Quick Facts About Brake Repair
Many repairs on your car, like a dent in the door, don’t need to be done immediately. However, if something goes wrong with your brakes, it’s an urgent repair, as they directly impact safety. The first moment you suspect something is wrong with your car’s brakes, you will need to get them checked.
Read on to learn about brake repair and replacement and how to preserve your braking system.
What Is a Brake Repair?
A brake repair is when certain mechanical parts like your car’s brake pads and shoes, calipers, and rotors need repair or replacement. Some parts may last longer than others, and some need replacing at the same time. Along with these, a brake flush, which is when old brake fluid is replaced, might also be required. According to Gary Hardesty, Kelley Blue Book’s in-house service and maintenance expert and an ASE certified master technician, the brake fluid transfers the force of when you step on the brakes to the brake calipers and wheel cylinders.
Brakes on most cars can last up to 50,000 miles before needing replacement, depending on how you drive. For example, city driving with frequent stop-and-go traffic can cause more wear and tear on your brakes than consistent highway driving.
Symptoms of Bad Brakes
When your brakes get close to their limit, they will give you signs that it’s time for a brake repair or replacement. If they do, it’s best to take the vehicle to a mechanic for an inspection.
Read our article on brake repair and diagnosing problems to find out more.
Do You Need a Brake Repair?
If anything goes wrong with your brakes, it becomes a safety issue, and so you will need to visit a vehicle service center and talk to a mechanic as soon as possible. A mechanic can tell you if your brakes need to be repaired or replaced. Use our tool to help you determine brake repair and replacement costs for your specific vehicle.
Delaying a brake repair or replacement can not only cause accidents, but can also cost you more in the long run.
How To Help Your Brakes Last Longer
Use these tips to help your brake system and components last longer.
1. Pace Yourself
On any road, give yourself enough space (two to three cars’ length) and drive at a safe speed. If you follow another vehicle too closely, you’re at the mercy of the driver in front of you and will likely need to press your brakes harder and more often to avoid an accident.
Also, be mindful of your speed in neighborhoods, cities where you drive, and unfamiliar places. If you consistently speed up and slow down, it can be detrimental for your brakes. This more pressure on the car’s brakes every time you approach a traffic light or stop sign.
Pacing yourself can significantly extend the life of your brakes and save you hundreds of dollars on excess brake repair costs.
2. Don’t Slam the Brakes
Unless it’s an emergency, avoid slamming on your brakes. Suddenly mashing the brake pedal puts excess strain on the brake pads and rotors. Occasionally hitting the brakes to avoid a crash is fine, but if you consistently do this during your usual commute, you will likely be at the mechanic more often than you would like.
If you can, ease onto your brake pedal to come to a smooth stop rather than a sudden one.
3. Coast to a Stop
Besides leaving enough space between you and the driver ahead, coasting to a stop is one of the easiest and safest ways to stop, especially in slick, rainy, or snowy weather conditions. It’s also one of the best ways to extend the lifespan of your brakes.
People who drive hybrids or electric vehicles (EVs) know that regenerative braking is a great way to get more mileage from the battery. Regenerative braking also helps you put less strain on your brakes because you use them less often.
If you drive a car that offers one-pedal driving, turn on this feature, as it lets you slow down to a stop without necessarily using the brakes. Many EVs like the Kia EV6, Chevy Bolt EV, and Nissan Leaf offer this feature, though it may be called e-Pedal or i-Pedal.
Nonetheless, whether you have an electric car or a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle, coasting to a stop can be a great way to avoid premature brake wear and tear.
4. Drive With One Foot
Most people are taught to drive with one foot. But if you’re in the percentile that drives with two feet (excluding for manual transmission vehicles), there’s no real benefit to doing this. It does not make your braking time faster. Over time, this practice can lead to wear and tear and will have you getting your brakes serviced more often.
5. Know the Weight of Your Vehicle
If you drive a GMC Hummer EV or another electric car, know that it weighs more than a typical gas-powered vehicle. As a result, it’s best to understand how much time you need for braking distance. Heavier cars and trucks can put more pressure on the brakes when stopping. Also, if your vehicle is carrying a large load in the truck bed or the trunk of your SUV, drive slower than usual to avoid excessive hard braking.
6. Inspect Your Brakes Regularly
One of the best ways to avoid brake system wear and tear is to get them inspected regularly. Many service centers and dealerships do a brake inspection when you get your oil changed. They also top off the fluids in your vehicle. Staying on top of brake system maintenance allows you to discover potential problems.
If you find out your brakes are wearing faster than they should be, you can adjust your driving habits to help extend the life of your brakes. In addition to the inspection, remember to get the brake fluid flushed at the recommended intervals for your vehicle.
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