Automotive Braking System 101

The brake system on your car, truck, crossover, van, or SUV is specifically designed to generate force and apply that force to stop the vehicle by sending pressure from the brake pads into each brake rotor. The force between the brake pads and rotors generates friction that offsets forward movement of the car. Whether you need to slow down leisurely for a yield sign or stop immediately on I-70 to prevent a collision, it is the brake system doing the intense work of stopping the car. Given the importance and value of a strong brake system, you should always follow the recommended maintenance interval for Brake Pad & Brake Fluid Service so that your vehicle has adequate stopping power and maximum passenger safety.

Are there Warning Signs of Problematic Brakes?

Brake system issues commonly show up in poor performance, driving experience, and concerning noises. The primary problem is that any warning signs are signaling that a safety concern exists with stopping power. If you have a faulty brake system component and it reduced stopping power, we are concerned for your safety at Briggs Dodge Ram FIAT. Because the Brake System is intertwined with passenger safety, we encourage everyone to monitor their vehicle’s brake system performance looking for any of these warning signs of a problem:

Noisy braking – usually a grinding, screeching, or squealing sound
Vehicle pulls to one side when braking
Shimmy or vibration in the steering wheel when braking
Brake pads down to metal on metal
Rotors grooved, scratched, or damaged surface

The Blood of Brake System Performance: Brake Fluid

It wouldn’t be a Brake System Service without Brake Fluid Exchange & Flush. Brake Fluid tends to absorb moisture and starts to lose integrity because it becomes compressible with water contamination. The exchange is vital but flush is best; Exchange will remove most of the contaminated Brake Fluid but not all. Flush Service removes nearly 100% of the contaminated Brake Fluid reducing the risks associated with poor Brake Fluid. Schedule a Brake System Fluid Exchange & Flush service today at Briggs Dodge Ram FIAT, and we’ll assign one of our highly-trained and highly-skilled technicians to the job.