Brake Repair Before An Emergency Strikes

The stopping system within your vehicle is the most important component of vehicle and driver safety. A driver's ability to maneuver in light and heavy traffic to avoid danger is important; however, the condition of the vehicle he or she is manipulating is integral to the ability to stay out of harm's way. All drivers are knowingly or unwittingly dependent upon all of the other drivers they encounter for being responsible car owners who keep up with the maintenance of their vehicles, but that just isn't the case all of the time. Sadly, many drivers and passengers find this out too late as there are over 5 million car accidents on average each year. Many of them can be avoided with regular automotive upkeep such as brake repair in the form of inspections, mends, and replacements as needed.

Putting off brake repair discoveries of faulty parts or diminished functions that affect the safety of the stopping mechanism is just not worth the risk any day of the week, regardless of some of the excuses. For example, you may be in a rush to get to work because you were running late and didn't have time to visit the local garage, so you put it off for a week and then two weeks. Anything can happen in two weeks and you want to be more confident than your driving abilities that you can avoid an accident by making sure that your vehicle is ready to handle anything the road and your fellow drivers may be dishing out this work week.

When it comes to putting off car maintenance nothing is more dangerous than the rushed driver. So, let's delve a little bit further into the running late scenario. You don't want to desperately need your stopping mechanism to work harder or faster than you during morning rush hour when others are driving impatiently too. Another scenario is at the end of that very same long work day or the evening of a long road trip, when you are tired and your reflexes are impaired as a result. You may not be able to see something coming or drifting until the last second and you need your pads to squeeze the rotor and gradually bring those wheels to a stop for all surrounding your vehicle. Lastly, brake repair is not only important for your safety when you are driving alone but when your spouse and children are depending upon that car's safety as well. Remember that it takes only one irresponsible driver to cause a dangerous situation on the roads. It is important to do all that you can to not only protect yourself but to avoid danger with a well maintained vehicle.

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Brake Repair And Your Car Components

The driver's efforts to stop the vehicle and the mechanical components that bring that intention to fruition work together in order to provide each driving experience with the smooth, progressive or abrupt stops needed each and every day. Yes, you would like to get where ever it is that you are going, but the stopping function keeps you as well as all of the other drivers and pedestrians near the road, safe each day. The process starts with your, the driver's, reflexes in the form of alertness, defensive driving awareness, and experience. The process of bringing your vehicle to a halt ends with the strength and proper function of the auto parts, mechanisms, that work together to slow and stop spinning wheels and the four tons that they are moving down the road.

From the driver's perspective, the process of stopping one's vehicle can seem quite simple. With the application of the center pedal the car slowly or abruptly comes to a stop. However, your vehicle's ability to stop carries out more than the foot can feel or the eye can see. Great friction and hydraulic power is used to bring 40, 50, or 60 mile an hour spinning wheels to a standstill. If the fluid line has been breached along the line or in its connections the fluid will not reach its position within each tire's stopping mechanisms. If the pads attached to the calipers are not of adequate thickness and condition, they will not properly stop the rotor, or they will cause screeches and vibrations throughout the vehicle with each stop. These two examples are evidence as to why regular brake repair with inspections and occasional part replacement are critical to healthy car function and passenger safety.

Whether your vehicle has disc brakes in the front and drums in the back or all disc components, you will require maintenance in order to keep its use up to date and to optimum performance. Throughout the life of your vehicle, and because all drivers are so dependent upon the stopping system of their vehicles, it is important to check the components of brake repair periodically - as often as every six months. The fact is, the more you use your vehicle, the more you will depend upon the brakes. You, the driver, and the improvements of regular brake repair work together to help you stop and go in traffic all week, abruptly stop in avoidance of dangerous situations. They also work together to maintain the many parts that help them both last longer.

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Brake Repair And Why You Should Get It Done Quickly

There are a million things that can go wrong with your car. Many of these things fall into the non-emergency category and can be fixed when you have the money, or never, if you choose to live without them, such as your air conditioner. If you would rather roll the windows down and let wind be your natural air conditioning, there's no hurry to get your Freon topped off. But then there are the things you should get taken care of as soon as possible. Brake repair falls into this latter category. Without solid, dependable brakes, you are endangering yourself, your passengers, and others on the road.

It's easy to ignore minor problems. After all, the car is still getting you where you need to go, and is still stopping when you want it to. But how long will that last, when you start hearing that tell-tale squeal? This is the question that every car owner must wrestle with, if they are to delay brake repair. Yes, it may just be an awkward sound right now, but you may not even realize how much your braking power has declined. It doesn't happen all at once. The best way to see this point is to take your car in for new pads. You'll immediately notice how much less pressure it takes to stop your vehicle. When you're navigating the highways, you need the quickest braking speed you can get to avoid accidents.

Of course, there is a corollary to this. Getting brake repair done when the problem is still small means saving money. Let a problem go too long, and you could wind up needing to do more than simply replace the pads (a relatively inexpensive job). You could wind up cutting into the rotors. That means they will need to be replaced as well. This will drive your costs up. The price you pay for waiting could be substantial. This doesn't even take into consideration the kind of price you might have to pay should you get into an accident with your faulty braking system.

Getting brake repair done "quickly" isn't just about taking care of problems as soon as they appear. It also means finding a shop that won't tie up your transportation for a week. Most maintenance in this category should take no longer than a few hours, so if your mechanic wants to keep your car for a few days, you might want to consider going somewhere else the next time you need a new set of pads.

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Brake Repair And The Problems That Plague A Vehicle

If you're experiencing problems when you bring your car to a stop, brake repair is probably in your immediate future. This can be a scary time for a car owner. After all, the first thing lighting up in your mind like a neon sign are the words: HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST? Juxtaposed with this is a second picture, this one of your current bank account balance. Rarely are the times when you can think about this and not be a little worried. If you can, congratulations. If you can't, join an ever-increasing club, where many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. At a time like this, you want all the information you can get. Here are some common problems from the braking system and what the solutions are likely to be. Use these problems to determine how much you might be likely to spend.

Shaking Steering Wheel

Does it feel as though your steering wheel is having an epileptic seizure every time you bring your car to a stop? The problem could be in a variety of areas, but it's more likely you're looking at a need for brake repair. Often, the trouble is with the rotors, which may have become warped through time. It could also be from rust accumulating on your rotors, which is something to consider if you live in an area with a lot of rain or humidity. Resurfacing the rotors should take care of this pulsation and give you back a smooth wheel when you bring your car to a stop.

Long Stopping Times

This is a serious issue and isn't something to be ignored. When you press on the brake pedal, you should get an immediate reaction from your vehicle. If you find yourself pressing the pedal to the floor before the car begins to slow, you should not be driving the car. Take it in for immediate brake repair. When this happens, it is almost always because the master cylinder has begun to leak. Take a quick check of your braking fluid to confirm this is the case. If you aren't sure how to check this fluid or aren't comfortable dealing with the specifics of the maintenance, get your car in front of a good mechanic as soon as possible.

Car Pulling to One Side

There are a few reasons why your car might be pulling to one side when coming to a stop. One of the most common reasons is due to a caliper getting frozen in place. This can leave you susceptible to an accident, so make sure you get brake repair as soon as you can get to a good shop.

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Brake Repair And Other Warning Lights

Is your brake repair warning light flashing? Then you need to pay attention. All of the indicator lights, in fact, are there for a reason. If motorists ignore them, something will likely go seriously wrong with the vehicle. These indicators are designed to keep everyone safe and the auto functional without leading to larger problems. Here are some lights that may flash on your automobile's dashboard:

Braking System Indicators

When the lights tell you that something is wrong with the braking system, it could be various problems lurking. It might be a reminder that the parking brakes are still on. This is a minor issue to fix; a motorist only needs to push the release button and let down the lever. If the individual ignores the light and keeps zooming down the road with the lever set, it can damage the axle and more. The alert signal may be flashing or static. It may also be combined with a beeping noise. This may be alerting you that fluids are low, parts are loose, pads are not working or many other reasons. If simple fixes such as releasing the parking lever and filling the fluids don't work, it's time to see a mechanic.

Other Indicator Alerts

Cars have a slew of alerts that may tell a driver that the oil pressure is askew, that there is a general malfunction, that the charging system isn't working, that the car is running low on fuel, that someone forgot to strap on their seatbelt, that the ABS (Anti-lock brake system) is having trouble, that the temperature is too high or too low, that the tires are not pressurized properly or the airbag isn't set. Some alerts such as the seatbelt reminder or the low fuel signal are relatively minor. Driving without a seatbelt isn't safe but it won't cause the engine to malfunction. It may generate a traffic ticket, however, as many states require drivers and passengers to wear them. Running out of gasoline will be inconvenient but it won't result in a huge repair bill. But the other alerting devices are especially crucial. Running out of oil can destroy an engine. Faulty brakes can result in a crash if brake repair isn't performed. Systems malfunction or problems with charging can also mean many significant problems that require the trained eyes and skill level of a certified diagnostician such as a mechanic or technician. Driving with improperly filled tires can cause lack of control when driving, wearing away of tread, lack of traction or steering ability. Some alerts simply flash "maintenance needed" and an owner will need to refer to his or her owners' manual or take it to a diagnostician at the local garage.

In the old days, automobiles didn't have indicator alert systems on the dashboard. A driver had to rely on his or her 5 senses or the timetable suggested in an owners' manual. Today, cars are equipped with many different kinds of computer systems including those that tell us it's time for brake repair.

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Brake Repair And Its Relationship With Your Car's Rotors

Rotors need brake repair when certain things alter its performance. These can be found in the braking system. They are the part on which the pads are pressed against when the driver wants the vehicle to come to a stop or slow down. They are flat discs which are usually connected to the wheel and it turns as the wheel turns. The pads, which are pressed unto them, function in different ways, either hydraulically, mechanically, electromagnetically or pneumatically. It is the caliper that presses the pads on the rotating discs to implement the stop or the slowing own of the automobile. These discs need to be smooth all the way around in order to function properly and deliver the action that they are supposed to.

Damage

There are several ways that the rotors can be damaged. These include, but are not limited to warping, severe rusting, scarring, uneven smoothness and cracking. Warping is a condition in which the disc may have bent due to pressure or trauma. Brake repair for this damage may be done by machining the rotors themselves in order to compensate for the warp that has occurred. This is a delicate job because excessive bending can result to more warping or dents which are difficult to get rid of. If the discs are dented, they may need to be replaced because the dents can cause the pads to malfunction or wear out prematurely. Rust can accumulate on the rotors if these are made of cast iron. The presence of oxidized iron is normal for this kind of material but excessive occurrence can compromise the stability of the discs, especially those of vented brakes. Brake repair for excessive rust may be to replace the vented brakes or to scrape off the excess rust if constant use cannot do so. Scarring is a condition that happens to the discs when the pads are worn out and are not changed on time. The worn out pads eventually give way to the caliper which will now be the ones that will be pressed against the rotating discs as the driver steps on the brakes. The metal on metal action causes the caliper to score the rotors. Regular checkups on the state of the pads need to be done to prevent this from happening.

Cracking of the rotors themselves usually happen to those that have holes drilled on them. The holes are supposed to lessen the weight of the assembly. The result of drilling holes is the occurrence of cracks in and around the holes. The cracks can be hazardous because they compromise the function of the pads as they are pressed on the discs. Brake repair for cracks is to actually replace the rotors because no amount of resurfacing can take away the cracks.

These are most of the problems with the braking system that focus on rotors. It is advisable to have the entire assembly regularly checked in order to prevent damages in it as well as to prevent any accident which may be the result of malfunctioning brakes.

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Brake Repair and How It Could Have Changed Pop Culture

It is super fun to get behind the wheel and drive a super fast car. Nothing says living the American dream like driving. Our popular culture is ripe with associations with the great experience of operating a motor vehicle. We have awesome bands with names like "The Cars" and "The Drive by Truckers." Our song lyrics are full of references to being "behind the wheel of a large automobile," and how we just "can't drive 55." We love movies about, "Driving Miss Daisy," being "Gone in 60 Seconds," and the aptly titled, "Drive." The thing we do not hear about often is the need for occasional brake repair to keep these vehicles rolling and how even some of our popular culture could have benefitted from the services of a skilled mechanic.

In Ferris Bueller's Day Off there is a pivotal scene in which the beautiful 1962 Ferrari GT California belonging to the titular character's best friend's father rolls away as it slips off the jack while they roll back the odometer. This could have potentially been avoided had the vehicle had appropriate brake repair. Perhaps then it would not have ended totaled in a ravine. This is no small loss considering there were only 100 of these vehicles made and they often sell today for excess of ten million dollars.

Another instance in popular culture that could have been totally different had there been appropriate brake repair is the iconic song, "Last Kiss." In the song, the singer borrows his father's automobile to take his lady friend out one rainy night. Speeding along a road he comes to another stalled out vehicle. Notably he sings at the moment of what would become the fatal accident that, "I couldn't stop so I swerved to the right." If his father had been properly maintaining the condition of the car this problem would not have arisen and the teen singer's love would still be alive.

One instance of our entertainment that shows how important and successful good brake repair can be is the animated film, Cars. In this humorous film where all of the transportation is anthropomorphic, the main character, Lightning McQueen, is able to make his way from last place to first. His high quality maintenance allowed him to stop and use his finely tuned operation to be a good sportsman and win not the race, but the trust and respect of the crowd and the world.

While these are all fantasy examples it is indicative of how important and what a difference good brake repair can make even in the imagined world.

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