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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. 

What Causes Brakes To Smoke?

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On most days, you hop in your car and drive where you’re going trouble-free. You think little about how your car is operating, because at least on the surface, everything is fine.

Then occasionally something goes wrong, and it’s impossible to ignore. You’re driving your car, and suddenly you begin to notice a strong odor of smoke. You look around and see a trail of smoke either in front or back of your vehicle. This can cause a moment of panic, one you can’t ignore.

In this situation, it’s often your car’s brakes.

What causes brakes to smoke? 

The first question to ask yourself is: How old is your brake system?What Causes Brakes To Smoke?

For older vehicle brakes, the most common reason your brakes will start to smoke is a stuck caliper.

Brake calipers are essential to help your vehicle stop. Your car probably functions with disc brakes. With a disc brake system, the car’s wheels are attached to metal discs (also known as rotors) that make the wheel spin. A caliper’s job is to push against the rotor like a clamp, cause friction, and slow the wheel down.

Of course, that process depends on everything working as it should. If dirt or corrosion sets in, it can cause the caliper to stick. It will heat up as the friction continues until eventually, it smokes and creates the familiar odor.

What if brake pads are brand new? 

What if new brakes smoke a few miles outside of the repair shop?

This isn’t unusual after brake pads are replaced. In fact, it’s so common that manufacturers have a name for it: polymerization, or a curing process.

Again, when brake pads move against the rotors, friction causes a lot of heat. As brake pads connect with the rotors the first few times, the curing process takes place.

Your new brakes aren’t burning up; they aren’t faulty from the shop. The smoke smell you incur are gases formed during this curing process.

It’s important to be gentle with your new brakes for the first few miles. If new brake pads overheat too quickly, it can cause something called brake fade. Check with the technician and follow manufacturer’s guidance. They often recommend a “bedding” process to ensure your brakes pads are working properly. This:

  • Cures the brake pad material
  • Embeds the material into the rotor to cause a film for proper stopping
  • Smooths out the rotor surface

Brake pads come in many different formats, made from several different materials. Therefore, every brake pad will come with its own set of guidelines and rules. And if you go with a more specialized product for higher end performance, it may have an even more distinct smell as it goes through the curing process.

Why do brakes smell like they are burning?

Sometimes it’s not about what you see, but what you smell. Every part of your vehicle creates different sounds, smells, and noises. You’ll find your brakes can sometimes create a distinct burnt smell.

If this occurs and you’ve been driving for a while, especially down a very steep hill, and you’ve been riding your brakes, it’s probably the friction building up from the process.

Brake pads are designed to produce friction when you need it to stop. But too much of anything can lead to problems. The more pressure you apply, the more friction occurs, and slowly, heat develops. If it gets too hot, you may start smelling a burnt smell. It can also cause your brakes to smoke.

This isn’t a problem once in a while. But if you start to notice it regularly, or if you notice a burnt smell during normal driving conditions, you have a bigger problem. It might be a caliper has seized, which causes the brake pad to drag against the rotor. It might also be a parking brake is still being applied, or you leave your foot lightly on the brakes, and it continues to drag.

If you can’t find a reason for it, it’s time to get your car into the shop.

How do I cool down my brakes?

Brakes overheat when constant pressure is applied between the brake pads, calipers, and rotors. The more pressure, the greater the chance of problems developing over time.

Your pads can wear and become damaged when friction “cooks” them onto the same spot on the rotor. This means as soon as you discover overheating, your best course of action is to cool your brakes down quickly.

Overheated brakes can cool down simply by not using the brakes. Slow down your speed, leave plenty of space around you, so that you won’t need your brakes for a bit. Try to do this for five minutes or so, to give your brakes a chance to cool. This will keep the pads and rotors from warping because of the concentrated heat.

Can your brakes catch fire?

You’ve heard the adage: where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

Applying this to this discussion on brakes, one could assume that if brakes heat and smoke, then they must be able to catch fire as well.

That assumption would be correct.

Brakes can catch fire for a variety of reasons. It can be from improper car maintenance. Or from careless driving.

You’ll find brakes catching fire with aggressive drivers. They often brake too hard, keep their foot attached to the brake pedal, and pound on the brakes on a regular basis. The friction it causes between the brake pads, calipers, and discs is a continual process. Eventually, that heat has nowhere else to go, and it catches fire.

In some cases, the parts that make up the braking system no longer fit well together. The pieces aren’t positioned correctly, they fit tightly together, or are simply worn out from wear. When pressure is placed on parts in the wrong manner, that pressure can cause sparks, which leads to fire.

Take care of your brakes

Every car owner should realize that brakes are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. You can’t drive without them. You should be watchful of the care you give them.

If you suspect anything wrong with your brake system, don’t hesitate to stop by. In the case of your brake system, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

How can we help you with your brakes?

The Most Common Automotive Brake Problems

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What’s one of the most critical systems in your car? It would be hard to argue against the braking system. Imagine your brakes failing as you’re exiting the highway, or as you’re slowing down to round a corner.

Which is why it’s important to pay attention to the little things your car tries to tell you every time you drive. Many common automotive brake problems can be solved quickly – if you catch them early enough. The more you listen to what your vehicle is telling you, the safer you’ll be.

How to stopThe Most Common Automotive Brake Problems

The art of stopping is based on kinetic energy. Every object on earth has kinetic energy based on its mass and velocity. The object’s mass (weight) determines its velocity (how fast it will go).

To stop, you have to remove the kinetic energy. For you and me, we simply slow down our speed. But for large objects – cars – the braking system is built for the process.

Take a moment to look through your front wheel, you can see a metal disc just inside. Most cars today use what’s called a disc brake system. As you apply pressure to the brake pedal inside your car, a brake pad clamps onto this disc and rubs it to stop the motion. It slows it down depending on the force you apply to the brake action.

Cars not only have a lot of weight, but they can also reach very high speeds. Have you ever hit 70, 80, or more on the highway? Your brakes have to be able to stop quickly even at these speeds without throwing your vehicle into a tailspin. When you hit the brake pedal, all of this energy is immediately transferred to the brake pads. That means these pads have to be able to withstand a lot of heat (950 degrees F or more) and be able to function properly.

For that reason, brake pads are made of materials that won’t melt, such as alloy, ceramics, or other carbon-based materials. Eventually, these pads start to wear down. The thinner they get, the more pressure you have to apply to perform the same function. Until eventually they wear out altogether.

You want to get a full lifespan from the brake pads. You have to parallel that with replacing them before they put you at risk. That’s why it’s important to have a mechanic on your side, who will provide you with honest, accurate feedback on what to expect from your investment.

A lot happens in between installing new brakes and replacing them when they’re worn out. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

What is brake dust, and what causes it?

Have you ever washed your car and noticed gray-black dust covering your wheels? That’s brake dust.

As the brake pads apply pressure to the disc, iron particles slowly grind off. These small iron and metal particles are nothing more than residue from the brake pad material as this process occurs.

Brake dust is not an indication that your brake pads are malfunctioning. Yet it is important to clean brake dust away from your wheels, as it can erode the clear coat of your alloy wheel, which causes more problems to your vehicle.

Fortunately, that’s an easy process. You can purchase wheel cleaner at your local automotive shop. Just use a soft bristle brush and rinse it away.

What is brake fade?

Have you ever pressed down on the brake pedal and it’s felt like the brakes aren’t working? It could be brake fade. There are several reasons this could be happening.

Friction fade occurs when you overuse your brakes. This happens quite frequently here in Colorado because of the Rocky Mountains. As you’re coming down a steep hill, to keep the car from gaining speed, some unsuspecting drivers will put their foot on the brake pedal and keep applying pressure. That constant friction creates enormous amounts of heat. This can cause the brake pad and rotor to stop working.

Older cars might experience brake fluid fade, which is caused by a degradation of brake fluid. Different manufacturers have different requirements on when to replace your brake fluid. If you ignore these guidelines, it begins to absorb water and other debris. That causes the brake fluid to boil at lower temperatures, causing steam to build up in the system. If you’ve ever felt your brakes getting a little “spongy”, this is the cause.

While not one of the most common reasons for brake fading, you can occasionally experience mechanical fade. New brake pads have a resin in them that can break down as it heats. If they weren’t created properly, it may produce a gas that prevents friction between the pad and the disc. This causes the brakes to stop working.

If you experience any of these, it’s important to allow your brakes to cool down. Pull over to the side of the road and give them time to cool. If you’re coming out of the mountains, downshift to lower gears to take the pressure off the brake pads. Do not touch any part of the wheels or brakes – they will be very hot to the touch.

What if my car shakes or has vibrations?

Another common automotive brake problem leaves your vehicle shaking or vibrating.

Have you ever noticed your steering wheel shaking? It could your brake pads are contaminated with dirt, oil, or other substances. It can also occur if your brake pads are warped, damaged, or excessively worn.

It could be your brake disc or rotors are worn down. As the surfaces continue to function and take heat as you brake, they sometimes wear in different ways. That can cause unevenness over the surface areas. When you apply the brakes, the brake pads grab the discs unevenly, and you’ll feel a vibration as you come to a stop.

It could be alignment issues. If your car has experienced damage from potholes, for example, it can impact the way the entire suspension system works. If you feel vibration in the pedal as you press down, it most likely has to do with your alignment.

Lastly, the more wear your entire suspension system has, the more parts could malfunction. Ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rods – there are many possibilities. This is when it’s important to notice when you have most of your problems. If you notice it primarily during turning, it’s your suspension system. If it’s primarily when you brake, it’s your brake pads or rotors.

Is it time for brake repair? 

Have you noticed any of these common automotive brake problems with your vehicle? Maybe it’s time to have a mechanic thoroughly evaluate your car.

Schedule your appointment today and ensure your car is safe for you to drive, and your family to ride in. It will give you peace of mind as you head out and enjoy all the Rocky Mountains has to offer. 

How To Maintain Car Brakes

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When you jumped into your car this morning, you probably didn’t think much about the brakes.

You thought about dropping the kids off at school. Or maybe contemplating if you had enough time to get coffee before you head into work. Or the meeting you have later in the day.

Your car probably didn’t enter your mind. It’s a useful tool that gets you where you’re going. And outside of thinking about stopping to get gas, or scheduling an oil change here and there, your car is reliable. Why worry about something when there’s so much else going on in your life?How To Maintain Car Brakes

But if you’ve ever had a child or a dog jump out in front of you, you appreciate your brakes a little bit more. When traffic on the way home comes to a screeching halt, you thank your fully operational brakes one more time.

Brakes aren’t magic, they’re science-based. A car in motion produces energy. To stop, you have to release that energy, and you do so using friction to convert that energy to heat.

Pressing down on the brake pedal pushes a piston into the master cylinder filled with hydraulic fluid. This spreads hydraulic fluid into wider cylinders connected to the brakes on each wheel. This hydraulic process increases force enough to move the brakes into action, stopping your car.

Today’s modern vehicles have disc brakes. Disc brakes are made up of a disc, caliper, and a brake pad. When you apply pressure to the brake pedal, the hydraulic fluid causes the caliper to push into the brake pad, applying pressure directly to the brake disc. This rubbing action creates friction, which converts the energy into heat within the brake pad.

This process creates a lot of heat. That’s why brake pads are created out of high-quality material that withstands the pressure. If it melted under intense heat, they wouldn’t do you a lot of good. So they’re created from ceramics, alloys, composites, and more.

How to maintain car brakes

There are many parts on your car that add luxury to your vehicle, but aren’t a threat. If the air conditioning system goes out, it might get a little warm on a hot summer day. But you can still put down the windows and enjoy the breeze as you buzz down the road.

You can be inconvenienced by not having a radio. Or even adjusting to not having a side mirror if you bump it on the way out of the garage.

But you can’t live without brakes. If your brakes aren’t in great condition, they put you and your vehicle’s occupants at risk. If your brakes don’t work at all, your car is no longer operational.

That’s why it’s a good idea to maintain car brakes as a part of your regular routine.

  • Have your brakes checked by a reputable service dealer every year. This will keep you better informed as to how many miles you can travel on your current brake system, what to watch for, and establish a replacement schedule as your brakes begin to wear down. Our staff is happy to work with you and keep you informed of how much useful life you have left. Be sure to check our shop specials to ensure you get the best deal when scheduling your appointment.
  • Check your brake fluid. Just like you fill your car with gas as it moves towards empty, or change the oil based on mileage, your brake fluid should also be changed on a regular basis. Brake fluid is essential for the heat transfer process, and to help absorb condensation and water. Check the color of your brake fluid; a darker color means it’s time to have it replaced.
  • Listen and be aware of any changes in the way your car stops. If you tap on the brake pedal and you hear a squealing, that’s a sign of worn down brake pads. If you have to push down harder on the brake pedal to make your car stop, that’s a sign you need to schedule an appointment. If you’re at all concerned with something you hear or see, don’t wait.
  • Avoid unnecessary braking. By changing your driving patterns, you can put less wear and tear on your brakes. Leave more room between you and the car in front of you so you can coast while slowing down. Avoid being in situations where you have to ride the brakes, or pounce on them as traffic conditions bounce around.
  • Do business with reputable mechanics. Safety isn’t something you should play around with. You might get a great deal from a fly-by-night operation, but will your car be safe to drive? When you select a reputable mechanic, you’ll be comfortable you’re getting the best deal possible, and you’ll drive away in a car you can trust.

Is it bad if your brake pedal goes to the floor?

In a word, yes.

While there can be several reasons why this is happening, one of the most common is lack of brake fluid. If your car is out of brake fluid, your brakes won’t work. That means as you press the brake pedal to the floor, nothing will happen. There’s possibly a leak within the system. If this happens, you can’t drive your car for safety reasons.

Another possible reason is a bad master cylinder. The master cylinder is where the brake fluid compresses. This is where pressure builds to apply friction between the brake pads and the wheels. If it starts to fail, you’re going to lose braking power. The more it builds, the harder it will be to stop.

It could also be you, the driver, that is causing a problem. If you can’t find a mechanical reason for failure, and yet you have to push harder on the pedal to apply the brakes, it could be the way you drive. The more brakes are used, the hotter the brake fluid becomes. As it heats, it thins. Thinner liquid needs more force to make the brakes work. Stop riding the brakes, and give yourself plenty of room to avoid pouncing on the brakes as traffic grinds to a halt.

Have more questions on how to maintain car brakes? Need to check out your brake’s current condition? Give us a call today.

How Can I Make My Brakes Last Longer?

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The brakes on your car are one of the most important mechanisms for safety. If you’re driving on the road, entrusting your family’s safety as you drive around the city, dependable brakes are a mandatory part of car safety.

Yet nobody likes to make frequent trips to a mechanic. If you can stretch out the time in between visits, all the better. How do you know if your brakes are working correctly? Is there a way you can make brakes last longer?

The more aware you are of how brakes work and the potential problems, the more you can ensure they are working at their optimal level, and possibly gain more wear from your brake system.How Can I Make My Brakes Last Longer?

Brakes, and how they work

You don’t have to be a mechanic to understand how your brake system works. Without getting into the intricate details, it’s important as a car owner to know your car has two parts to concern yourself with: the brake pads, and the rotors.

Your brake pads are exactly as the name implies; they are made of a hard material that uses friction to stop the car.

Brake rotors are the round plates that the pads clamp down onto, slowing it, and eventually stopping the car.

With most cars on the road today, they use disk brakes where the brake pads are contained within calipers. Every time you push the brake pedal, pressure is applied to the rotor, and the car slows down. You use this process over and over again, every time you drive. So it’s not surprising that replacement of both brake pads and rotors will occur at some point in the future, depending on how much you use your car.

What causes brakes to wear?

Brakes wear out from day to day use. The more mileage you put on a car, the faster your brakes will wear out. Of course, it depends on personal use too. Someone who drives more highway mileage will get more wear than a person that does a lot of city driving. If you “ride the brakes” and always have your foot on the brake pedal, you’ll see more wear on your brake pads than someone who isn’t as aggressive with their driving habits. If you want to make your brakes last longer, become a less aggressive driver.

Speed also plays a factor in brake longevity. Applying the brakes when you’re at lower speeds requires less momentum than applying brakes at higher speeds. This is one of the reasons you’ll find your brake pads wear quicker if your daily commute involves highway driving. At rush hour, you’ll have a lot of speeding up and slowing down, sometimes with very quick action.

You may also notice that your front brakes wear faster than the rear pads. That’s because the front of your vehicle has a lot more action in the braking process than the rear, causing them to wear faster. Over time, heat and friction wear until there is little left to do the job effectively.

It’s also important to know that brake wear isn’t an exact science. Manufacturers can’t list it in their guidelines to have brake replacement based on mileage. Some brakes will last up to 75,000 miles, while others may need replacing at 25,000 miles. It depends on the make and model of your car, your driving habits, and many other factors.

How to make brakes last longer

What can you do to make your brakes last longer? The answer is surprisingly simple.

One of the easiest ways to increase the wear on your brake pads is to change the way you drive. Even a few simple changes can increase brake life, and make you a safer driver too. Change your driving by doing the following things:

  • Start by following the flow of traffic instead of fighting it. If you find yourself continuously creeping up on the car in front of you, slow down. If you stay with traffic, it will require less heavy braking.
  • Lighten your vehicle if at all possible. Clean out your trunk or backend space instead of leaving heavy objects in place.
  • Keep your speeds low in heavier traffic. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your final destination, so you aren’t pushing the limits of what traffic will allow you to do.

You can also spend an extra couple of minutes giving your brake rotors a cleaning every time you wash your car. As you drive, brake dust settles in on the pads and rotors. This increases the amount of friction whenever they brake, which shortens their life. By keeping the brake dust to a minimum, you’ll give your brakes the longest life possible.

Brake inspection and servicing

There are several simple steps you can take to ensure your brakes are properly maintained.

Check your brake fluid regularly. You need to make sure it’s in good condition, and is at the appropriate level. If brake fluid has a milky color, it means condensation has accumulated in the fluid, and it’s time to change out the brake fluid.

Pay attention to any noises you hear while you’re driving. That squeaking, squealing, or grinding noise is trying to tell you something. And while noises may start for various reasons, it is a good indicator that you have a problem.

Of course, you can also rely on the brake light coming on. Depending on the age of your car, today’s modern vehicles have sensitive electronics that are very accurate when a problem arises. When the pads get below 25 percent of their total thickness, you’ll be alerted, and you can have them replaced before they become a big concern.

Schedule your service with Express Car Care today

At Express Car Care, we offer you full service on everything your car needs, from brake pads, rotors, drums, brake shoes, calipers, hoses, and more. If you suspect your brakes aren’t working the way they once did, don’t delay. Stop by today and keep your car in top working condition, safe for you and your family.

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