts would agree that it’s your brakes. Most newer vehicles use a well-engineered and efficient style of brakes called disc brakes.
The name disc brakes comes from one of the components: a disc attached to the wheel hub that is squeezed by parts called calipers. If you’ve ever ridden a bicycle with hand brakes, you probably have seen how they squeeze against the rim of the bike wheel to stop the bike. It’s similar to the way your vehicle’s calipers squeeze against the disc rotor, with added parts called brake pads attached to the calipers that are what create the friction and stop your vehicle.
Here’s why disc brakes need regular maintenance. Over time, that friction creates wear and tear on the brake pads and the rotors, and you’ll start to see the signs. Your brakes may have one of the 3 “S” sounds: squeaking, squealing, or scraping. The sound is usually the first sign of brake pad wear which can lead to rotor damage. Soon you may notice a pulsating or vibration when you brake. That’s because your once smooth and straight rotor disc is warping from the heat generated from friction. Or it may be due to wear. Eventually, your brakes will take a longer distance to stop your vehicle, and the rotors can have grooves carved into them.
When you start noticing any of these signs, it’s a good idea to have them inspected by a trained technician. They will measure the rotor thickness, check wear patterns for grooves and heat discoloration, and see how much of the brake pads remain. They will also check to make sure all brake components are moving freely, check your brake fluid, and look for corrosion.
Most vehicle manufacturers require worn or damaged rotors to be replaced, not resurfaced. It’s all part of a complete brake job, replacing pads and the brake hardware parts along with the rotors. It reduces the chance of premature failure.
How often you will need your brakes serviced depends on the manufacturer’s recommendations, your driving habits, and the environment you live in. Your service facility can recommend the best replacement parts based on those factors.
Regular maintenance and attention are vital for keeping your brakes performing like they are designed to. Remember, your brakes are your vehicle’s most important safety feature.
Tuffy Elyria (Cleveland St)
165 Cleveland Street
Elyria, Ohio 44035
440-322-3713
https://www.tuffyclevelandst.com
November 17, 2024
In warm weather, you want to be in a cool vehicle. When we're talking cool, we don't mean stylish or trendy, but cool as in not sweltering inside. And if your vehicle's air conditioner stops working correctly, it seems to always break at the worst timeduring a heat wave. Automotive air conditio... More
November 10, 2024
Think of how much abuse your brakes take. Day in and day out, they stop your vehicle when it's going fast and when it's going slow. Maybe your vehicle has been vibrating when you brake, or maybe it seems like your stopping distance is a little bit longer than it used to be. Then it's time to get ... More
November 3, 2024
You may notice that when you get your vehicle's oil changed, your service adviser may recommend that you have your tires rotated at the same time. The reasons are simple. That will allow your tires to wear more evenly and reduce the noise your tires make as you drive down the road. There are di... More
