It is unfortunate to note that we give undue attention to engines while ignoring brake parts and components. If you wish to drive at highway speeds or want to drive safely at high speed, what you need is the set of brakes. Among all mechanisms, automotive brakes are most important. Brakes are crucial for safety while you are on the roads. Brake maintenance needs your due attention to details. By following some important brake maintenance tips, you may ensure the safety or functionality of your brakes. Proper maintenance of the braking system may also prolong the life of a braking system.
As safety is paramount and the cause of concern, make sure that your brake parts are checked and repaired from time to time. The brake should be designed to the modern driving habits. You may start to think that brakes bring the vehicle to a halt, but this is not so. It is mainly the friction generated by the car tires that slows the car or stops the car. This friction is generated against the roads. When there is friction, the brake stops wheels from moving and this is the actual working car brakes.
Modern cars mainly use disc brakes. Disc brakes have several components including calipers, brake pads, brake discs, brake master cylinder and brake lines. The disc-brake carries plate-like disc and this plate gets squeezed by the pads on the rotors within the calliper. The brake pads serve as a platform for creating friction and slowing down the vehicle. There are various maintenance tips you may follow for the brake pads.
Basic maintenance tips you need to follow while using brake parts
Your first and foremost task will be to choose a right type of brake and the brake parts. Worn out and old brakes must be replaced. Choose the rotor pads and performance brakes of top brands. If you go by the names and look for only trustworthy and reliable brands, the brakes will need less maintenance and repair. The following are some maintenance tips:
Check out the brake fluid and make sure it is in the appropriate level.
If the brake fluid carries milky color, you will need to replace the brake fluid. Change the brake fluid from time to time. Milky color implies that water has infiltrated the brake fluid and so the change is required. Your master cylinder may get damaged if you leave infiltrated liquid. Your wheel cylinder will also get deteriorated.
Just add new fluids to the brake cylinder.
Get all the air out from your brake lines. This act needs two people whereby the one pumps air out of the brake and the other watches the valve.
Regular inspection of brake rotors and brake pads is must to consider. You should make sure that the pads and rotors are in good condition. Just do this by removing the tire to check out the brake rotor and brake pads. If the pads appear to be worn out, you need to replace it.
Heat is the number one enemy of brake parts
The problem in brake parts is caused due to excessive heat. When the brake pads press against brake disc, it produces heat. You need to pump off hot air from the brakes to maintain the brake parts. The brakes will stay cooler when hot air is pumped off from the discs.
Brake pads and brake rotors are important components of braking system. It is only due to the efficient functioning of both components that you can start or stop the vehicle. Brake fluid also determines the functioning of your vehicle.