Brake Repair

First of all, the brakes should be inspected on every oil change. If you are having your oil changes done at a repair shop, you typically want to go someplace where they are pulling the wheels off the vehicle so that they can actually inspect the brakes.

Another maintenance item you want to do is make sure the components of the brake system are properly lubricated every time you get a brake job done. When they are replacing the brake pads or shoes, all those components in there should be properly lubricated.

Brake fluid is also very important, though most people do not realize it. It should be changed out about every two years or 24,000 miles because it actually absorbs water from the air. As that fluid absorbs water, it will give you a squishy pedal and it will not brake as fast as it should because you will have a little bit of room in the pedal before you are actually engaging the brakes.

Brakes are a wear item, so they are going to wear out based on driving habits and the quality of the components put on the vehicle. You should have your brake system looked at every time you get an oil change. Depending on your vehicle, this is usually every 5,000 to 7,000 miles.

You should go to a shop where they are actually pulling the tires off of the vehicle to inspect those components. They will look to make sure there is not any uneven pad wear, no debris in there, and that everything is clean. Anything showing signs of improper wear will be caught during these inspections.

The first thing you can do is make sure that you are driving more conservatively. When you are accelerating, keep your foot on the gas, and when you need to stop, take your foot off the gas and put it on the brake. Too many people drive with two feet where they have one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake at the same time. This obviously engages the brakes while you are driving and prematurely wears them out.

If you drive conservatively and leave more distance between you and the car in front of you, your brakes are going to last a lot longer because you do not have to be slamming on them.

The Arizona heat definitely affects brake performance and wear. Because of the intense heat from the weather plus the heat from the car running and braking, brake pads will wear out faster in Arizona than in cooler climates.

Heat can also cause the brake pads to get extremely hot and develop a glaze on the pad and the rotor. This glaze can cause squeaking and cause the brakes to not perform the way they should. Conservative driving and using top-quality parts similar to the original equipment will give you the longest-lasting pads even in extreme heat.

The life of these parts is extended mostly by the quality of the pads and rotors put on the vehicle in the first place. You want to make sure your shop is using high-quality parts similar to what was put on there when the car was new.

Driving habits are the other major factor. If you are racing from light to light and hitting the brakes really hard, that is going to create more heat and friction. That extra heat can warp the rotors, which is what causes that vibration or shaking when you hit the brakes.

Brake fluid is very important. It naturally absorbs water from the air over time, and the more moisture it accumulates, the less the system will perform at its peak. More moisture gives you a squishy pedal, meaning your brakes are not as responsive as they should be. Regularly maintaining the fluid every two years or 24,000 miles ensures you get the best performance and prevents early contamination inside the braking system.

Brake fluid should be flushed or exchanged every two years or 24,000 miles, up to about 30,000 miles. This is part of regular maintenance and usually falls every four or five or six oil changes. It is not a very expensive service, but it will give you a much more responsive pedal.

The best type of brake pads usually are the same type that the car came with originally. Traditionally, we have found that whatever was on there originally is going to be the best option. You do not necessarily need to go to a dealership to get these parts. Shops can put on original equipment or high-quality parts that have almost the exact same makeup as the original equipment.

In some cases, there are upgraded pads and components that can help solve specific problems, like a brake shake that original equipment might not be solving.

Towing and hauling puts much more stress on the braking system. If you are regularly hauling heavy loads for work, you want to make sure you use premium quality parts so the vehicle has the proper braking power.

It also means the vehicle needs to be regularly maintained and inspected. Every time the vehicle is in for an oil change, the tires should be pulled off and physically inspected for any premature wear. Heavy hauling will definitely lessen the time between brake jobs.

Cleaning and servicing is part of routine maintenance. Premature wear is often caused by debris like dust or dirt from the environment or off-roading getting stuck in the system.

There are also mechanical components that need to be properly lubricated so everything moves with ease when you hit the pedal. If anything hangs up, it will cause uneven wear from right to left or front to back. Proper lubrication ensures you get the maximum life and performance so the car stops when you want it to.

The first sign is typically when you have to push the brake pedal further to get the car to stop. This might be because the fluid needs to be changed or the pads are getting thin.

Other signs include:

• Squealing: This is often caused by a glaze between the pad and the rotor.
• Grinding: If you feel grinding, that is a red flag. This usually means you are down to metal-to-metal, which is a real problem in an emergency.

To avoid these issues, have your brakes inspected every oil change. A professional can usually tell you when brakes will be needed within a couple thousand miles, allowing you to budget for the $300 to $600 expense.

The biggest benefit is safety. The braking system is the most important safety feature in your vehicle. Regular checks every 3,000 to 5,000 miles by a professional ensure there is no debris causing premature wear and that your fluid is properly maintained. Doing this helps you get the maximum life out of your brakes and ensures you can stop the vehicle in an emergency.