The braking system on your car or truck can be complicated, and some things should prompt you to take the vehicle in for service immediately. The brakes are critical to the performance and safety of the vehicle, so even a minor problem could result in brake failure, and neglecting any possible brake problem is not a good idea.
Brake Performance
When the brake pads on your car or truck begin to wear, performance will typically diminish. Heat in the brakes can glaze the brake pad surface as you use them and the amount of friction they produce will reduce. The performance drop is expected, and most brake manufacturers account for it when producing brake pads. However, if it becomes excessive and you notice a long stopping distance or the brakes feel like they are not slowing your car effectively, you need to take the vehicle to a shop for brake service.
If you drive every day in stop-and-go traffic, more heat can build up in the brakes and the glazing can be a more significant issue. The brake service shop can swap the pads for ones with a higher heat tolerance to help combat the problem.
Ceramic brake pads are an excellent option for displacing heat, but they are more expensive than standard brake pads. However, they will not need replacing as often, so the higher cost is offset by fewer service calls for your vehicle.
Brake Vibration
If the brake pedal begins to pulse or the front end shakes enough to feel it in the steering, you may have a brake rotor that is warped or out of round. The warp can come from heat, wear, or heavy brake use, but is easy to repair if detected early enough. Many times new or nearly new rotors can be removed from the car or truck and mounted in a lathe that allows the brake tech to turn them down and remove the warp or bend.
In extreme cases, the brake rotor may need replacing, and the brake service tech may suggest installing new rotors on both sides. While it is not always necessary to replace both, it is better to do it all at once to ensure the wear stays consistent.
If rotor replacement is necessary, use the highest quality rotors you can afford for your vehicle. The brake system performance is critical and getting the best brake parts you can is often beneficial in the long run.
Contact a local brake service to learn more.
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