Is It Time For new Brakes?

3 Warning Signs You Need New Brakes

Your car brakes are probably not on the forefront of your mind when it comes to car maintenance. You regularly get your oil changed and perhaps get your tires rotated. Most people don’t worry about their car brakes until warning signs appear telling you something is wrong.

Get ahead with your vehicle brake performance and a schedule a total car care diagnosis with AAMCO Boise & Nampa today.

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How Do Car Brakes Work?

Close up of car brake components. Car needs new brakes. AAMCO Boise & Nampa.

Car brakes are made of several key components that work in unison to stop your car when you press down on the brake pedal. Most cars have similar types of disc brakes on the front and drum brakes on the back. Disc brakes have a brake disc/rotor, brake caliper and brake pad.

When you press down on the brakes, hydraulic fluid makes the brake caliper press down on the brake pad that squeeze against the brake disc. When the brake pad makes contact with the brake disc, it creates friction and heat that stops the car.

Most modern cars have a disc brake system on the front wheels and typically get more work done on the disc brake system than the rear drum brake system. For our purposes, we will focus on the disc brake system in your vehicle.

See where your car brakes are at and get proper maintenance done to keep them in tip top shape. Schedule a maintenance appointment with AAMCO Boise & Nampa today.

3 Signs Your Brakes Are On Their Way Out

Vibrating / Shuddering Braking

When you press down on the brakes, your car should smoothly come to a stop. If you push on the brakes and find that your car is shuddering/vibrating, this could be a sign that a brake component is going.

ypically, shuddering and vibrating is a symptom of warped discs/rotors. Brake rotors is just another term for brake discsNormally, brake rotors are flat and smooth so your pads can clamp down smoothly on them.

But when you hit your car’s brakes too severely over time, the rotors can warp from the heat and friction of the brake pads. This results in a shaky and shuddering braking in your car versus a smooth stop.

It may be time to replace your brake pads and rotors. If you find your car is shaking and shuddering to a stop, don’t hesitate to schedule a vehicle brakes diagnostic with AAMCO Boise & Nampa.

Brakes Are Screeching To A Stop

If your car brakes are screeching or squealing that means your brake pads are completely worn down. This means the caliper and the brake disc are rubbing together which can result in damage to your brake discs in addition to your calipers and pads.

Brake pads are made with built in indicators that cause that screeching noise you’re hearing. When the pads are worn down to a dangerously small amount, the indicators will rub against the brake discs. This is to warn you that your pads are dangerously thin and need replacing.

It’s important to get your brake pads checked routinely to avoid this situation from occurring. Replacing brake pads is a far easier and less expensive process than replacing damaged brake discs.

Driver driving vehicle. Car needs new brakes. AAMCO Boise & Nampa.

Car Pulling To One Side

Mechanic working on car brakes. Car needs new brakes.AAMCO Boise & Nampa.

If you car is pulling to one side when you are breaking, this is usually a sign of a problematic caliper or brake pads wearing unevenly. Your caliper can freeze up gradually over time and allowing this to go unaddressed can result in your car braking more to one side.

Your car braking to one side may also be an indicator that one side of the car is thinning out the brake pads faster than the other. Essentially, one brake pad is taking on more braking than the other and as a result, your vehicle is pulling off to one side.

If you find your vehicle is braking on one side often, it is best to get it properly assessed by a professional mechanic as soon as possible. Don’t let the problem go unaddressed and become worse.Schedule a brake diagnosis with AAMCO Boise & Nampa to properly treat your brakes and get you back on the road.

Diagnosis Your Brakes

Schedule An AAMCO Boise & Nampa appointment

Your car brakes are an integral part of your vehicle that allow you to navigate the roads safely. Don’t let your brake issues progress and become an even more expensive and time consuming problem to fix. Schedule a vehicle total car care diagnosis with AAMCO Boise & Nampa today and get ahead of any problems that can arise in your car.

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