Are Your Brakes Safe?
In an action movie, we might see a villain devilishly snipping his enemy's brakes, sending the unfortunate driver into a nail biting ride down the freeway. In real life, the topic of safe brakes is not as exciting but it's absolutely necessary. If you smell something burning in your car as you drive or you're hearing a screeching sound as you come to a stop, it may be time for a brake check.
There are two main components that affect brake safety: the brake fluid level and the brake pad condition. Both should be checked at least once a year and any time the brake warning light comes on, providing the light isn't being caused by the hand brake being engaged.
CHECKING THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL:
Check your car manual to determine the location of the brake fluid reservoir. Once you locate the brake fluid reservoir, usually marked with specifications regarding which brake fluid to use (e.g., DOT 3) make sure the brake fluid level isn't lower than the 'min' line and that it's as close as possible to the 'max' line. Also, make sure the brake fluid is clear or slightly yellow in color; if it's not, you will need to do a brake fluid flush. Visually inspect the brake fluid container to make sure it's not leaking and if possible, park the car over a piece of cardboard and tap the brakes to see if any fluid leaks out. If you find a leak, have your car checked by a mechanic as soon as possible and know that whatever part is leaking will probably need to be replaced.
CHANGING THE BRAKE FLUID:
Adding brake fluid will usually solve problems like the brake pedal being too soft and the brake warning light coming on, but the brake fluid should be changed every once in a while to ensure it's working efficiently. According to trustmymechanic.com, the brake fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles or whenever the brake fluid becomes murky and dark.
When it comes to changing the brake fluid, you can flush the system manually with the help of an assistant or let gravity bleed the brake fluid if you're working alone. Both of these options involve jacking up the car, removing the tires and opening the bleed screws to let the brake fluid and any trapped air run out. Check your car manual for specific instructions and recommendations; doing any of the above mentioned techniques could result in internal damage to your car if not properly done.
For an illustrated step by step guide to flushing your brakes, please visit: http://www.popularmechanics.com/how_to_central/automotive/1272446.html?page=2
CHECKING THE BRAKE PADS:
When you press down on the brake pedal, the brake pads cause enough friction on the tires to bring the car to a stop. If the brake pads are worn, you have less control over stopping and can end up in a fender bender. The brake pads are located between the calipers and the tire rotors of each tire. According to edmunds.com, a leading provider of car related information, if the brake pad depth is less than ¼ inch, it should be replaced soon. If it's less than 1/8 inch, you're getting close to damaging the rotor and the brake pad should be replaced as soon as possible.
CHANGING BRAKE PADS:
The easiest way to change your brake pads is to have a mechanic change them for you. If you have some extra time and access to a toolbox, a tire iron, a jack and a jack stand, you can try changing the brake pads yourself. The process of changing brake pads involves jacking up the car, removing the tires, removing the caliper assembly, replacing the brake pads and putting it all back together again.
For a detailed step by step guide to changing brake pads, please visit: http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/howto/articles/43787/article.html
Whether you have your brakes tuned by a mechanic or you do it yourself, it's important to have it done regularly. As with most things, out of sight is out of mind and it's easy to neglect the brake fluid level and brake pad condition until a problem arises. If you perform regular maintenance on your car, it will increase its lifespan and reduce the likelihood of serious and expensive problems later on.
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