How Often Should Your Brakes Be Checked?

Is It Time to Check Your Brakes?

Every driver realizes that brakes are essential, but every driver might not know how often brakes should be checked. Worn-out brakes may cause significant safety issues for both you and other drivers. To learn more on how often your brakes should be checked, keep reading.

A Primer on Brakes.

Disc brakes are the most common brakes found in cars today. When the brake pedal is used, a set of calipers, equipped with pads, squeezes a rotor (the disc). The pads create friction with the rotor which slow your vehicle. This hydraulic system relies on a consistent flow of brake fluid.

If any of these parts are flawed, the entire system can fail. But what usually causes poor braking performance are the brake pads. These should be at least a quarter of an inch thick. Because the brake pads wear down over time, they can lead to expensive problems, like a damaged rotor, if not replaced.

Location Matters.

Busy areas affect your brakes more than areas with less traffic. Heavy traffic requires a lot of stopping, starting, slowing and veering, which can create a lot of stress on your brakes. Because of this, your brakes will probably need servicing sooner than a vehicle mostly driven in a flat rural area, for example.

With this in mind, having your brakes checked whenever you have your tires rotated—typically every six months—is always a good idea. A more aggressive driver might want to have them checked more frequently, perhaps with every oil change. It's also important to pay attention to brake performance in between routine services.

Warning Signs.

If your brake light turns on, you should have your brakes checked. If you notice coming to a complete stop takes awhile, you should have your brakes looked at as soon as possible. If you experience a vibrating sensation when applying your brakes, this typically indicates worn brake pads, but could also indicate an alignment issue.

Most brakes include an indicator that makes a squeal or screeching sound when the pads wear down. Even though the sound is annoying, it can save you a lot of money down the road. You won't have to hear that metal-on-metal sound if you change your pads when you're supposed to. This sound tells you that your pads have completely worn down and your calipers are now grinding against your rotors. This can quickly make an inexpensive repair expensive.

Be Smart. Be Vigilant. Be Safe.

At West Herr Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Rochester, we're committed to providing our customers with more than a great selection of vehicles—we strive to provide them with the best service as well. Our commitment reaches beyond our showroom to include our service bays. We want you and your loved ones to arrive safely wherever you go. which means your brakes need to be in excellent shape. Your friends at West Herr Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Rochester can be trusted to take care of that for you.

If it's time to get your brakes checked, contact us or stop by West Herr Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Rochester at 4477 Ridge Rd W, Rochester, NY 14626. We look forward to serving our customers from Brockport, Hilton and Greece, NY.