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Brake Job Checklist – This Is What Your Auto Mechanic Will Do

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What’s involved in a brake job? Do mechanics have a brake job checklist they work through to ensure every part of your braking system is working the way it should?

While very few of us think much about the braking system or how it works on our vehicles, there’s no denying its importance. Imagine sailing down the mountain after a day of skiing, and your brakes won’t work. That’s a pretty scary thought.

Luckily, that rarely happens. And if your car is well maintained, those chances reduce even more.

Is a brake job do-it-yourself or should you hire a mechanic?Brake Job Checklist - This Is What Your Auto Mechanic Will Do

If you’ve ever pushed the brake pedal to the floor and had a hard time engaging the brake system, you know how important your car’s brakes are.

If you’ve ever pressed down on the brake pedal on ice and slid as if your brake system wasn’t there, you know how important your brakes really are.

If your brakes don’t work, you put you and your vehicle’s occupants at risk. The good news is your car gives you warning signs long before the brakes fail.

Brake light on – today’s modern vehicles have all kinds of sensors to tell you when things need servicing. These lights are there for a reason; don’t ignore them. When you see the brake light turn on, get it serviced as soon as possible to determine what the problem is.

Noises – because your brake system is one of the most important systems, engineers have built in sounds to capture attention long before you will have trouble. If you start hearing a high-pitched noise when you apply the brake pedal, it’s warning you your brake pads are wearing thin. They are made of steel so when they come in contact with the rotors, this sound begins.

Vibration – you might also start to feel vibrations as you apply the brakes. It shakes the steering wheel and pulls you to one side or the other. If brake rotors wear unevenly, they give the appearance of wobbling as you attempt to slow down. The rotors should be even to provide a smooth stopping experience.

Fluid leaks – when you tap on the brake pedal, brake fluid is pushed through the system creating hydraulic pressure. If there is a leak in the system, there may not be enough pressure for the brake system to complete the action. If you experience a soft brake pedal, where the pedal moves all the way to the floor before it catches resistance – there is most likely a leak somewhere in the system.

Burning smell – if you smell a strong chemical odor after braking hard or using the brakes repeatedly driving down steep inclines, it could be a sign of overheated brakes. Get to a safe place and allow your brakes to cool. Check your parking brake to ensure it’s fully released and not inhibiting your car from moving. Ensure there isn’t any smoke coming from the wheel, which could be a sign of a stuck caliper. When in doubt, call for help.

Because your braking system is one of the most important parts of your automobile, error on the side of caution. When in doubt, have your brakes checked. If you have experience working with cars, you can perform the check yourself. If not, it’s best left to the professionals.

What’s included on a brake job checklist?

When you bring your car into a reputable mechanic for a complete brake job, they will move through the vehicle’s entire braking system checking off steps as they go. They will check and do the following:

  • Test drive the car
  • Inspect the tires
  • Check entire suspension system
  • Look for leaking, cracked, or damaged hoses
  • Replace leaking or damaged steel lines
  • Rebuild or replace leaking or damaged calipers
  • Look for leaks or broken pistons or guide pins and replace the caliper
  • Check to master cylinder for leaks
  • Test the brake pedal
  • Inspect rotors and drums for damage
  • Change out the brake pads or shoes
  • Service wheel bearings
  • Lubricate places like caliper slides and shoe pads
  • Check brake fluid and flush if necessary
  • Adjust the parking brake
  • Replace faulty sensors

There’s a lot that goes into using a brake job checklist. Safety matters, so all good mechanics will use this step by step guide to ensure everything is working properly to keep you and your vehicle’s occupants safe.

Brake pad wear

When many people refer to having a brake job, what they are actually referring to is replacing their brake pads. Brake pads wear every time you apply the brake pedal. If you drive mostly in the city, they are being used dozens – hundreds  of times per day as you stop and go with the flow of the traffic.

But don’t think they get a break just because you hit the highway. If you are towing a trailer or have heavy loads, those brake pads work hard no matter how often you apply the brakes. Mountain driving adds in its own special circumstances, often requiring constant pressure as you move up and down the hills.

While a brake system is designed to apply wear evenly on the brake pads, it doesn’t always happen as intended. If you notice abnormal brake wear patterns, that can tell you things too.

Tapered wear – worn caliper hardware

Only one pad worn – caliper or piston hanging up

Grooved surfaces – problems with the rotors

Chipped surfaces – excessive heat buildup

Step in lining – the pads don’t line up correctly – installed incorrectly

If you notice any of these on your brake pads, your best course of action is to schedule an appointment right away.

Braking system care

One of the most effective ways to ensure your car’s performance and safety every day of the year is to properly maintain your brakes. There are a lot of ways you can ensure your car is operating the way it should. Brake deterioration is often caused by:

  • Carrying too much weight – only carry what is needed within your vehicle.
  • Heavy braking – turn aggressive driving into a more passive driving routine. Every time you jump on the brakes because you’re traveling too close to the vehicle in front of you, you add wear to your braking system.
  • Wet weather – be especially mindful of your brakes when road conditions change because of rain, snow, or ice. Give yourself plenty of room to brake, adding extra distance between you and other vehicles to ensure your safety.

Your brakes are your safety net for the road. Without them, you could put you, your vehicle, and your family in precarious situations. If you think you have a problem with your brakes, don’t delay. Schedule a visit with one of our mechanics, where we’ll run through our brake job checklist and ensure every aspect of your braking system is working the way it should.

How Tires Affect Your Brake System

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As you drive around the city, you have a lot on your mind. Your to-do list is in hand – stop by the dry cleaners, pick up groceries, grab a coffee to go. How much can you do between meetings, or before you have to pick the kids up from school? Your daily list goes on and on.

You probably don’t think much about your car. Yet eventually, your car won’t act “normal.” Something will seem a bit off. It’ll make a strange noise. It won’t handle the way it has in the past.

For some issues, it’s not a big deal. You can drive for a while with only minor inconvenience. But what about if you notice your car isn’t stopping like it once did?How Tires Affect Your Brake System

Logically, if you want to give your car better braking ability, you assume it means installing new brakes. Your brake system is responsible for turning kinetic energy from your moving car into heat. If the brakes aren’t operating the way they should, that process won’t work the way it’s supposed to.

Can tires affect brakes?

But it’s more than the brake system that gives your car the ability to stop. Tires play their part too. The brakes may be the one part that give your car control and help you slow down, but without the tires, you wouldn’t have the quickness and stability that you do.

All of today’s passenger cars have anti-lock braking systems, also known as ABS. ABS prevents your wheels from locking up when you hard brake. This gives you control in emergency situations. Otherwise, when you pounce on the brakes and your front wheels lock up, you’d lose the ability to steer where you want to go.

If you’ve ever pressed down on your brake pedal with urgency, you’ll hear the ABS pump working. You’ll feel the ABS vibrating through the brake pedal as the system works to create the right amount of pressure to each wheel.

ABS tells the overall braking system that the wheel has stopped rotating, but the tire can’t keep up with the force. Your braking system is perfectly happy to keep applying pressure to stop the rotation of the wheel. But if your tires are capable of withstanding the pressure, more pressure serves no purpose. Your tires will be the problem in the process.

So, tires control braking instead of the brake system?

No, not exactly. The two go hand in hand. Your brakes would continue to work with or without tires in place. It’s the safety and ride that are impacted by tires. While the wheels, calipers, rotors, and brake pads all play their part in how your vehicle stops, tire grip also plays a role. No matter how good of a braking system you install in your car, the stopping power will only be as good as how the tires connect to the road.

Can bald tires affect braking?

One of the most dangerous things you can do is to drive on bald tires. According to the Crash causation Survey of the NHTSA, 9 percent of all crashes were based on tire-related issues. While bald tires aren’t the only thing attributed to increased risk factors, it is a significant characteristic that can increase the likelihood of an accident, especially when  you add in road conditions commonplace across the Front Range.

It’s the tires that keep you on the road. The amount of tread left on the tires plays an integral part in how well it grips the road. Even in the best of circumstances, the available traction is what keeps your car safe as pick up speed or stop. As conditions change, your risk factors quickly escalate.

Bald tires on dry roads are at an increased risk of a blowout. As the tread wears away, the tire’s structure also becomes thinner and more at risk. It makes it easier to puncture, and if the tire is filled with too much air, it’s at an increased risk for failure as you pick up speed.

When you add in wet road conditions, you also increase the risk of hydroplaning. The tread pattern in a tire helps channel away water. As the tread wears down, it can no longer move water away from the tire, creating tension between the road and the tire. Your stopping distance expands exponentially, as well as your chances of skidding out of control.

Now let’s add in snow and icy conditions, something that’s commonplace here in Denver. Without proper tread, you are essentially at the mercy of the icy road. You’ll slide along on the surface no matter what condition your brakes are in.

Of course, it’s not just ice and snow that can impact your car. The heat of the summer has its problems too. A tire’s tread actually works to prevent massive heat buildup as you move down the street. As temperatures climb towards triple digits in the summer, balding tires have no way to dissipate the heat of the air flow, cooling your tires. When tires overheat, they are at increased risk for blowouts.

Will my car ride better with new tires?

The obvious answer is: yes. When you install new tires onto your vehicle, you’ll have better performance from the moment you take it out onto the street. They’ll have more tread, more grip, and provide you with a smoother ride.

Of course, it ultimately depends on the problem you were trying to correct.

Tires affect the braking system, but the two are separate parts to your car. You can’t stop without quality tires in place. You can’t stop unless your braking system is working the way it should. The two have equal bearing on the safety and handling of your car.

If your vehicle isn’t stopping the way it should and you aren’t sure where the problem lies, the best place to start is with an inspection. We can look over your entire system and determine what’s preventing you from driving as your car is intended to perform. Together we can make your car a safer, more reliable tool to help you get through your busy days.

Should All Brake Pads Be Replaced At Once?

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When something wears out, you replace it. That’s a time-honored philosophy we learn as kids and use throughout our lives.

But on some things, the concept isn’t as straightforward as with others. If your dishwasher breaks, for example, you get a new dishwasher.

Your vehicle has four wheels, four tires, four brake pads. Logic would say that when one wears out, you replace it. That isn’t the case.Should All Brake Pads Be Replaced At Once?

Should all brake pads be replaced at once? The short answer is that you should think of your brake pads in pairs: front and rear. If one brake pad has problems or wears down, you need to replace a set at a time.

Before we get into why that’s so, let’s start at the beginning, with how your braking system works.

What Brake Calipers Do

Brake calipers are an essential part of your vehicle’s braking system. Most of the vehicles on the road today use disc brakes to stop and slow the car. With a disc braking system, a car’s wheels have metal discs, also called rotors, attached that spin along with the wheel as you move. When you press on the brake pedal to slow or stop, calipers create friction against the rotor and slow the car down.

If you look at your braking system, the caliper fits over the rotor, resembling a clamp. Inside each caliper is a pair of metal plates – these are your brake pads. Known as outboard and inboard brake pads, they sit on either side of the rotor to put pressure on from both sides.

When you step on the brake pedal, brake fluid is released from the master cylinder. It creates pressure in the pistons of the brake caliper, which forces the brake pads against the rotor. Brake pads are made from high-friction material that slows down the rotor when contact is made. And since the rotor is attached to the wheel, the car slows down in the process.

There are two main types of calipers on today’s cars: fixed and floating.

Fixed calipers don’t move; they have pistons on both sides of the rotor. Fixed calipers are often thought of as high-performance, but they are more expensive than floating calipers. Fixed calipers, in general, have two or more pairs of pistons per rotor, but can go as high as six.

Floating calipers move in and out under pressure. One or two pistons will be on the inboard side of the rotor, pushing the entire caliper when the brake pedal is pushed.

Every time the brake pads come in contact with the rotor, they wear down a little. They become thinner and thinner until they can no longer do their jobs. The pistons continue to push the brake pads closer to the rotors, until they are fully extended. At this point, it’s time to replace your brake pads with a fresh set.

Which leads us back to our original question:

Should All Brake Pads Be Replaced At Once?

Brake pads on the front of your car will wear differently than the brake pads on the back. The reason is that your front brake pads actually do most of the work, with up to 70 percent of all braking action occurring in the front of your car.

When you step on the brake pedal, the weight transfers to the front of the car. The downward force is greater on the front tires, resulting in more friction between the front wheels and the road. With more force being applied to the front of the car, the action actually decreases in the back of the car. Braking is directly proportional to the amount of downward force applied to the wheels of your car.

Car manufacturers know this, so they create different braking grip between the front and back braking systems to improve overall performance with your vehicle. If equal pressure were to be applied equally, your back brakes would lock up earlier and cause your car to be squirrely under heaving braking conditions.

With more force being applied to the front of the vehicle every time you step on the brake pedal, it’s easy to see why your front brake pads wear out before the rear. This is why it’s possible you’ll have to replace your front brake pads more than your back.

But if you’ve ever looked at your brake pads, it is possible to have one side wear out faster than the other. If a brake caliper is defective, for example, it might cause the brake pad to wear quickly and need replacing long before the brake pad on the other side of the car. Why can’t you just replace the worn out brake pad? Why are they replaced in pairs?

So that both sides of the brake system are equal and work evenly to stop your vehicle. When you apply pressure to the brake pedal, it causes the brake pads to push against the rotors to stop the car. If the pads are uneven, it can stop one wheel faster than the other, making your car swerve.

How Often Should You Replace Your Brakes?

Different makes and models have different requirements. But it is important to note that your braking system is one of the most important parts of your vehicle to keep you safe and secure. When in doubt, replace.

Today’s cars are built with efficiency in mind. You’ll find different braking aids to push replacement farther out, meaning you can drive farther on every set of brakes you purchase. Some newer cars are installed with electronic brake force distribution, or EBD. The is a processing system that applies more braking power through the real wheel system, which will cause them to wear faster than other models.

You’ll also find cars with anti-lock brakes, or ABS. This is a cycling braking system where pressure is applied on and off in a series of bursts to both the rear and front wheels. This will increase brake pad wear, as well.

It’s Time For A Checkup

Of course, there are many ways your car signals brake pads are wearing down. We’ve written about them here and here. You might notice a flashing light on your dashboard. You might feel it as it becomes more difficult to stop.

Whenever you have a question about how well your brakes are working, don’t delay. Have them checked out from one of our mechanics to determine how safe they really are.

Are Brake Flushes Good or Bad?

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Your car is something you probably use every day. You use it to drive you to work and back. You use it to run all the little errands that come up during the day.

You know it’s important to keep gas in your car. As the needle moves towards empty, you make the time to drive through the nearest gas station and fill up the tank.

You also watch your mileage and keep an eye on when the last time you replaced the oil in your car. It’s important to keep your vehicle running well, and without the proper amount of oil, you’ll notice problems almost immediately.Are Brake Flushes Good or Bad?

But there’s another fluid that people rarely think much about. Brake fluid is one that exists in your car and is an important part of your braking system, yet we rarely think much about it.

Until problems begin.

Are brake flushes necessary? Will they help your car stay in good working condition? Let’s start with the basics.

Brake fluid and its purpose

Any time you see the word “fluid” you should now that it’s vitally important to well-being. Just like you can’t live your best life without a daily intake of water, your vehicle can’t run without proper fluid levels, including brake fluid.

Brake fluid is what allows your braking system to exist. Brake fluid allows pressure from your foot to transfer into the braking system and easily bring your 3000+ car to a stop in all conditions. Whether you’re creeping through a neighborhood, or flying down the highway, it’s brake fluid that gives you the power of stopping quickly whenever you desire.

Pretty cool when you think about how brake fluid works.

Overall, brake fluid has two purposes:

  • It transfers and multiplies energy
  • It lubricates moving parts and keeps them running the way they should

Energy doesn’t have the ability to dissipate on its own. It can only be converted into another form. The physics of a vehicle’s braking system makes it possible to transfer kinetic energy – the power of moving forward – into heat, and dissipating that heat on demand. This process is done through the brake system, using rotors and brake pads for slowing and stopping.

Brake fluid is what makes this process possible. It’s a special fluid with a high boiling point of over 400 degrees Fahrenheit. When installed correctly, brake fluid is dry, without moisture. However, brake fluid is also hygroscopic, which means it attracts moisture.

That might seem like it wouldn’t be a problem here in dry Colorado, but you’d be surprised at how easily water can infiltrate the system. And with even just a couple percentage points of moisture mixed in with brake fluid can cause the boiling point to drop severely.

Why is that important?

When parts get exceedingly hot, they rust, deteriorate, and corrode, which leads to premature failure.

As parts start to fail, they crack, leak, and break apart. Rubber, flakes of metal, dirt, small bits of plastic – it all can move into your brake fluid as the brake system deteriorates over time.

And as that happens, the brake fluid can no longer do its job.

Is it necessary to take care of this once in a while? Does your vehicle need a brake flush from time to time? The answer is: yes.

How often are brake flushes needed in today’s cars? 

Now that you know flushing out the system and adding new brake fluid is important, the next question is, “how often?”

The answer, as you would expect, is: it depends.

As a general rule of thumb, most auto manufacturers recommend flushing the brake fluid every two to three years, or every 24,000 to 36,000 miles. Of course, not every car manufacturer recommends brake flushes on the same schedule, so it’s important to check with your owner’s manual before starting the process. You can also give us a call for advice; we’re happy to take a look at your current brake system and give you a good idea of how well it operates and what to do to keep your car working well.

Is flushing brakes a do it yourself job?

Cars are more sophisticated than ever before. So do-it-yourselfers are comfortable changing the oil or installing a new battery. But brake flushes are more complicated than opening up a plug and letting the fluid drain, followed by adding a can or two of oil back into the system. Do it the wrong way, and your car won’t operate the way it should. And that’s not a situation you want for your family or other occupants.

Brake flushing involves removing all brake fluid from the brake system and inputting new brake fluid back inside. If you’ve heard the term “bleed the brakes,” it comes from removing enough brake fluid to remove air bubbles from the brake line and create a safe system for your car.

How do you know what brake fluid your vehicle uses? You can check the cap on your brake master cylinder, which should indicate on the outside what type of brake fluid your car uses. Your owner’s manual might also list the type of brake fluid your vehicle uses. But keep in mind, brake fluid isn’t something you’ll locate in your local big box store; it isn’t as readily available as motor oil.

There are two basic types of brake fluid on the market, a glycol-based and a silicon-based. Glycol-based absorbs water, while silicon-based does not.

The two are not interchangeable. You can’t substitute one for the other and have your brake system work. They react against one another and will corrode your brake system. You should also be careful not to spill brake fluid on your car as it will eat paint.

For all these reasons and more, it’s wise to leave brake flushes to professional mechanics.

Do you have other brake flush related questions?

It takes a lot of work to ensure your car stays working the way it should. You want your car to run when you need it, be reliable every time you pull away from home. To do that, have a trustworthy mechanic ready to help you keep your vehicle in its best condition, ready to keep your family safe every month of the year.

If you have any questions about your vehicle’s performance or reliability, we’re here to help. Contact us throughout our automated form, or give us a call today.

4 Signs You Might Need New Brakes

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Driving here in the Denver metro area isn’t an option; it’s a necessity. While mass transit is increasing, most of us only use it on a part-time basis. It might work if you work downtown, or if you want to head to a ballgame, but eventually, you’ll have to climb behind the wheel and drive to where you need to go.

It’s easy to forget how much power you have when you put your car into motion. Thousands of pounds of steel can fly down the highway at fifty, sixty, seventy miles per hour or more.

We rely on everything to work the way it should. And if you maintain your vehicle properly, everything will work correctly.

But imagine if you push down on the brake pedal and nothing happens. That can be a scary feeling as you’re slowing for a stop sign in the middle of Denver. Now imagine that same thing happening on your way home from a ski weekend, flying down I-70.

How important are your brakes? At that moment, you’re likely to think they’re the most essential things in the world.4 Signs You Might Need New Brakes

Eventually, every car will need new brakes. Every part on a vehicle will wear out over time.

The critical part of the process is recognizing the signs and replacing your brakes long before they become a problem. The last thing you want is to put your family, or the lives of others out on the road in jeopardy. Luckily, your vehicle does give you warning signs that your brakes have a problem.

This can help you determine when to replace old brakes with new brakes, and ensure your car keeps working the way it should.

How brakes work

Before you can understand the signs of brake failure, it’s important to know how brakes work.

Most cars on the road today use disc brakes. These function in much the same way as your multi-speed bicycle. Have you ever gripped the brake handle on a bike and noticed two pads clamping down on the tire to stop it?

With a vehicle, a hydraulic system is filled with brake fluid that triggers a set of brake pads to clamp down on the wheel whenever the brake pedal is pushed to start the stopping process. These padded clamps are known as calipers, and the squeeze together onto a disc down as the rotor. As the brake pads connect with the disc, friction occurs until eventually, the car stops.

Think, for a moment, about how much heat this friction generates. While new pads may be strong and powerful, eventually, this material wears down. The thinner it gets, the more chance your brake system has of failing. That means a slowing effect at stopping your car.

This leads to your first sign of brake failure.

Worn Brake Pads

Brake pads are crafted from a variety of different materials.

Most cars use semi-metallic brake pads. These pads are made of metal shavings of copper, steel, graphite, and brass, all bonded together with resin to create a high-quality product that works well for everyday driving.

Some vehicles look for better performance and choose organic brake pads. These are comprised of non-metallic components like glass, rubber, and Kevlar, bonded in resin.

Still others choose ceramic brake pads comprised mostly of ceramic fibers and bonded together using resin. They often have copper fibers woven within. These are designed for performance vehicles, including racing cars that generate higher levels of heat when applying the brakes.

Checking to determine if your brake pads are worn is a fairly straightforward process. All you need to do is look through the spokes of your wheel and find the disc or rotor inside. You’ll notice the caliper sits on the outer edge. Between the caliper and the rotor is the brake pad. Brake pads should be at least one-quarter inch thick to work properly. If the brake pad appears to be thinner than this, it’s time to add new brake pads.

If your car is designed in such a way that you can’t see through it, you’ll need to remove your tire to see the rotor and pads. If you don’t have experience in doing this yourself, we can do it for you and let you know how much life your brake pads have.

Strange Sounds

If you’ve had your vehicle for a while, chances are you know all the sounds your car makes. When a squeal occurs, it’ll come to your immediate attention.

Brake pads are designed to produce this sound to let you know it’s time for replacement. A small indicator is built into the braking system to give you a warning sign that servicing is necessary. This sound is designed to be loud, so you’ll hear it over the radio or other things going on in your car.

In addition to squealing, you might also hear grinding. This means your brake pads are completely worn through, and the calipers are now grinding against the metal of your rotors. If this continues to occur, you’ll damage the rotor, and it will no longer be as simple or as inexpensive as merely replacing the brake pads.

Pulling Sensation

Have you ever felt as if your car is driving on its own? That it’s pulling you to the right or left while you’re driving or braking?

This is a sign of a potential problem with your brake system. It might be a sign of a stuck caliper. If it’s stuck, it will cause friction to one wheel and not the others. This would create a pull to one side of the vehicle as your driving and stopping.

A broken brake hose could also cause your calipers to move unevenly, making it feel like your car is pulling to one side or the other. It would apply different levels of pressure when you press the brake pedal, causing more friction to one side or the other.

Vibrations

Have you ever pushed down on the brake pedal, and a quick pulsating feeling comes through as the car slows? This goes beyond the feeling of anti-lock brakes. If you notice this happening through your brake pedal, and it gets worse the farther you press down, you could have a problem.

A vibrating brake pedal often indicates you have warped rotors. When the surface area becomes uneven, the brake pads won’t connect smoothly. You’ll feel this as the wheel goes around and continues to slow.

In addition to this thrumming feeling, you might also notice your brake pedal becomes mushy, and pushes all the way down before engaging the brakes. This might be a problem with the brake pads, or a fluid leak in the hydraulic system. If you’ve noticed a leak underneath your car, brake fluid has a clear consistency similar to cooking oil.

The opposite can also occur, where the brakes grab at the slightest touch. This might be a worn rotor or dirty brake fluid. Your mechanic can help you define the problem and solve it as quickly as possible.

Few can deny that a brake system is one of the most critical systems in a car. If you think you need new brakes, or aren’t sure where the problem lies, stop by today. We’ll help you get back on the road again safely in no time.

How Often Should Brake Fluid Be Serviced?

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To keep your car running, it’s necessary to pull into the gas station every few hundred miles for a fill-up. You don’t think about it. You just do it.

Unfortunately, other car maintenance routines aren’t as automatic. You may fill up your windshield washer fluid when it’s empty because your vision becomes impaired through the dirt on the windshield. You may pull in for an oil change because the sticker on your window gives you a date and mileage number to shoot for.

But what about brake fluid?

What does brake fluid does for your car?

Brake fluid is also known as hydraulic fluid. Brake fluid allows the various components of your car’s brake system to move and operate efficiently. Without brake fluid, your vehicle wouldn’t come to a stop when you pushed down on the brake pedal.How Often Should Brake Fluid Be Serviced?

Brake fluid is designed to operate under high temperature and high pressure. It’s a non-compressible fluid that is housed within the brake lines, and is delivered to the various braking components when you press down on the pedals. It’s brake fluid that helps apply pressure to all four wheels, bringing your car to a stop. It works like this:

  • When you want to stop or slow down, you press down on the brake pedal.
  • The pedal starts the braking process by compressing a piston that resides in each brake caliper.
  • This process increases the pressure within the brake line, sending brake fluid where it needs to go throughout the brake system.
  • Brake fluid causes the rotors to connect with the brake pads, which in turn makes contact with the wheels. This friction slows the rotation of the wheel, eventually bringing it to a stop.

Without brake fluid, your brake system wouldn’t work. If brake fluid runs low, is contaminated with dirt or grime, or doesn’t flow properly in any way, your braking system is compromised.

That would make your brake fluid pretty important, right? Yet it’s one of the most forgotten fluids in your vehicle.

What happens to brake fluid as it ages?

Brake fluid doesn’t exist in a perfectly sterile world. Over time, it absorbs moisture, which has the potential to lower the boiling point and raise the freezing point. Dirt infiltrates the fluid, increasing the possibility of corrosion throughout the braking system components.

This is a slower process than the motor oil you change out of your vehicle several times per year. But like any car fluid, your brake fluid has to be at optimal performance level for it to do its job correctly. Because brake fluid is an integral part of your car’s safety, check your owner’s manual to determine the recommended brake fluid changing schedule. If you think you might have a problem with your brake fluid, have one of our mechanics check it out to ensure your safety.

How do you check brake fluid?

When you open up the hood on your car, you’ll find brake fluid is usually stored in a translucent plastic container. You should be able to see the levels of brake fluid without removing the cap. This is different than other fluids where you can remove the cap and check levels with a dipstick, like your motor oil, or remove the cap for easy fill like with your windshield washer fluid.

With your brake fluid, you don’t want to open up the cap unless you plan on replacing the fluid. Opening it up invites moisture to settle inside, and as we already discussed, moisture isn’t something you want in the hydraulic system.

New brake fluid will be clear to a slightly-amber color when you first put it in. If you find your brake fluid has signs of rust or is a darker, dirtier color, it’s time for it to be serviced.

Are there different types of brake fluid?

Because brake function is so important, it stands to reason that there are different types of brake fluid for different levels of performance. Yet you don’t head down to your local auto parts store and find brake fluid brands and types on the shelf in the same manner as motor oil.

The two main types of brake fluid are either a glycol-based or silicon-based.

Glycol-based brake fluids are normally used in vehicles that use anti-lock brakes (ABS). Silicon-based brake fluids work only in cars that don’t have ABS braking system. The two are not interchangeable. You can’t add in silicon-based brake fluid after glycol-based brake fluid has been in the system. Small amounts will always remain, no matter how much you flush the system.

The Department of Transportation has labeled brake fluids as DOT3, DOT4, and DOT5. DOT3 and DOT4 are glycol-based, while DOT5 is silicon-based. DOT3 and DOT4 absorb water. DOT5 doesn’t.

The number indicates the boiling point of the fluid. The higher the number, the better quality and higher chance of withstanding higher temperatures. But that doesn’t mean every vehicle operates better with a higher brake fluid. Check your owner’s manual for details on which brake fluid is best for your car.

It’s also important to note that glycol-based brake fluids eat paint, so it’s important to let a trained mechanic handle brake fluid.

Can I change my car’s brake fluid myself?

By reading this article, you’ve probably determined that brake fluid is more difficult to work with compared to other fluids in your vehicle. It’s not a typical do-it-yourself project. Brake fluid should only be handled by someone with professional training.

Brake fluid is both more complicated and more dangerous to work with than other parts of your car. It’s not as simple as picking up a gallon at your favorite big box store and adding it to the reservoir.

There are two types of brake fluid, and they don’t mix. If you do, you risk damaging your vehicle. That can be an expensive endeavor. It’s important to choose the right fluid based on manufacturers’ guidelines, and placing it into your vehicle in a proper manner.

You’ll also find brake fluid hard to dispose of. It’s both toxic and combustible, so you don’t want to leave it sitting around in your garage. It has specific guidelines for disposal, one that your mechanic has access to and uses every day.

A well-trained mechanic knows the ins and outs of how to handle every aspect of your braking system, including brake fluid maintenance and removal.

To ensure the reliability of your car, and the safety of you and your family, let one of our trained mechanics help you with all of your vehicle’s needs.

How Can You Tell When You Need New Brake Pads?

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When you purchased your car, a lot of expectations were attached to it. Manufacturers suggest city and highway mileage, but that depends on how and where you drive. They also give you an estimate of when to replace your brake pads. How long they will last depends on a variety of factors too.

Here in Colorado, most car owners face a variety of situations throughout the year. A lot of mileage is put onto a vehicle driving to and from work. That means a lot of stop and go, waiting for stoplights and sitting in traffic jams.

On the weekends, you might head to your favorite spot in the mountains, using your brakes repeatedly as you wind through the hills.

Some people feel like they drive for a living; they may put 20,000 miles or more onto their vehicle every year. Others barely put 10,000; everything is close to home.

All of this determines how often you’ll need to put new brake pads onto your car. Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear-cut schedule that tells you when it’s time to replace your brake pads. You can’t say “every three months” like you would an oil change.

But it is essential to have them checked regularly as they are one of the most important parts of your car. Can you imagine coming back into Denver from a weekend up in Vail without brakes?

It’s a good idea to have your tires rotated every six months. At this time, a mechanic can also check the thickness of the brake pads and the condition of the calipers to ensure they are in good working order.

Of course, watching your brake pads is difficult at best. That’s why car manufacturers have installed other indicators to help you know when it’s time to replace your brake pads.

A squealing noise coming from your brakes

It’s hard to ignore this sound. Every time you tap on the brake pedal, a high pitched squeal comes from your brakes. Your brake pads will produce some noise without it being a problem. If they get wet after a rainstorm, they may squeal when you first start out. Where you should pay attention to the noise is when it happens all the time. If you notice a consistent sound every time you press the pedal to the floor, and it gets louder over time, it’s time to see a professional.

A deep grinding sound

Have you ever heard the grinding noise two pieces of metal make? If you hear it when you press down on the brake pedal, that’s an indication that your brake pads are worn. Some brake pads have small metal ridges built into the bottom of the pad. This is a safety factor, and ensures a loud noise will begin to alert the driver of potential failure. The first time you hear it, it’s a warning signal. You have time to get safely into your local repair shop and have new brake pads installed. But don’t ignore this. If you let the metal ridges wear, they could grind into other areas of your tire. When this happens, it’s not just your brake pads that will need replacing. Your costs will go up dramatically, and you’ll have more extensive repairs.

A vibrating brake pedal

Have you ever felt your brake pedal vibrate as you push it down? It can give you an unsteady feeling, like you’re losing control over your car. A vibrating brake pedal occurs when the brake rotor unevenly wears down. When you push on the brake pedal, it pushes the calipers against the wheel to slow. The unevenness has the same impact as warping, causing the rotor to shake or vibrate. That sensation is transferred to the brake pedal; you’ll feel it more when stopping from higher speeds. The longer you leave this problem without correction, the more damage it will cause to your entire braking system. To avoid further damage, get your brakes checked as soon as you can.

An indicator light

Depending on your make and model, you might also have an indicator light show up on your driving panel. With some cars, there is a sensor on the brake pad, and it will trigger a sensor when it reaches a certain level. When an indicator light turns on, you’ll need to have a mechanic check out the system and make a recommendation for how soon you’ll have to replace them.

A brake pad less than ¼ inch thick

Depending on the wheels you have in place on your car, you might be able to look between the spokes to see the brake pad attached to the rotor of the tire. If the brake pad appears to be less than ¼ inch thick, it’s time to have new brake pads installed.

We know that it’s never fun bringing your car into the shop, the sooner you replace your brake pads, the sooner you’ll be on your way. The more wear and tear with the brake system, the more damage will be done. And that means greater cost for you, as well as more time in the shop.

Luckily, we also have a few tips for you to prolong your brake pad life. If you’re an aggressive driver, you’re going to pay the price in repair bills.

Giving your brakes extended life requires just a few things:

Slow down

Brake pads work by turning energy into heat. The more energy they have to dissipate, the more wear they endure. If you find yourself consistently speeding up and slamming on the brakes, back off. Slow down so you’ll have a greater reaction time, and won’t need to apply the brakes as much.

One foot only 

If you two-foot your pedals, stop. Leaving your foot on the brake pedal means the brake pad pushes up against the rotor every mile you drive. This is a bad habit, one that will wear your brake pad out in record speed.

Lighten the load

How much stuff do you carry around? Is your vehicle loaded with sports equipment, school and work supplies, and other things for the “just in case?” That weight can add up. The more weight inside your vehicle, the more energy it takes to bring your vehicle to a stop. If you don’t need it regularly, leave your stuff at home.

Coast

Become a more aware driver and leave space between you and the other drivers. If you anticipate traffic flow, you can coast more than stopping quickly. You should also learn to use your gears for traveling downhill. That way, you can rely on gears for downshifting rather than applying the brakes.

Keep those brake pads in great shape, and you’ll ensure they have a long life.

But eventually, you’ll need to replace them to keep your vehicle safe. And when you do it in a timely manner, your new brake pads can be installed quickly and at the lowest cost. This will have you on the road in no time.

Have a question about brake pad replacement? We’re here to help.

How Does A Car’s Brakes Work?

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When most people purchase a car, they don’t think a lot about the individual pieces used to create the final vehicle.

You might look at make and model. You might look online for reviews. You might consider safety and select one that will provide you and your family miles of safe driving.

While it’s easy to take the time to select your preferred color, ensure it has the features you’ll enjoy, or even select one for a comfortable ride, rarely do you consider what makes it all work.

Did you stop to consider how your car’s brakes work, for example? Or did you just assume they work because of advancements in technology?How Does A Car’s Brakes Work?

Buying a new car usually means the brakes will work for years without trouble. It can be a bit more difficult if you purchase a used car. It depends on who you buy from and how well the vehicle was maintained.

But in either case, you’ll start driving your car as you move throughout your busy days, relying on the safety of your car.

How does a car’s brakes work?

How do you know you’re safe every time you step on the brake pedal?

There’s a lot riding on it.

Imagine sailing down the mountain after a day of skiing, only to discover nothing happens when you press the brake pedal down. That’s a pretty scary thought, isn’t it? Especially if you have your family inside the vehicle?

The braking system is a fantastic invention that helps you get from point A to point B safely and secure. So how does it work?

Motion

Let’s start at the beginning. The concept of braking is simple. Any time you’re in motion, it takes friction to slow down. A vehicle’s braking system takes kinetic energy and turns it into heat energy through the use of friction as it is applied to your wheels. Your wheels turn. Using friction, brakes convert this to heat energy, which slows and stops your car.

Pretty simple. But of course, there are many ways to approach it. You can even see this at work in the Flintstones cartoons where foot-power is used to slow and stop the vehicle.

Today’s cars are a lot more complicated, and we use this process in different ways to achieve the same results.

Brake System Parts

A car’s braking system is made up of a number of parts.

Brake pedal – this is the lever you press down on with your foot. The more pressure you apply, the more your car slows down until it eventually stops.

Brake booster – most vehicles today have power brakes. The brake booster is what increases the force of the stopping mechanism without having to increase the force of pressing down. There are two separate kinds of brake boosters – vacuum-assisted and hydraulic-assisted. Vacuum-assisted boosters create a vacuum using air coming in from the engine. Hydraulic-assisted uses hydraulic pressure from the vehicle’s power steering. As you step on the pedal, force created by this action kicks in and makes stopping easier.

Master cylinder – this holds the brake fluid. Brake fluid runs through the brake lines and into each wheel of your car. The master cylinder ensures power is sent to all four brakes at an even rate. Most master cylinders have two reservoirs, each filled with brake fluid. This is a fail-safe mechanism to give more assurance that if there’s a leak or a blockage, all four wheels won’t be impacted at the same time. On a rear-wheel drive car, one reservoir feeds to the front while the other supplies the rear. On a front-wheel drive car, it uses a diagonally split system because the front brakes do most of the braking. That ensures there is one line to each of the front brakes, to lessen the likelihood of complete failure.

Brake lines – these are steel tubes that connect the master cylinder to each of the four brakes on your car’s wheels. This is how brake fluid moves from the reservoirs in the master cylinder to each of the brakes.

Brakes – there are two different kinds of braking systems: drum brakes and disc brakes.

Drum brakes have been on cars for over one hundred years. Drums are attached to each wheel, with two heat-resistant pads inside. As you press down on the brake pedal, brake fluid moves into the drum. It activates two small pistons that control the brake pads and pressing out against the brake drum. This process slows the car down. Drum brakes are inexpensive and can last a long time. You’ll likely find them on the rear wheels of the vehicle.

Disc brakes were developed to combat the biggest problem with drum brakes: heat. Drum brakes are self contained. As heat builds, it has nowhere else to go. If they get too hot, they can no longer create the friction necessary to slow and stop. Disc brakes work in the opposite direction, squeezing the brake pads in towards a metal disc attached to the wheel. This creates more pressure, thus creating friction. And because the brakes don’t reside in a drum, they don’t get as hot as drum brakes do.

Of course, there are other tiny parts that make a big impact too. This is an intricate system designed to keep you safe as you slow and stop.

Brakes can become compromised in all kinds of conditions. Brake damage or failure can result from things such as improper maintenance, ignoring maintenance altogether, low levels of brake fluid, worn out brake pads, or even undetected damage from an unknown source. Colorado driving conditions often exacerbate the situation, especially if you travel mountain roads regularly, drive in extreme weather conditions, or often pull trailers and other sports or camping equipment  that can take its toll on brake systems.

Watch for these signs

To avoid potential brake problems that can leave your passengers at a safety risk, watch for:

Strange noises – if you tap on the brake and hear a high pitched squeal, a scraping noise, or a grinding noise, it might be your brake pads coming in contact with the disc.

Pulling feeling – if you notice your vehicle pulling to one side or the other when you tap on the brake pedal, it can be one of your brakes isn’t working the same as the other. If your brake pedal sinks to the floor, or pulsates before braking begins, it’s a sign your brakes need maintenance and attention.

Slowing takes more time – if it takes longer to slow and stop, it indicates a problem with your brakes.

Warning lights – don’t ignore those tiny lights that appear on the dashboard from time to time. They’re there for a reason.

Do you have a problem with your brakes? Stay safe and schedule an appointment today.

How Do I Check My Brake Pads?

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Think about how many times you count on your car’s brakes to do their jobs each day. You rely on them to stop you at the stop sign by your neighborhood elementary school. You rely on them in the parking lot at your local grocery store. You rely on them as you’re exiting the highway on your way to work.

What if they failed?

The consequences could be devastating. It’s the stuff action-thriller movies are made of. And while they may be fun to watch on Friday night, the last thing you want happening is to live it out in real life.

But how do you know when your brakes are no longer working? Can you check your brake pads and know they need replacing?How Do I Check My Brake Pads?

As your brake pads wear, they become thinner and won’t have the full stopping radius as when they were new. And that means your vehicle isn’t as safe for you or your occupants. If you can’t stop quickly, or it takes longer to come to a full stop, you’re more at risk.

How do I know if my brake pads are worn out?

Your vehicle has brakes on all four wheels of your car. It’s operated by a hydraulic system, which helps transmit force through the braking system with the use of braking fluid.

Even though your vehicle has brakes on all four wheels, it relies more on the front brakes for more stopping power. That’s because during the braking process, a car’s weight is shifted forward to the front wheels, meaning they need more braking power to bring the vehicle to a stop.

Most modern day vehicles use a disc brake system. A disc brake uses a disc to turn the wheel. This disc is straddled by a caliper, which uses tiny hydraulic pistons working to control the braking process.

These pistons push brake pads down against the disc on each side, causing friction to bring it to a stop. They are shaped in such a way as to cover a wide area of the disc.

When they’re new, this system works perfectly. But over time, many things can go wrong, including the brake pads wearing down. That’s why it’s important to periodically check your brake pads to ensure they are in great shape.

Before you do anything, be sure your brakes are cool. Even a quick trip out in your local community can make your brakes incredibly hot. Think about how much power it takes to stop your car over and over again as you zip along your neighborhood streets, parking, and returning home.

In some cases, you can tell your brake pads are having problems just by looking at your wheel. The next time you wash your car, spend a few minutes looking at your wheels. Do you notice a buildup of brake dust? This is normal. As brake pads wear down, the amount of brake dust begins to fade. Cleaner wheels mean less friction potential in your brake pads. And that can be a sign you might need new brake pads.

On many vehicles, you can see the brakes without removing the wheels. Take a peek between the holes in the wheel. To determine how much life is left on the brake pad, you will need to determine the thickness. You might need to pull out your flashlight to get a good look. If you think the pad has less than ¼ inch thickness left, it might be time to get them replaced.

Some brake pads have wear lines built into them. This is an indicator slot in the middle of the brake pad. If this slot is barely visible, or is no longer there, it’s time for new brake pads.

Other warning signs your brake pads need replacing

Not all warning signs are physical. In many cases, your brakes give you warning signs you can pick up on by driving and listening.

Have you ever pressed down on the brake pedal and heard a loud screeching noise? That’s your brake pads signaling their life is coming to an end. Your brakes have a metal shim built into them to provide you with an indicator. When this metal shim appears through brake wear, it pushes metal against metal, making that loud screeching noise. It’s loud enough you’ll hear it over your air conditioner or heater, or over the music from your radio. This warning gives you plenty of time to make it to the repair shop before you start experiencing brake failure.

You may also notice your brakes aren’t as responsive as they once were. Press down on the brake pedal; does it sink closer to the floor before you gain traction? That could be an indication of a leak within the braking system. It might be a problem with brake fluid, or possibly an air leak in the brake hose. Investigate further and see if you notice a tiny puddle of fluid underneath your car. This can be a telltale sign of a brake fluid leak.

A vibration in your brake pedal can all be signaling you have a problem with warped rotors. As you press down on the brake pedal, the warped rotors don’t connect perfectly with the brake pads; they are unable to grab the surface evenly. This gives a pulsating feeling as you continue to press down on the brakes.

You should also be watching your sensors on your dashboard. If the braking system light comes on, it’s your vehicle’s computer system telling you something is wrong. This is a sign to get to a repair shop when it’s convenient for you.

How many miles do you get out of brake pads?

In general, brake pads should be replaced around 50,000 miles. Of course, that’s just an estimate. It depends on a variety of things, including the make and model of your car. Some brakes may need replacing around 25,000 miles, while others may last as long as 70,000 or more. Consult your owner’s manual to find out the average for your vehicle.

Of course, this is just a rough estimate. It’s important to pay attention to the way your car handles, and notice when things don’t feel the way it should.

When in doubt, bring your car in for evaluation. It’s better to be safe than have a problem that could put you or your family in jeopardy. We’re here to help, from checking your brake pads, to full replacement of your brake system.

What Percentage Do Brake Pads Need To Be Replaced?

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What’s one of the most important systems on your vehicle? It would be hard not to put the brake system at the top of the list. Imagine sailing through congested areas, or trying to navigate a busy intersection without the use of brakes. It simply couldn’t happen.

Yet for all of its importance to how well your car works, most of us pay little attention to the braking system. We expect it to be there, working for us, every time we turn the key.What Percentage Do Brake Pads Need To Be Replaced?

Like other parts, your brakes wear out over time – especially your brake pads. These are one of the most important pieces of your braking system.

How were brake pads invented?

When most of us think about the very first cars, we think of the horseless carriages we see rambling in old movie clips. They bumped and jumped along on dirt roads, never going very fast.

These original vehicles were  created with brake systems made from wood. The driver pressed a lever that moved a block of wood against the wheel of the car. The friction from the action stopped the vehicle.

What worked at 10 to 20 mph didn’t work as cars picked up speed. Friction causes heat. And wood doesn’t do very well when you involve heat.

Today, one of the pioneers in modern braking systems is considered to be Gottlieb Daimler, who invented mechanical drum brakes. He theorized that by anchoring a cable-wrapped drum to a vehicle’s chassis, it could be used to stop the momentum of the car.

Daimler wasn’t the only one who had a hand in making our modern brake systems. William Lanchester patented the disc brake in 1902. Anti-lock brakes were invented by Gabriel Voisin in 1929. And the rest, as they say, is history.

How do modern brake pads work?

We’ve come a long way since those wooden blocks used as brake pads.

Today’s brake pads are created in several ways.

Years ago, brake pads were made from asbestos, because of its heat-absorbing material. Over time, as asbestos was called out for being a highly carcinogenic and cancer-causing material, manufacturers turned to organic brake pads to fill the void.

Organic brake pads are currently used on the majority of vehicles sold in the US. They are created using a mixture of fibers, including rubber, carbon compounds, glass, fiberglass, Kevlar, and more. They are bound together using resin, and provide good performance throughout the life of the product.

Of course, that’s not the only option. Another option is ceramic brake pads. These pads are ceramic-based, made from ceramic plates that look like modern-day pottery. They are denser but more durable, having fine copper fibers weaved throughout to increase strength and conductivity. They are quieter than organic brake pads, have a longer lifespan, and are considered to have more reliability in a greater amount of temperature variances. However, they are the most costly of all brake pads. Heat is transferred through the brake pads and into the rest of the braking system more easily, meaning you’ll see more wear and tear on other parts as well.

Metallic brake pads are made of iron, copper, steel, and graphite, mixed together and bonded to create the pad material. The reason these have stood the test of time is that they are durable, provide good performance, and are cost-effective. They can take the greatest heat variance, which makes them perfect for performance vehicles that tend to use the braking system more, and at higher speeds.

No matter what type of brake pad your vehicle uses, they stop your car in similar fashion. The brake pad makes contact with the rotors and causes friction to slow your car down to a stop.

When you press on the brake pedal, it sends brake fluid through a cylinder down into the calipers. The calipers engage the brake pads, and start applying pressure to the rotor attached to each wheel. This pressure creates the friction used to slow down your car. As the rotor slows, so does your wheel.

How do I know when my brakes have a problem?

If your brake system is working as it should, you probably don’t think much about it. But as your brake pads start wearing down, your car’s performance will change.

You might notice a screaming or grinding noise every time you press down on the brake pedal. This signals the brake pads are worn and aren’t connecting with the rotors the way they should. It’s your cue to bring in your vehicle as soon as possible.

You might notice shaking in your steering wheel or brake pedal. As worn out brake pads connect with the rotors, they can produce a shimmy or a shake. It’s your car’s way of telling you something is wrong.

You might notice a warning light. A dashboard light might illuminate telling you there’s a problem with your system. It could be brake pads, low brake fluid, or a parking brake that’s engaged. If you can’t find the cause, bring it to the shop for us to check everything out.

Is there a percentage when brakes are officially worn out?

Every vehicle is made under different guidelines. You can check with your owner’s manual to determine how often your brakes should be inspected. General guidelines suggest twice a year or approximately every 5,000 miles. Of course, you should always follow what the manufacturer recommends.

You’ll often hear that brake pads have worn by a certain percentage. Some mechanics will say you have a certain percentage of brake life remaining – a 40 percent brake life remaining.

It’s important to talk with your mechanic to understand what that means. Some vehicles can move down to 25 percent and not show any of the classic signs. Safety is always the key.

Have a question about your brake pads? We’re here to help. Give us a call today, we’re happy to perform a brake pad check and see how worn your brake system is. 

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