Today's vehicles come loaded with innovative, state-of-the-art advanced safety features. From safety features that help you stay in your intended lane to vehicles that offer parking assistance, modern vehicles are safer than ever. While technology has evolved at light speed, the most important and quintessential safety feature on your vehicle are your brakes. Because of this, it makes dollars and sense for you to get the most out of your brakes. To help you do that, we have outlined our top tips for increasing the life of your brakes. Read on to learn how to extend the average life of your brakes.
Brake Anatomy 101: Understanding the Basic Parts of Your Brakes
Before we jump into ways to increase the lifespan of your brakes, you need to have a general overview of the key parts of your braking system:
- Brake fluid. Your ability to stop depends on hydraulics, of which, the lifeblood of the system is brake fluid. When you press the brake pedal, it forces fluid through the brake lines. This causes the component to expand against the wheels, which stops your vehicle.
- Brake pads. Brake pads can be manufactured from an array of materials. These key brake parts are designed to squeeze against your rotor as the brake pedal is depressed.
- Brake calipers. As a component of the brake disc system, your calipers press the brake pads against the rotors whenever you press the brake pedal. This causes friction and works to slow - and ultimately stop - your vehicle.
- Brake drums. Brake drums are bowl-shaped parts that employ springs to expand the pads against the interior of the drum.
- Brake rotors. As the name suggests, brake rotors rotate when your wheels are moving. When you press the brake pedal, clamps are activated on both sides of the rotors.
How to Extend the Life of Your Brakes?
Now that's out of the way, let's talk about how to extend your brakes, and possibly forgo premature brake repair or replacement.
Easy Does It
We get it - you have places to be. And this hurriedness can lead you to drive faster. However, you are completely out of control when it comes to managing the flow of traffic and when other vehicles brake. The last thing you want to do is to speed up, quickly approach another vehicle, and then slam on your brakes.
In general, the faster you drive, the more effort will be required by your braking system to bring your vehicle to a complete stop. How much more? Most research suggests it takes a whopping 33% more energy to stop your vehicle if you're traveling 65 miles per hour vs 55. In the end, driving faster can cause you to use your brakes more vigorously, which can expedite the wear. So, it makes dollars and sense to slow down, take your time, and coast to a stop.
An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth Pounds of Cure
If you want to make your brakes last for as long as possible, preventative maintenance is the key. Fortunately, at Glockner Toyota, we make preventative maintenance easy. While the exact services and time of your maintenance can vary, our experienced technicians will usually complete the following work based on the manufacturer's suggested schedule:
- Brake fluid inspection. If we see your brakes need additional fluid, we will add it. Brake fluid is critical to the proper functioning of your braking system. Failure to have brake fluid can cause other parts to wear prematurely and ultimately fail.
- Brake cleaning. Your brake contact points should be cleaned. We will also check all brake disc surfaces and document the thickness of your brake pads.
- Brake component inspection. It's important to examine all clutch systems and brake lines for damage, leaks, and ideal positioning.
- Proper operation. We will also check the movement and positioning of your parking brake cables.
Failing to have this quintessential service can lead to premature brake failure. More importantly, it can make you less safe on the road.
Flushing Your Brakes
Depending on the model of your vehicle, your brakes may need to be flushed and bled every two years. This service can help extend the life of your internal brake components and improve effectiveness. This is because brake fluid naturally attracts water. During repeated brake use or emergency braking, the accumulated moisture can boil, which can reduce the effectiveness of your brakes. At the same time, the accumulation of moisture can lead to internal corrosion, which can reduce the lifespan of certain brake components, such as rubber seals.
Contact Glockner Toyota to Extend the Life of Your Brakes
Your brakes are imperative. As such, it's important for you to regularly service your brakes to extend their life and improve your on-the-road safety. Fortunately, the team at Glockner Toyota can help. We offer a range of different brake service, maintenance, and repair solutions to ensure your vehicle is properly functioning - and above all - safe.
Contact us today to schedule your brake service.
