Where would we be without our car’s good brakes? It would be disastrous. You may have just come back from a holiday road trip with heavy holiday traffic between Christmas and New Year’s Day. So, it could be an excellent time to check your brakes now. Because these items are so critical to our safety, it makes sense that we must not neglect them. Instead, it’s the driver’s responsibility to ensure that the car’s brakes are operating optimally at all times. 1
How can you check the condition of brake pads and brake discs?
You can check a brake pad’s condition with many cars without removing the wheel. It depends if there is enough space between the wheel’s spokes to obtain a good view of the pads and disc. Failing that, you, unfortunately, need to remove the wheel.
How should a disc look?1
The disc should be shiny, while some fine lines are from usual everyday wear. Replace the disc if you see any deep grooves or rough areas, but always replace the pair to maximise your safety.
What to look for with brake pads1
Assess the thickness of the brake pads and replace if they are 3 mm thick or less.
We need to know what vital signals brake pads will be showing us.
What about that squealing noise when we brake? 1
Squealing noises that occur when you brake show you it’s time to replace the brake pads. Some brake pads have a metal strip placed at a particular depth deep inside the pad so that when that depth has been reached through the wearing process, it begins to squeal as it touches the metal disc. Other cars have a sensor installed in their brake pads so that a warning light lights up on the dashboard when the critical thickness is only left.
What about any other noises?
A grinding sound is not good news. It indicates that the brake pads are so worn that it’s metal on metal when you brake. The discs themselves may have to be replaced due to damage incurred.
What about the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light?1
When this happens, it could be due to too little brake fluid being in the system, possibly as a result of a leak.
What if the car steers to one side when braking? 1
This could mean that the brakes are not correctly aligned or that they need to be replaced.
Vibrations while braking1
When your car begins to shudder while braking, it could mean that the brake rotors are broken and need to be replaced, so it is worth having your brakes checked by a qualified mechanic to ensure your car has roadworthy brakes.
How often should brakes be checked? 1
At every major service, brakes are carefully checked for any wear and tear. But, if you notice or hear anything strange happening when braking, don’t delay visiting a garage for their opinion.
It is vital always to ensure that the brakes are functioning correctly. This is because your life and those of your passengers depend on them. But have you ensured that your car insurance is protecting your car adequately? If you have any queries, don’t hesitate to contact PMD, who will gladly assist you and inform you of their affordable car insurance products with world-class service, fixed premiums*, a reduce to zero excess* and other convenient benefits. T’s and C’s apply.
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This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
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— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) November 29, 2017