LET’S TAKE A “BRAKE”
With Erich Schmidt
Owner of Schmidt Auto Care
As a technician for many years, and now an auto shop owner, I take vehicle safety very seriously. I like to ensure our Service Specialist is educating our clients on why it’s important to take care of the issues found by our ASE Certified Technicians, and not just hurry them out the door uninformed and confused. Every person who steps foot through our facility is thought of as family, and we want to keep our family safe on the roads. So, to make sure you are a little safer in your vehicle, I am going to talk about brakes. They aren’t the most fun and flashy topic in a car, but they are very important.
In fact, brakes are one of the most important facets of your vehicle's systems. This means no slouching on taking care of the brake systems. Regular brake repair and maintenance work is essential to the longevity of your car. Whether it’s new brake pads, rotors, drums, checking your brake fluid, or an emergency brake service, you need to be monitoring your brake wear and tear. In case you don’t know what to look for with brakes, I created a list of warning signs. Should any of these occur, schedule an appointment at your favorite shop, Schmidt Auto Care, sooner than later. Your vehicle needs to be in proper working order if on the road to not only best protect you and your family, but the people who are on the roads around you.
WARNING SIGNS:
- When your car's brakes screech or squeal.
- When your brake pedal is low, hard, soft, or spongy.
- When your steering wheel shudders under braking.
- When your vehicle loses grip under braking.
- When your vehicle pulls to the left or right under braking.
- When your vehicle takes longer to stop than normal.
In case you do have an issue with your brakes, and find yourself in an automotive shop, here is some information on brakes that you may find helpful. All cars have one of two types of braking systems or a combination of both. Let me explain the difference
DRUM BRAKES: Brake shoes, with linings attached, are situated inside brake drums. These drums revolve with the wheel. When pressure is applied to the brake pedal, hydraulic fluid in the braking system forces the brake shoes outward until the linings meet the inside of the drum, forcing it to stop.
DISC BRAKES: These brakes operate on a similar principle, except that the brake consists of a stationary caliper, with a disc revolving with the wheel. When the pedal is pressed down, hydraulic pressure forces pads in the caliper to clamp on the disc, much like the operation of a bicycle brake. Most late model cars have disc brakes or a combination of front disc and rear drum brakes.
Remember, brakes are sensitive to heat, water, and moisture. They need to be looked at regularly since pads and linings wear every single time you put your foot on the brake pedal. Ask yourself these questions. Are you constantly in stop and go traffic, or are you a highway driver that doesn’t use as much brake? Are you driving a heavier or lighter vehicle? Do you have aggressive braking habits, or are you easy on the brakes? Do you live in an extreme weather environment, or do you have more stable weather in your area? All these things also play into the lifespan of your brakes. And the lifespan of your brakes will directly affect the health of your vehicle. Let’s keep that car healthy.
Thanks for taking the car “brake” with me today.
As always, we want our community, to be informed and feel confident when they step inside an automotive shop. If you have a question you want to be answered or a topic you want to be discussed, reach out to us at contactus@schmidtautocare.com.
Drive Safely
LET’S TAKE A “BRAKE”
With Erich Schmidt
Owner of Schmidt Auto Care
As a technician for many years, and now an auto shop owner, I take vehicle safety very seriously. I like to ensure our Service Specialist is educating our clients on why it’s important to take care of the issues found by our ASE Certified Technicians, and not just hurry them out the door uninformed and confused. Every person who steps foot through our facility is thought of as family, and we want to keep our family safe on the roads. So, to make sure you are a little safer in your vehicle, I am going to talk about brakes. They aren’t the most fun and flashy topic in a car, but they are very important.
In fact, brakes are one of the most important facets of your vehicle's systems. This means no slouching on taking care of the brake systems. Regular brake repair and maintenance work is essential to the longevity of your car. Whether it’s new brake pads, rotors, drums, checking your brake fluid, or an emergency brake service, you need to be monitoring your brake wear and tear. In case you don’t know what to look for with brakes, I created a list of warning signs. Should any of these occur, schedule an appointment at your favorite shop, Schmidt Auto Care, sooner than later. Your vehicle needs to be in proper working order if on the road to not only best protect you and your family, but the people who are on the roads around you.
WARNING SIGNS:
- When your car's brakes screech or squeal.
- When your brake pedal is low, hard, soft, or spongy.
- When your steering wheel shudders under braking.
- When your vehicle loses grip under braking.
- When your vehicle pulls to the left or right under braking.
- When your vehicle takes longer to stop than normal.
In case you do have an issue with your brakes, and find yourself in an automotive shop, here is some information on brakes that you may find helpful. All cars have one of two types of braking systems or a combination of both. Let me explain the difference
DRUM BRAKES: Brake shoes, with linings attached, are situated inside brake drums. These drums revolve with the wheel. When pressure is applied to the brake pedal, hydraulic fluid in the braking system forces the brake shoes outward until the linings meet the inside of the drum, forcing it to stop.
DISC BRAKES: These brakes operate on a similar principle, except that the brake consists of a stationary caliper, with a disc revolving with the wheel. When the pedal is pressed down, hydraulic pressure forces pads in the caliper to clamp on the disc, much like the operation of a bicycle brake. Most late model cars have disc brakes or a combination of front disc and rear drum brakes.
Remember, brakes are sensitive to heat, water, and moisture. They need to be looked at regularly since pads and linings wear every single time you put your foot on the brake pedal. Ask yourself these questions. Are you constantly in stop and go traffic, or are you a highway driver that doesn’t use as much brake? Are you driving a heavier or lighter vehicle? Do you have aggressive braking habits, or are you easy on the brakes? Do you live in an extreme weather environment, or do you have more stable weather in your area? All these things also play into the lifespan of your brakes. And the lifespan of your brakes will directly affect the health of your vehicle. Let’s keep that car healthy.
Thanks for taking the car “brake” with me today.
As always, we want our community, to be informed and feel confident when they step inside an automotive shop. If you have a question you want to be answered or a topic you want to be discussed, reach out to us at contactus@schmidtautocare.com.
Drive Safely
