Trust Professionals to Maintain Your Brakes
Your vehicle’s braking system is one of its most essential safety features. Experienced automotive technicians possess the tools, training, and diagnostic precision needed to identify issues before they worsen. In this article, we discuss the basics of brake maintenance to help keep your vehicle performing reliably and save your wallet from unexpected repair costs.
What Is a Brake Service?
A brake service includes a comprehensive inspection of, followed by maintenance for your vehicle’s braking components. Depending on the needs of your brake system, a brake repair can include:
- replacing worn brake pads
- machining or replacing brake rotors
- inspecting and lubricating calipers
- flushing and refilling brake fluid
- checking the master cylinder and brake lines for leaks or damage
A proper brake service ensures that every component in your automotive brake system is assessed and, where needed, fixed. This keeps you and others safe on the road.
A complete brake service includes cleaning components, checking brake lines, testing the master cylinder, bleeding the system, and torquing everything to spec.
If caught early, a simple brake pad replacement might be all you need. A full brake service typically becomes necessary, though, when your braking system has been neglected.
Brake Pads and Rotors: When to Replace Them
The most often replaced brake components are the brake pads and brake rotors. Brake pads are designed to wear down over time. Most should be replaced every 40,000 to 80,000 kilometres, but that depends on driving style, driving conditions, and traffic.
Rotors are the flat, circular discs your pads press against. They can warp or thin over time. During a brake service, a mechanic will measure their thickness and may recommend resurfacing or a full replacement.
Signs You Might Need a Brake Pad Replacement
- squealing or grinding noises
- longer stopping distances
- a vibration when braking
- a warning light on your dashboard
Why You Shouldn’t Wait
Worn-out pads can expose the metal underneath, which grinds directly against the rotors. This damages the rotors, leading to more costly repairs. Replacing brake pads early helps protect other components and keeps your brakes running smoothly.
Brake Pad Wear and Lifespan
Wondering how long brake pads last? The truth is, it depends on a few key factors. These include:
- highway vs. city driving (stop-and-go city traffic wears down brake pads much faster)
- aggressive braking habits
- vehicle type and weight
As a general rule, check in on your brake pads every 20,000 km. Most mechanics even offer a free brake pad inspection during other services.
Can I Replace Just My Brake Pads?
Replacing just your brake pads is a safe and inexpensive choice if your braking system is in good shape. If the repair costs exceed your budget, ask your technician about a pad-only service to reduce immediate expenses, provided it doesn’t compromise safety.
You shouldn’t be left wondering whether or not a pad-only service is an option. A professional should always communicate their findings and offer insights into the need for additional work or future repairs. However, servicing your brakes completely can save you significant money in the long term.
Understanding Calipers and Brake Lines
The brake caliper is the clamp-like mechanism that pushes the brake pads against the rotor. It’s essentially the muscle of the braking system. A seized or leaking caliper can lead to uneven wear, pulling while braking, or even a total loss of braking power in one wheel.
Brake lines carry brake fluid from the master cylinder to the calipers. These lines need to be intact and leak-free to maintain consistent hydraulic pressure. If they’re corroded or damaged, they could rupture, especially in harsh winter climates where road salt accelerates deterioration.
What’s Involved in a Brake Fluid Change?
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture over time. This can lead to reduced effectiveness and corrosion within the system.
A brake fluid change involves flushing the old fluid from the system and replacing it with fresh fluid. This flush and replacement is typically recommended every two years or 40,000 km, but vehicle specific maintenance frequencies can be found in your owner’s manual.
The Role of the Master Cylinder
The master cylinder is the heart of your hydraulic brake system. It converts the pressure you apply to the brake pedal into hydraulic force that activates the calipers. If the brake master cylinder fails, your pedal may go soft, or straight to the floor. It’s not a common failure, but when it happens, it’s critical.
Final Stop: Don’t Delay Maintenance
It’s easy to delay brake work. Brakes often wear down slowly, and without dramatic symptoms, they can quietly slip into dangerous territory. But regular checkup and, early intervention can prevent bigger problems down the road.
Your safety deserves more than a guess. At your local NAPA AUTOPRO service centre, our trustworthy technicians will show and explain worn parts, and offer advice on keeping your braking system in top shape.