Whether it’s while driving or at any other time, you may not give much thought to your new truck’s brake system. But considering they’re one of the most important safety features, it’s vital that you spend some time understanding what they do and when you might need to replace their components.
Like almost every other part of your vehicle, your brakes should undergo regular maintenance and inspection to ensure they’re working properly, for your safety and the safety of others.
To keep you informed about this critical system, in the following article we show you more details about its function, how to check your car’s brakes and the signs that it’s time to replace them.
What are brakes?
Brakes are a very important safety system that allows the vehicle to slow down or stop completely when necessary. They work by converting kinetic energy into thermal energy through friction between the brake pads and the brake discs.
They are actuated by the pedal, which when depressed causes the pads to compress against the discs, producing the friction required to bring the car to a stop. In addition, they have a special fluid called brake fluid, which is responsible for transferring the pressure from the pedal to the pads.
Why is it important to check your car’s brakes?
Before we get into the details of how to check your truck’s brakes, it’s important to understand why performing this is so relevant. Brakes are an essential part of any car and are crucial to ensuring your driving safety.
Over time, they can wear out, leading to a decrease in performance and stopping power. For that reason, it is essential to check them regularly to make sure they are working optimally.
How to check your car’s brakes?
Here are some things you can do to check if your vehicle’s brakes are working properly.
- Check the brake pads
In general, brake pads have a shorter service life than discs, so they should be replaced more frequently. Normally, their lifespan is half that of discs. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to their condition, since if the friction with the disc decreases, the braking time of the vehicle will increase.
To check the brake pads, it is necessary to remove the rims and examine their thickness. If you observe that they are worn out, it is the moment to change them for others.
- Examine the brake discs
Checking the discs is another fundamental step in the maintenance of a vehicle’s brake system, as they are also susceptible to deterioration. In case the dashboard light does not indicate when to check them, it is possible to do it on your own.
If you hear a screeching noise when braking or notice that the car takes longer and longer to stop, it is likely that these parts are not in the best condition.
When checking the brake discs, you should pay attention to several aspects: First of all, to the color, since a variation in its surface could be a sign of a modification in the structure of the material.
Then, cracks, which sometimes appear in the friction zone and on the outside of the disc, are a sign of considerable deterioration. It is also necessary to look for possible scratches, which are produced as a consequence of the wear of the pads or of the existence of foreign bodies between these and the disc.
Finally, it is necessary to pay attention to its thickness and if there is presence of oxide, which usually appears when the vehicle has been inactive for a long period of time.
- Inspect the brake fluid level
Brake fluid is the fluid used to transmit the braking force from the brake pedal to the brake pads. Check the level in the brake fluid reservoir to make sure it is within normal limits. If the level is low, you should top it up with the fluid recommended by the manufacturer.
You should also check its color, which is usually a little yellowish and transparent. However, if you see that it is dark, you should replace it.
As you can see, inspecting your vehicle’s brakes is an essential task that can help you keep it safe and working properly. So, don’t forget to check them from time to time and take your car to the shop immediately if you detect any major problems. We hope this information has been useful to you!