Do you not know what the technician says about the brakes on your vehicle?
Time to find out….
So let talk about the brake system, where the ability to stop happens, here’s some items you might come across;
The Garage says:
“Your brake pads are worn”
What do they mean?
Brake pads are small metal-backed plates with a friction material on the surface. They push against a metal brake disc when you press the pedal to slow or stop the vehicle. With use they begin to wear out.
What should you be aware of?
Worn brake pads will need to be replaced or the brakes will not work effectively. It can also mean that other parts (like the discs) may become damaged. Their life span depends on a number of factors including your own driving style (if you brake a lot or brake heavily) and weather/road conditions. At Auto-Mech Cheddar Ltd we always make sure the quality of brake pads is best, to make our customers feel safer on the road. We also will after having a service give you a rough estimate on how many miles you have left on your brake pads if we believe they are getting low enough to advise upon. (estimates for this are approximate due to the many factors as state before)
The Garage says:
“Your brake discs need replacing”
What do they mean?
The brake discs are metal discs that the brake pads push against when you press the brake pedal
What should you be aware of?
While the braking systems are designed so that the pads wear first, the discs can also wear down and need replacing from time to time. Discs can be damaged if the pads are allowed to completely wear out, so it’s a false economy to skimp on replacing them when the are worn. They can also get warped or distorted, or hot spots if some other parts of the braking system are not in full working order.
The Garage says:
“Your ABS isn’t working”
What do they mean?
There’s an issue with your anti-lock braking system. This is the safety system that helps to prevent the wheels from locking up when you are braking.
What should you be aware of?
Modern anti-lock brakes are far more reliable and less likely to need repairing than older systems. Problems are often caused by dirt or rust getting into sensors, which activates the ABS light and shut down the system.
The Garage says:
“Your have a brake/hydraulic fluid leak”
What do they mean?
Your vehicle is losing brake/hydraulic fluid, normally from a pipe connector or the main brake fluid reservoir.
What should you be aware of?
This is extremely dangerous, and major safety hazard! If the brake system has a leak then no pressure can build up to apply the brake pads to the discs, meaning you will having difficulty’s braking. Don’t forget that if you ask we can always show you the problem so you can better know what we have to do to sort and fix the issue.
The Garage says:
“Your brakes are spongy”
What do they mean?
Your brakes aren’t operating properly. It doesn’t feel like there is much resistance when you press the brake pedal, usually because of a loss of brake fluid or air within the brake system.
What should you be aware of?
If it is a leak then it must be identified, fixed and the faulty part replaced. Either a leak or air lock in the system may require that the brake fluid needs changing or to be bled. Many manufacturers recommend replacing the fluid every 2 – 3 years. You can check your owner’s manual or ask us for specific recommendations.
