How Often Should My Brakes Be Checked?
Is It Time to Check Your Brakes?
The brakes on your vehicle are vital for defensive driving. Without strong brakes, you risk getting into a dangerous accident. Brakes naturally wear out over time the more you drive. We typically recommend getting them checked every 20,000-60,000 miles. This is a proactive approach in order to ensure you’re driving safely. Our team at Steve White Volkswagen can help check and replace your brakes whenever you need. For more education on keeping up with the well-being of your brakes, continue reading.
A Primer on Brakes.
All vehicles, no matter their model, require regular maintenance on brakes to maintain safety for the driver and their passengers. Brakes involve a lot of moving parts to work properly (this includes brake lines, brake fluid, rotors and calipers). Each component serves a specific purpose. Since brake fluid runs to the calipers, the brake lines should be completely sealed and protected from leaks or corrosion. Rotors should be free of cracks or uneven wear, and brake fluid should always be at the correct level coinciding with your owner’s manual. Luckily, during a multipoint inspection, our technicians check all of these functions of the braking system thoroughly.
Brake pads are the most common and crucial aspects of the braking system. This provides a lining for your brakes to ensure safety for those moments where you need to make an abrupt stop. These pads should be at least a quarter of an inch thick, as they are consistently getting worn down throughout your travels. If they are too worn, this could be dangerous for you and other drivers around you.
Location Matters.
No matter if you own a new or used vehicle, you want to take note of where your brakes are utilized the most. You may not know this, but heavy traffic and highways are the main areas where your brake pads experience the most wear and thinning. Traffic is inconsistent and causes you to go up and down on your gas pedal abruptly and frequently. This causes your brakes to work harder and wear out at a faster rate.
To stay on top of the wear and tear, you should schedule a brake check every 10,000 miles or ask one of our technicians to inspect your brakes at each oil change. We all get stuck in traffic from time to time, but just keep your brakes at the forefront of your mind if it’s been a while since you’ve had them inspected.
Warning Signs.
Most vehicles will alert you if your brakes need some TLC. Typically you’ll notice a light flash on your dashboard. Once you notice this, you should take it into our service department at your earliest convenience. If you consistently start to hear a high-pitched sound, that’s another indicator that you need new brakes. The metal-on-metal sound that you hear is the calipers of your brakes grinding against your rotors each time you hit the brake pedal. While it’s a terrible sound to hear, it’s actually a safety feature specifically designed to make you aware of the issue.
If you experience vibrations or a bumpy ride when you’re hitting your brakes, this could mean that you’re due for brake pad replacements. Additionally, if your steering wheel starts to vibrate when you kick your brakes into gear, this is most likely due to your rotors being warped or damaged. No matter what, if your car experiences any of these symptoms, it’s a warning signal for you that should not be ignored.
Be Smart. Be Vigilant. Be Safe.
Here at Steve White Volkswagen, customer satisfaction and safety are our top priorities. We have an exceptional service department that can answer all of your questions and give your vehicle the very best care. If you’re due for a brake check, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us. Let us get you back on the road in a timely manner with a safe vehicle for you and your passengers.
If you think it’s time to get your brakes checked, schedule a service appointment today and bring your vehicle to Steve White Volkswagen at 100 Duvall Drive, Greenville, SC 29607 . We look forward to serving our customers from Asheville, NC, and Columbia, Spartanburg, Anderson, SC, and the Upstate.