All the systems in your vehicle work together in tandem to send you safely rolling down the road. Some are for comfort, like your air conditioning and heat. Others are vital to your safety, including your steering and braking systems. When they fail, you may find yourself stranded, in an accident or much worse. By keeping an eye on all the moving parts, you can limit that possibility of a crash. One way to mitigate brake failure is through a brake inspection from a qualified Calgary automotive repair shop like Lakeview Automotive.

Understanding Brake Pads Keeps You Safe

You probably take your braking system for granted. Most of us do. Understanding how things work gives you the needed information to ensure you keep up on maintenance. Here is information that can help you better manage your car’s upkeep:

1. History of Brake Pads: To stop a spinning wheel, you need friction. The earliest cars relied on a lever to rub a wooden block against the wheel. That was a workable solution considering cars didn’t go fast. As the automobile evolved, so did the braking system. In 1898, Elmer Ambrose Sperry invented the front-wheel disc brake and brake pad that pinched the rotor or disc, causing the vehicle to slow and stop.
2. How Today’s Brake Pads Work on Your Car: Today’s automobiles are much more sophisticated. As you drive down the road and push the brake pedal to stop, the brake cylinder releases brake fluid down a hose to the calipers, which causes your brake pads to apply pressure to your rotor. Since the rotor is directly connected to your wheel, it slows them down. When you release your brake pedal pressure, the system reverses, sending fluid away from your calipers and towards your cylinder. Your car is free to keep moving.
3. What to Watch Out for: Nothing lasts forever. You will find that your ear will pick up funny sounds that may indicate a problem. Here are a few of them:
4. Screaming or grinding – When you go to stop and hear a piercing sound, it could mean you have worn pads.
5. Vibrating steering wheel or brake pedal – Worn brake pads can lead to rotor damage from the metal-on-metal rubbing.
6. Brake warning light – Don’t ignore a dashboard light. Your car is telling you that something is wrong, like low brake fluid or an engaged parking brake.
7. When to Get Your Brake Pads Inspected: Always start with your manufacturer’s recommendation. In general, you want to have a thorough brake inspection every five months or 8,000 kms unless you hear grinding, squeaking, or squealing noises. If you hear these sounds, have them checked right away.

Stay Safe – Get Brake Service Done by Lakeview Automotive 

Whether you drive a Subaru, Ford, or any make of car, upkeep of your vehicle starts at a dependable Calgary auto repair shop like Lakeview Automotive. We love working on vehicles of all makes and models, especially Fords and Subarus. We offer many services, including brake service, general maintenance, and even engine rebuilds. No job is too small or too big. We believe you deserve to drive a safe automobile, so we give you the best service around with knowledgeable technicians. Contact us today!

Call us at 403-242-1575 or book an appointment to get your brake inspection in Calgary.