Keeping Your Car Clean

I still remember the day that I bought my first car. I thought it was the most perfect vehicle in the world, and I vowed to care for it diligently. Unfortunately, within a few days I had forgotten about my promise, and I started tossing fast food wrappers in the back like everyone else. After awhile I realized that neglecting my car was turning the inside into a garbage pit, and I decided to learn how to take better care of my vehicle. I took a class on auto detailing, and it really helped me to turn things around. I want to teach you what I learned, so you should read this blog.

Why Your Car Brakes May Fail

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Your car's braking system allows you to slow down or stop the car while driving. With that said, problems with the brakes can be incredibly dangerous as they affect your car's handling and overall safety on the road.

While brake malfunction may happen due to many different factors, here are some common culprits behind the problem.

Worn Brake Pads

Every time you apply pedal pressure, a bit of the sacrificial friction material on your brake pads gets rubbed away. This can continue to the point where the brake pads wear thin and can no longer create friction with the rotors, resulting in brake failure.

If your auto brake pads are worn, you'll need to replace them.

Leaking Brake Fluid

Hydraulic car braking systems use brake fluid to convert pedal pressure into stopping power. If there isn't enough brake fluid to perform this action, your brakes will fail. A low brake fluid level is usually caused by the presence of leaks within the braking system.

To fix this problem, you'll need to fix all brake fluid leaks before adding more fluid to your brakes.  

Worn Brake Rotors

Although they are not designed to wear out faster than the brake pads, your brake rotors too are wear items. Over time, worn rotors can become less effective at creating friction with the brake pads, resulting in reduced stopping power. Replace your brake rotors if they are too far worn to be serviced.

Faulty Brake Caliper

Although it is not regarded as a wear item, your auto brake caliper can fail from normal use. Common causes of brake caliper failure include the following:

  • Dirt accumulation
  • Corrosion
  • Brake fluid leaks
  • Bad guide pins

If the problem cannot be fixed, you may need to replace your brake caliper.

Collapsed Brake Lines

Your car's brake lines are what transfer brake fluid from the master cylinder to the calipers when you apply the brakes. If they are damaged, they can lead to a myriad of brake issues with your car, including:

  • Dashboard brake warning light turning on
  • Brake fluid leaks
  • Spongy brake pedal
  • Poor vehicle handling

Damaged brake lines will need to be removed and replaced and fresh fluid added to the braking system.

The brakes are one of those car parts that should be kept in good working condition because they are crucial for ensuring vehicle safety. If you see the signs of brake trouble, visit a local auto mechanic for car brake repair.

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1 February 2022