While you certainly do not need to know everything about the inner workings of your car (leave that to our expert technicians) it certainly helps to at least have a fundamental understanding of a few of the more significant parts of your car. In this post, we will be providing you with a basic understanding of brakes, how they work and what to look out for.
Your brake system runs on the hydraulic system and when you apply force on the brake pedal, it creates pressure in the master cylinder (MC). The MC is what is filled with brake fluid and the pressure is then sent to the brake calipers. The more you press on the brake pedal, the more pressure and therefore the harder the stop.
A common misconception is that the brake fluid leaves the MC chamber but it does not. It operates as a closed system, preventing anything from coming in or out. Having your technician inspect your brake pads and shoes for wear and tear is a way to check for potential brake problems. If you suspect there may be a leak, you should immediately take your car in for repair.
When you are braking, you should not hear any sound coming from the brakes. Any grinding or squeaking is your car’s way of telling you that there may be a problem or that your Anti-lock Brakes or ABA may be engaged. ABA became a standard for cars starting in the 1980s. Prior to this, the brakes needed to be pumped to get the car to stop, requiring the driver to maintain much more distance between themselves and the vehicle in front of them. Even now, when being taught how to drive, new drivers are often told they need to pump the brakes in rain or snow to avoid hydroplaning. This thought is actually outdated, with the majority of cars being driven today having the ABA system in place.
In addition to providing free brake inspections, one of our popular services is our high mileage oil change for cars that have over 75,000 miles. We know you have places to be which is why we offer a fast oil change and also want to make sure you are getting the best deal possible so be sure to check out our specials online.
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