Taking Care of Your Brakes So That They Can Take Care of You on the Road

It’s every driver’s nightmare: you’re speeding down the road but when you step on the brake, you still don’t slow down. Needless to say, the events that could potentially follow from this failure of brakes can be severe and devastating.

As a responsible car owner and driver, it is ultimately up to you to ensure that your vehicle is functioning as optimally as it should—especially the brakes. Don’t get caught in this unpleasant situation; know about the basic care tips for car brakes so you can always stay in control.

Low Brake Pedal

Having low brake pedals can make it difficult for you to activate its functionality. Among the common causes for this situation include worn out brake linings, fluid leaks, or sometimes when adjusters stick to the normal lining wear.

If you’ve been noticing that your brake pedal is unusually low, try adjusting it back to its normal height. Even if you do get it back up, though, it still would be advisable for you to bring it to a professional car shop so that the problem does not become recurrent.

Sinking Pedal

Like the low brake pedal, this kind of problem has to do with preventing you from having direct access to the brakes. If the pedal keeps sinking to the floor, then you will have to keep reaching in order to get the brake to bite. Regardless if you have long or short legs, this is going to be problematic because you’re not getting the mechanical response that you need, when you need it.

This issue is most likely due to a hydraulics leak or a failing master cylinder. These are major parts by themselves so it’s not advisable for you to take these matters in your own hands. Let a professional mechanic fix it right up for you.

Brake Fluid Level

This one is pretty easy to spot and remedy. If you observe leaks from your vehicle, and it does turn out to be brake fluid, bring your vehicle to the shop immediately to get the leak patched up. Then the brake fluid will be refilled, and you can go back to using it.

Brake Pedal Misalignment

Do your feet sometimes slip when stepping on the brakes? Give it a good look—maybe the brakes have become loose and now are pulling to one side. This could pose serious safety risks, especially when you’re stepping on the brakes fast. The misalignment could be caused by calliper or cylinder wheel issues, contaminated linings, loose wheel bearings, among others. Sometimes, you’ll also notice a sort of pulsation on the pedal, an indication that there is warping on the brake rotor.

Proper adjustments can easily fix this problem for you. In certain instances, it is found that the brake pedals need replacing. This is why it’s important to go to a shop that caters specifically to the kind of vehicle you have. GM car and truck owners in Portland, for example, can go to GM-centric service shops, such as McLoughlin Chevy.

Sources:

Know the Signs & Stay Ahead of Brake Problems. FirestoneCompleteAutoCare.com.

Common Brake Problems and How to Fix Them. Autos.com.