You’re vehicle braking system has one very important job; To slow your vehicle down in a smooth controlled manner. It converts kinetic energy, or the energy of motion, into primarily heat energy. This is most commonly achieved by using a caliper to squeeze a brake pad onto a brake rotor. As the car slows down the friction between the pad and rotor creates heat. As you can imagine, after some time, these parts will wear.

When should I service my brakes?

The friction material or pads will typically see 20-40k miles of service before requiring replacement. This mileage depends largely on driving style, type of vehicle, and the condition of the other braking components.

Many vehicles have either an audible wear sensor or a light on their dash alarming you that brake service is needed. If you hear a new noise or feel a vibration when coming to a stop or applying the brakes it may be time to schedule an appointment to inspect your brakes.

Should I replace the brake rotors when the pads are replaced?

In most cases, yes. Replacing rotors when servicing brake pads serves a few purposes. It reduces the chance of unwanted brake noise and vibration and helps increase the life of your new brake pads.

Can’t the rotors be machined?

Possibly. During our brake inspection, if the rotor appears to be in good enough condition to be machined, a few measurements will be made. From there, we would recommend the best course of action. Some conditions, such as heavy rust buildup or deep scoring, can’t be machined out, and a new rotor will always be recommended.

Why do I need new calipers?

One of the most common reasons for caliper replacement is a caliper that keeps the brakes partially applied when your foot is off the pedal. During a brake inspection, the calipers are checked for any issue that may cause new pads to wear prematurely or evidence that the caliper may fail soon, such as leaking seals, torn boots, or difficulty retracting the piston. If any of these issues are discovered, it is recommended to replace the caliper.

What is brake fluid?

The braking system on light-duty vehicles uses hydraulic pressure to actuate the wheel brakes. This pressure is transferred using brake fluid. It’s crucial that this fluid has absolutely zero leaks and that it is appropriately maintained. Brake fluid should never require “topping off.” Low fluid could indicate the brakes are worn, or a fluid leak is present. If you believe your vehicle is leaking brake fluid, it should not be driven and should be towed in to be inspected.

Why should I service my brake fluid?

Most all manufacturers recommend servicing the brake fluid every two years. This is one of the few service items that are based on time, not mileage. The fluid absorbs moisture over time, which lowers the fluid’s ability to handle the heat and creates an environment that allows corrosion to begin forming within the braking system. Clean brake fluid is either clear or slightly yellow, while dirty brake fluid may be brown, black, or in severe cases, green.

What is a brake fluid service?

When we perform a brake fluid service, we are replacing all the fluid within your vehicle’s braking system with the newly approved fluid specified by the manufacturer.

Contact Kings Park Car Care for all your brake service needs in Kings Park, NY.