RepairPal
Thursday, August 25, 2016
August is Brake Safety Awareness Month, and brakes are an essential (yet often overlooked) element of safe driving. With proper care and knowledge, they will be able to perform optimally when we need them most.
Though autobraking and self-driving cars are the future, we are still years away from them becoming the standard in all vehicles. In the meantime, while manual braking is the default setting, it's vital to be proactive in ensuring that our cars are running as safely and smoothly as possible.
Even the most advanced cars have problems—and so, the car experts at RepairPal have created some useful brake safety advice that everyone can benefit from:
*** RepairPal's Four Rules for Superior Brake Safety ***
>> Rule 1: Scraping sounds likely mean it's time for new disc brake pads.
This sound comes from metal grinding against metal—which can affect the speed at which your car stops. It's wise to get this fixed as soon as possible.
>> Rule 2: If your brake pedal sinks to the floor, beware.
This may be a sign that the master cylinder—which holds your brake fluid—is not properly holding pressure, a potentially dangerous condition that can cause brakes to stop functioning the way they are supposed to. Get this checked out as soon as possible.
>> Rule 3: Don't consistently ride the brakes while going downhill.
By resting your foot on the pedal unnecessarily, it can wear out the brake pads much more rapidly than would happen normally.
>> Rule 4: Spending an hour getting your brakes checked out now can save you dozens of hours (and dollars) later.
This is the best way to prevent extra costs. Going to an auto shop is the best way to be certain that your car is safe.
