Automobile Brakes - What You Should Know

What you should know about your car and truck brakes may surprise you. Most vehicle brakes are run by a hydraulic system which under pressure will slow or stop your car. Below I will go over some points to remember when it comes to your car or truck brakes. Some people believe that all you have to do is drive the vehicle until you hear noises coming from your wheels. However, by that time it is too late for a normal routine brake job your mechanic talks about all the time. Here are some brake tips you should know as you are out cruising around town.

Brake Pulsation:



Your automobile brakes have brake rotors in the front and most of the time you have brake drums on the rear of the vehicle. When your brake rotors and brake drums heat up you create a hot spot which will cause these two components to overheat and expand. Sometimes you can have the brake rotors and brake drums machined cut to fix this brake pulsation problem or you can just have the brake rotors and brake drums replaced.

Brake Squeaking:

Seventy percent of your braking is coming from your front brakes while the remaining thirty percent is coming from the rears. Your front brake pads are equipped with squealers to let you know to have them inspected right away before you start rubbing metal on metal, which can be quite costly. If you get them inspected right away all you may be looking at is just a brake pad replacement and resurfacing the rotors. If you choose to ignore the noise then plan on replacing the brake rotors, brake hardware, and possibly a brake caliper or two.

Use Your Parking Brake as Much as Possible:

Most drivers out there will ignore using their parking brake every time they park their vehicles. The parking brake is designed to help adjust the front and rear brakes evenly. If you do not apply the parking brakes then your brake cables will rust and freeze up not allowing your brakes to be applied evenly.

Flush Out Your Brake Fluid:

Unflushed brake fluid will turn into sludge and will not perform its duties. The rubber parts, seals, etc. will start to leak and will not give you the stopping power that you need. Brake fluid is not supposed to boil when it gets hot. Here are just a few pointers you can keep.