How to Maintain the Car Brakes

Did you know that 25% of cars that do not pass the ITV due to deficiencies in the brake system? Drivers do not usually worry about the degradation of brake pads and discs until an unforeseen event occurs. But having a safer car is simple if you perform proper maintenance tasks:

1. Depending on the type of driving, the components of your car will expose to more or less wear. In the brake system, the parts that suffer the most wear are the pads and the brake discs. Drivers who often expose the car to the greater braking effort (mountainous paths, driving with the car at full load, occasional overheating of the brake system, etc.) should check the brakes more frequently.

Driving with less abruptness reduces fuel consumption and the wear of the friction system. The use of the engine brake also increases the life of the brake system,” he adds.

2. Please do not abuse the brakes to prevent them from getting hot. They will last longer in good condition. You can reduce the speed of the vehicle with the gearbox, especially in prolonged descents (mountain passes).

3. Pay attention to the witnesses of the car. Today most cars have brake wear warning systems, and a pilot in the instrument panel will warn you. If you feel that the brake pedal is spongy or goes to the bottom when you step on it, there may be air bubbles in the hydraulic circuit. Please take it to the car to the workshop to make sure.

4. If you notice a small vibration when you step on the brake, check that the brake pads and discs are in good condition. In high-speed braking, a steering wheel vibration may indicate that some part of the system is in poor condition, that the wheels are unbalanced or that the brake discs are combined.

5. If you see that you have to press on the brake too hard to break, chances are the brake pads or discs are damaged. It is also possible that there is grease or brake fluid in the pads or a small amount of brake fluid. In the workshop, you can answer these questions.

6. If the brake pedal sinks when you step on it, there may be a leak in the brake circuit, or the brake pads are worn. You will have to check the entire brake circuit, check that the brake fluid reservoir is in good condition, and, perhaps, replace the brake pads.

7. When changing the brake pads, without changing the discs, you may hear squeaking. But they can also indicate that something is not right in our brake system: particles (rust, metal) in the pads, discs in poor condition or also very worn or poor quality pads.

8. If your car’s brakes wear, the braking distance increases, and you will have a better chance of an accident. Check the brakes every time the car goes through the workshop for any maintenance work: oil change, filters. It would help if you never let more than 20,000 km pass without checking the system. The braking distance depends on the brake system, the condition of the tires, and the shock absorbers. At a speed of 110 km / h, there may be differences of 10 meters in braking distance, the key to safety.

9. In the workshop, you decide which brakes you want your car to put on. According to a study by Road House, almost all Spanish drivers say that the brakes are the most important for your safety at the wheel. Still, only 13.4% personally choose which components of the braking system you ride in your vehicle. Electronic braking aids and stability of a car are of little use if brake pads and discs are not of sufficient quality and safety. Get advice before and find out what brakes they put on your car. You will drive quieter.

10. Make sure that brake pads are installed and approved. The brake pads’ boxes must mark with the ECE R-90 approval number, which ensures that the pads comply with the established safety regulations. This number must also mark on the surface of the brake pad itself. It requires a workshop to see the packaging of the spare parts that installed in your car.