How to check and maintain your car’s braking system
Proper maintenance of the braking system is essential to ensure maximum safety not only for the driver, but also for all passengers and other road users.
Car brake system safety
Checking the brakes regularly is a procedure that is sometimes taken for granted or even underestimated, but it is fundamental: a complete inspection of the braking system makes it possible to check the condition of each component and to assess the correct replacement of worn parts.
We have already mentioned how important brakes are for safety, and we would like to remind you that a complete check-up of the braking system allows for the correct inspection of the components, analysing their state of wear and tear: never put off these checks because they can literally save your life.
GGN is firmly convinced that safety cannot just be a question of budget and therefore offers you the best spare parts at the lowest price to start braking to perfection again!
How the car brake system works
The braking system is a complex system made up of a group of mechanical, electronic and hydraulic elements: they constantly work in harmony to slow and stop the vehicle in motion in the best conditions.
The braking system under optimal conditions provides 5 characteristics:
- Stability
- Control
- Efficiency
- Progressiveness
- Comfort
Remember that the two main elements that make up the brake system are:
- pads – they slow the rotation of the wheel by exerting pressure on the discs, and are worn depending on the number of braking actions and intensity
- discs – metal elements attached to the wheel hub that slow the movement of the wheels and stop the car.
Consequently, brake wear is also on two levels, that of pads and that of discs: how to know if it is time to buy a replacement? Here are the indicators that allow you to assess the state of your brakes.
Car brake wear
First of all, on many modern cars a warning light comes on in the dashboard when the pads are about to wear out. But you can also assess the state of your braking system by looking at the following unmistakable signs:
- loss of braking efficiency
- pads whistling
- brake pedal travel increasing (foot ‘goes down’ more and more)
- vibrations
There is also another component that must be checked and kept under control when it comes to brake system maintenance, and that is the brake fluid. When a pad is worn, the master cylinder uses more fluid, so it is important to change it.
So remember to have your brake system checked regularly and by a professional to ensure that your vehicle is safe: a check-up every 15 to 20,000 km, or at least once a year, is recommended. Why? Those who only do a few kilometres are not exempt from the check-up. Pads, in fact, just like all other car components, age and become less performing.
Understanding brake system faults or problems is easy: rely on GGN for parts and restore brake response to its optimum characteristics. And don’t forget the handbrake!
