How Often Should I Have My Brakes Checked?

Your vehicle brakes are its most important safety feature, designed to keep you and everyone else on the road safe. The entire braking system is deceptively complex , involving many parts that need to be checked and often replaced. Not many people know with absolute certainty when their systems are failing or when an inspection is needed. Keeping the following guidelines in mind lets you know exactly when to get your car in for a brake check.

What Causes Faster Brake Wear?

• Driving along the roads with a lot of hills and sharp turns
• Riding the brakes
• Urban Driving Stop-and-Go
• Driving in heavy traffic with frequent brakes
• Using cheap / unreliable brake pads and other components of the brake system

If you are guilty of all of the above, your brake pad / shoe replacement interval is closer to the 20K-mile mark. The less stress you put on your brakes, the longer you can run out of brake service.

Loud Noise

If you notice any grinding or grinding sounds when you press the brake, it could mean that your pads have been worn down or are failing. These sounds often occur when the metal from the worn-down brake grinds against other components in the car, causing damage to the rotors. Driving your brakes in this condition for too long is a serious safety concern.

Vibration

Steering wheel vibration going down hills or when braking at higher speeds is another sign that your brakes need to be checked. These vibrations or pulsations are caused by rotors that have been deformed or damaged. Vehicle owners who drive under brake-heavy conditions, such as driving down steep hills, should have their brakes checked frequently.

Reduced Responsiveness or Pulling

One of the first signs that your brakes may fail is reduced responsiveness, requiring you to apply more pressure to the pedal to achieve the same effect. In other cases, the vehicle may pull slightly to one side whenever the brakes are applied. It is important to get your car in for inspection as soon as you notice these signs, because they only get worse over time , leading to dangerous driving situations.

How long do brakes usually last?

The lifespan of your car’s brakes depends a lot on how often you drive, but also on what conditions you drive. For example, if you spend most of your time driving rural areas with little traffic, your brakes are likely to last longer than those driving in urban areas with plenty of stop-and-go traffic. It is therefore difficult to establish a general brake replacement interval.

Best Practices

Ideally, you should have your brakes checked every six months. Most people do this at the same time they rotate their tires, so they don’t forget about it. If you can not remember the last time a professional checked your braking system, you should arrange an appointment as soon as possible. Depending on the type of traffic you’re going through and how you drive your car, more inspections may be needed. This is why you should pay attention to warning signs of a failure of the brake system.

Are You Looking for an Independent Auto Repair Shop you Can Trust?

If you’re considering making a change to an independent auto repair mechanic trusted by thousands of happy customers, look no further than autoTECH Blackhawk. Why? We differ from other automotive repair stops because we are a relationship shop. This means that the more of your car repair needs we support you with, the better able we are to customize our recommendations based on your driving habits and needs. Whether you want to keep the daily driver in ‘good enough’ condition, style your new car so that it’s customized just for you, maintain your favorite car in ‘like new’ condition, or even train your whole family to be more knowledgeable about cars – we partner with you to ensure that your cars meet your needs. We also offer an industry-leading 3-Year/36,000 mile warranty, so we only use Original Equipment and manufacturer recommended products. Contact us now to book your no-contact, friendly appointment! We truly value your trust and your business, so thank you for staying local with your auto repair needs.