It’s never fun to hear that your car needs new brakes. That’s a service that most car owners want to put off for as long as it’s safe to do so. But Interstate Automotive wants you to understand why brakes and brake inspections are important and what you can do to help protect your car’s brakes.
Corrosion Is a Big Problem for Brakes
Corrosion is a bigger problem for brakes than many car owners realize. The main working parts are not painted, because that would affect their ability to work properly. So that means that they’re exposed to the elements, especially when it’s wet out. High humidity for long periods of time can also be an issue. As your brakes age, you’re more likely to see rust and pitting, which only gets worse over time.
Brake Parts Do Wear Out
Hydraulic power and friction are why your car’s brakes work. The big problem with friction in particular is that it wears down parts. That’s especially the case with brake pads and rotors, because those are the parts that rub against each other most often. As those parts wear, they fit together differently. Eventually, they need to be replaced because they’re too worn and no longer work as well.
Your Own Driving Habits Have an Effect on Brake Life
As difficult as it is to hear, there’s a lot about your own driving habits that affect how long your brakes hold up to normal wear and tear. If you’re demanding a lot from your car’s brakes, they’re just not going to last as long. One way you can make some progress with this is to slow down a little bit and make sure you’re not following other cars too closely. That can help you to avoid having to stop short on a consistent basis, which is harder on your brakes overall.
Learn How Your Brakes Feel
It’s really important that you know how your brakes feel when they’re working well. By paying attention, you can start to recognize when there’s a problem before the problem is one that leaves you without brakes at a crucial time. Noises, a soft pedal, and brakes that are less responsive are all signs that you should get your brakes inspected, just to make sure they’re alright.
Suspect that your car’s brakes are not in the best shape? Let us do an inspection for you. Contact us at Interstate Automotive in Eau Claire, WI and we can set up an appointment to take a look at your brakes and let you know if you need brake repair.