Most drivers know that braking means slowing or stopping a vehicle.  The mechanical aspects of the brakes themselves are just one issue.  There’s also the power brake system and brake fluid.  And then there are the tires, which are critical to the effectiveness of the brakes.

Let’s step back.  A car or truck rolls brand new off the showroom floor at a local dealer.  It has brand new brakes with brand new brake pads.  The brake lines and the power assist are filled with fresh fluid and are completely clean inside.  And the vehicle has brand new tires with full tread.  Naturally, braking power is at its peak performance.

But as you drive, the miles start to add up on your car and it no longer operates at peak performance.  Most car owners tend to focus on the brake pads.  In the automotive service community, the pads and shoes on drum brakes are called the friction material.  That’s because they provide the friction used to stop the vehicle.  The pads are designed to be effective throughout their useful life…it’s not until they are worn so thin that they lose stopping effectiveness.

The mechanical parts of the brakes have pistons and springs that get quite a workout while stopping the vehicle.  Over many miles, these wear and get gummed up.  They start to lose effectiveness gradually and could even fail.  That’s why a regular brake inspection is important.  At Express Car Care, we can test the operation of the brakes and see if any parts need cleaning or in need of brake repair.

That leads us to brake fluid service at Express Car Care.  Some of the critical additives in the fluid that lubricate and clean the vehicle fluid system are depleted over time.  That and moisture building up in the system deteriorate the performance of the brake fluid.  Brake fluid replacement at Express Car Care includes flushing the brake system to clean out deposits, water and dirt.  Then the system is filled up with fresh fluid.

The tires are what connect the vehicle to the road.  The stopping force is ultimately dependent on the traction provided by the tires.  The better they grip the road, the quicker you’ll stop as you drive.

For questions about brakes, brake pads or tires, talk to an Express Car Care service adviser.