Is It Time to Check Your Brakes?

Have you ever stopped to think about when the last time you've had your brakes checked was? It's important to keep up with the status of the brakes on your vehicle, since they're crucial in keeping you and your loved ones safe on the roads. That's why, here at Cherokee County Toyota, we want to help keep you informed about how you can stay safe on the road. Keep reading to find out how often you should have your brakes checked.

A Primer on Brakes.

Most brakes found in modern vehicles are disc brakes. When you press your brake pedal, a set of calipers, equipped with pads, squeezes a rotor (the disc). The pads generate friction with the rotor to slow your vehicle. It’s a hydraulic system that depends on a steady flow of brake fluid.

If any one of those parts of your brakes isn't functioning properly, the entire system can fail. The usual culprits of poor braking performance, however, are your brake pads. Normal brake pads should be at least a quarter of an inch thick. These pads wear down over time and, if not changed, can lead to more costly issues, like a damaged rotor.

Location Matters.

Crowded roads are worse than others when it comes to traffic. Congested areas of traffic require a lot of stopping, starting, slowing and veering. That means your brakes have their work cut out for them. It also means your brakes might need a tune-up sooner than a vehicle used mainly in, say, a flat rural area.

Keeping that in mind, it’s a smart idea to have your brakes examined whenever you have your tires rotated—normally every six months. If you’re more of an aggressive driver, you may need to have them checked more regularly than that, such as with every oil change. It’s also crucial that you observe what your brakes might be attempting to tell you between your regular servicing intervals.

Warning Signs.

If your brake light illuminates, then it’s time to have your brakes looked at. Additionally, if you notice it’s taking longer to come to a complete stop, you should have your brakes looked at as soon as possible. You may also notice a vibrating sensation when applying your brakes. That generally indicates a brake pad issue, though it could also point to an alignment problem.

Many brakes are equipped with a built-in indicator that’s made to squeal or screech when the pads are wearing thin. While the sound may be irritating, it can save you a lot of money down the road. That’s because if you change your pads when you’re meant to, you won’t have to hear that metal-on-metal sound. When you do hear that sound, it's because your pads have worn down entirely and your calipers are now grinding against your rotors whenever you press your brake pedal. It can turn an low-priced fix into a costly one.

Be Smart. Be Vigilant. Be Safe.

At Cherokee County Toyota, we're dedicated to supplying our customers with more than a great selection of vehicles—we want to provide them with impeccable service, as well. That commitment goes beyond our showroom to include our service center. Ultimately, we want to ensure that you and your loved ones arrive safely to wherever you drive to. That means your brakes need to be in good shape. You can count on your friends at Cherokee County Toyota to take care of that for you.