Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Antilock Brake Systems

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It wasn’t until we almost had a major accident on a recent trip in the mountains that I realized the importance of antilock brake systems.  We were on our way home from a day of skiing.  We were moving along at a pretty good speed, considering we were on I-70 at the same time as thousands of other cars, when almost instantly the car in front of us stopped.  If we didn’t  have antilock brakes (ABS) we would have had one big mess!

This is how antilock brake systems work.  ABS works with your regular braking system by automatically pumping them.  In vehicles not equipped with ABS, the driver has to manually pump the brakes to prevent the wheels from locking up.  When your wheels lock up on wet and slippery roads or during a panic stop, (like ours) you may lose traction and control, causing your vehicle to spin.  Antilock brakes keep your wheels from locking up, so your car maintains directional control and you can steer around hazards, if you can’t make a complete stop in time.  If your vehicle has ABS, your foot should remain firmly planted on the brake pedal, while ABS pumps the brakes for you so you can concentrate on steering to safety.  An ABS automatically changes the brake fluid pressure at each wheel to maintain optimum brake performance.  There is an electronic control unit that regulates the brake fluid pressure in response to the changing road conditions or an impending wheel lockup.

There is more than one kind of antilock brake system.  Four-wheel systems, including those found on cars and minivans, are designed to keep all four wheels from locking up.  Rear-wheel only systems, found on some pickups, vans and SUV’s, keep the vehicle from spinning out of control, but the front wheels may lock up, resulting in a loss of steering control.

Some of you may be asking if vehicles with ABS stop more quickly than those without.  Perhaps, but the main purpose  the Antilock brake system was designed for is to help you maintain control of the vehicle during emergency braking situations,  not necessarily make the car stop more quickly.  ABS may shorten stopping distances on wet or slippery roads and most systems may shorten stopping distances on dry roads.  On very soft surfaces, like gravel or unpacked snow, ABS may actually lengthen stopping distances.  In wet or icy conditions, you should still keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you and drive carefully keeping the road conditions in mind.

To find out whether your car has an antilock brake system and what type, check your owner’s manual.  You can also check your instrument panel for a yellow ABS indicator light that appears after you turn on the ignition.   For more information about driver’s safety call the NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9153

For all of your Denver Auto Repair needs, trust Express Car Care. Call (303) 691-2760 or stop by our shop today.

Brake Fluid Change

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Brake Fluid ChangeReader Question: I took my truck in for a routine oil change.  The mechanic said I needed a brake fluid change because it was dirty and needed flushing because of the ABS anti-lock brakes.  I’ve never heard of this before.  Why do I need a brake fluid change?

Dear Reader: Clean brake fluid is vital in keeping your brake system working properly.  Brake fluid shouldn’t freeze or boil, but as soon as it is put into the brake system it starts to absorb moisture.  The fluid attracts moisture through microscopic pores in the rubber hoses or seals and through exposure to the air.  That moisture is very damaging to the brake fluid.  After only one year of service, the brake fluid in an average vehicle might contain as much as two percent water and it  takes very little  moisture to make the brake fluid less effective.  The heat generated by normal and especially hard braking makes the moisture in the fluid boil and that causes the brakes to loose their effectiveness.  Also brake fluid that is contaminated with moisture and dirt (if moisture can get in than so can dirt) can have a drastic effect on braking systems that use anti-lock brakes.  The contaminants can ruin the delicate inner parts of these systems, which are extremely expensive to repair.

Did you know that the average motorist who drives 10,000 to 15,000 miles a year uses their brakes about 75,000 times a year?  You would think that since drivers are using their brakes so much they would recognize the importance of having their brake fluid changed.  But probably half of all vehicles that are 10 or more years old, here in the U.S. have never had their brake fluid changed.  Just like you, they have never heard of it, or if they have, they have failed to see the importance of it.  Experts recommend having a brake fluid change every one to two years as a preventative measure.  We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t agree.

Auto Brake Repair

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In these days of difficult economic times, none of us want to be taken for a ride when it comes to having an auto brake repair.  The braking system in a car is a complex system that needs  proper maintenance and care throughout the lifetime of the car to keep you and your family safe.   It’s important to get the best information on auto brake repair so you don’t end up being cheated out of your hard earned money.

The best thing we can do to save us from brake repair is preventative maintenance.  Avoid “riding” your brakes.  It’s better to slow down with moderate pressure and then release the brake allowing them to cool, rather than riding the brakes and overheating them.  Also consider downshifting to save your brakes. Downshifting lets your engine do some of the braking instead of your brakes.  This should only be used when traction conditions are good.  In ice, snow, or even rain, downshifting into too low of a gear may cause you to skid.  Auto Brake Repair

Even when we are pro active and do our best to avoid a brake repair, normal daily activities cause wear and tear on our cars and can cause problems.

The most common problem with the braking system is wear.  Brakes do a lot of work and the brake pads take the brunt of the punishment.  It’s a good idea to have them checked every six months or more often  if you suspect a problem.  If there is squeaking, grinding or difficulty stopping there might be a problem.  Most brake pads have a thin metal tab which vibrates when the pads wear down to a dangerous level.  Some brake pads don’t have this tab and if they aren’t check periodically they can wear down far enough to ruin the rotors.

Another problem is warped rotors.  Rotors warp if the brake pads are bent, defective or incorrectly installed or if they are exposed to excessive heat.  A warped rotor will give a pulsing feeling when you are applying the brakes.  This pulsing can be annoying and dangerous, have  your car checked as soon as possible if this is occurring.

When you have made the decision to visit your mechanic, keep these things in mind.   Ask your mechanic to clean all the brake system components after they’ve completed your brake repair.  This ensures a dust and squeak free job.  Also ask your mechanic about using an anti-squeak compound on the back of the brake pads.  This can keep the pads from vibrating and annoying you.  And most importantly, watch out for shops that practice bait and switch.  Bait and switch is advertising a product on TV or in the paper at a low price  and then when you ask for that product or service they claim not to have it anymore but can get you something “better”.  This is how they lure you into their business so they can sell you products or services that you don’t really need.  You can keep your money and your car safe by educating yourself about auto brake repair.

Do You Need New Brake Pads?

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Brakes are one of, if not the most important safety devices on your car!  They should be maintained and inspected regularly to insure your safety and the safety of your passengers.  There is a simple way to determine if you need new brake pads.  Just stop, look and listen!  If your car doesn’t stop when you press on the brake pedal, that is a sign you might  need new brake pads!   If your car pulls to one side or the other when braking, or if the brakes grab or vibrate, those are also signs you might  need new brake pads.   Look at the brake pads. In order to really see the condition of the brake pads the wheels on the car need to be removed.  If the pad depth is less than 1/4 inch, they need to be replaced soon.  If you don’t trust your own judgment have them inspected by a professional. When the safety of your family is riding on your decision, don’t take chances.   Listen for a high pitched squeal.  Manufacturers have built a soft-metal wear indicator into the brakes to alert the driver when the brake pads need changing.  Unfortunately, if you hear a grinding sound that means the brake pad replacement is long overdue and the worn brake pads may have damaged the brake rotors.  Replacing your rotors can be a very costly job; so don’t let your brake pads get to this point!

We are quickly approaching the time of year when snow is a good possibility and no one wants to be driving in the snow with brakes that might not work!  So have your brake pads checked and replaced if needed.  You’ll be glad you did!

How Often Should I Change My Automotive Brakes?

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Have a question about how long your automotive brakes will last on your car? There are a couple of things to consider.

Brake Pads
Brake pads typically come with a warranty – you may see a lifetime warranty, or a warranty based on mileage, such as a 10,000 mile warranty. Lifetime warranties aren’t meant to last a lifetime. Auto parts manufacturers use that terminology because brake pads do last a long time, and most car owners will trade and purchase a new car long before their brake pads need replacing.

Regardless of the terminology, it’s more important to listen to your car instead. When you apply the brakes, you can hear the sounds of a worn brake pad. If you hear a grinding noise or a squeak, its time to replace the brake pads regardless of the mileage.

Rotors
Brake rotors, or brake discs, are what your vehicle’s brake pads clamp down on, and what stops the wheels from spinning. Like brake pads, there are different types of rotors, depending on your car and driving needs.

Unlike brake pads, rotors do not need to be changed on a regular basis, and should last indefinitely if you provide regular maintenance routines on your automobile. Rotors will be damaged if you allow your brake pads to wear down, and drive without the use of pads for an extended period of time. The grinding noise you begin to hear from the brake pads is an indication of the screws in the base of the brake pads grinding into the groove of your rotor. The more it continues to grind, the greater your chance of having to replace your rotors.

[Want to keep your automotive brakes in top condition? Have them checked and replaced on a regular basis.]

Brake Specialist – Understanding How Your Brakes Work

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When you’re driving in your car, and push down on the brake pedal, we unconsciously know it’s going to work. But how does it work? And more importantly, what do you watch for to make sure they keep working for you? Those are questions a brake specialist deals with every day.

Your car’s brake system is a complex system of parts and components that spreads all along your car. The easiest way to avoid brake failure is to maintain your car, and to listen to your car’s system regularly. Your brakes squeak, click and grind – its just a matter of listening and discovering when the noise changes. And using a brake specialist to keep you on a regular maintenance schedule.

In your car, the brake pedal is connected to the pistons, and the pistons are connected to the brakes. Your car will have two sets of brakes: disc front brakes and drum rear brakes. In both sets, friction is used to control and stop the car when you require them. Several things can interfere with the friction, leading to failure:

  • An oil leak can eliminate the friction within the braking system
  • If brakes routinely overheat, they can create hard spots in the brake rotors or drums. These hot spots resist friction, reducing the grasping mechanism within the brake system.
  • A squeaking noise can indicate thin or wearing brake pads. Replacing brake pads early can prevent future maintenance. If pads wear down past the pads to the rotors, it can cause further damage, and cost even more to replace.

Take notice of your cars messages. Your antilock brake system (ABS) light will come on at the first sign of damage. You may also start hearing squeaking or grinding noises when you apply the brakes. Or you begin to feel a pulse in your brake pedal, or a pull or grab to one side or the other during the braking process.

Instead of waiting or ignoring the problem, check in with your brake specialist today.

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