Do you remember what it felt like the first time you were left with your own car? I remember just feeling so happy and free, and so I decided to try to help my own teenagers get a car of their own. However, after we found the right cars to buy, it was immediately clear that they needed to learn how to take care of their vehicles. In addition to talking with them about regular maintenance, I also started focusing with my kids to figure out a routine maintenance schedule that would help. They were great to work with, and now I can honestly say that their cars are beautiful inside and out.
No motorist ever wishes to experience a breakdown or an accident while driving on the road. However, it h
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Your brakes are the most important part of your vehicle, since without them you would be left utterly powerless when it came to controlling the speed of your car on the road. Due to the nature of their function, in which they are exposed to a great deal of heat and friction, a wide variety of different issues can affect your brakes and reduce their performance. Understanding some of the warning signs associated with the most common brake problems can help you determine when you may be experiencing a brake issue and should head to a mechanic to have it fixed.
Worn Brake Pads
By far the most common type of issue that will face your vehicle's brake system are worn out brake pads. This happens over time due to normal operation, as they come into constant contact with the rotors. Worn brake pads will not be able to generate the same amount of friction while driving, which will reduce how responsive your brakes are, especially while travelling at high speeds. Beyond a reduced response time, your brakes may also emit a high-pitched noise when you press down on them, and can even cause a burning smell to permeate the interior of your vehicle when braking hard or for extended periods of time.
Damaged Rotor
Age and heat can also cause damage to the rotors, which are the part of your tire that your brakes actually press down on to slow your vehicle. Excessive heat and wear can cause degradation, which will alter the shape of your rotor. When this happens, your brake pads will not be able to sit snugly on the rotor, causing vibrations to occur when the brake pedal is depressed. These vibrations may be solely located in the steering wheel and brake pedal, but can also cause the rest of your vehicle to shake in extreme cases.
Leaking Fluid
Another extremely common issue that can face your vehicle's brake system is if a brake line becomes damaged. When this occurs, brake fluid can leak out of the lines. You'll be able to tell if this is the case because your brake pedal will begin to feel very soft and spongy, and your vehicle will not be able to slow down at the same rate as it could before due to a lack of fluid necessary to maintain enough pressure to ensure the pads are pressed against the rotor. You should head to a mechanic straight away: severe loss of brake fluid can lead to a complete brake failure. To learn more about break issues, visit http://www.autoservicefairfax.com.
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