Of all the parts of your car that can fail, the brakes are the ones you'd want to fail the least. This is because brake failure means you won't be able to bring your car to a stop. This isn't ideal when you're already moving at a high speed.
However, brakes don't just fail. There are certain circumstances that increase the likelihood of brake failure. What circumstances are these?
Neglecting Maintenance
Neglect is, perhaps, the most common reason behind brake failure. Brakes, like many other parts of your car, need care and attention. The different components have a limited lifespan that can be shortened due to issues such as excessive wear or misuse. Without regularly scheduled maintenance, the level of wear may be too high to allow the brakes to serve in any reasonable capacity.
Overheating Brake Pads
The brakes are designed to handle a lot of heat as this is expected during normal operations. However, even the brakes have their limits and if allowed to overheat can become brittle and hard. If the brake pads are hard, they won't be able to grip the rotor disk properly. Overheating can be caused by poor driving methods or going downhill, which usually calls for heavy use of the brakes.
Damaged Rotor Disks
If your rotor disks are damaged, they can also reduce the lifespan of your pads. If your rotor disks are scored, ensure they are smoothed at the brake repair shop when you go to get the brake pads replaced.
Leaking Hydraulic Fluid
Hydraulic fluid leaks can cause brake failure in two ways. For starters, if the leaking hydraulic fluid ends up on the brake pads, it will reduce the amount of friction between the pad and the rotor. This can make stopping a lot harder than it should be.
Secondly, a hydraulic fluid leak will mean that not all the force applied on the pedal goes to the brake pads. This will mean you'll need to use more force to stop the car.
Driving Through Mud or Water
Although the effect won't be as pronounced as with oil or brake fluid, mud and water can also 'lubricate' your brake rotors and pads. This will reduce the friction, making it a lot harder to stop the car. However, gently tapping the brakes can help to remove the water. However, there is still need to be cautious about this when driving in wet conditions.
For more information, don't hesitate to reach out to companies like George's Eastside Shell.
Share2 November 2018
How well will the body of your car hold up over the winter? The snow, ice and road treatment materials are harder than you can imagine on the body of your car. If you don't take the time to prepare the finish for these elements, your car could quickly become damaged or begin to deteriorate over the winter. This blog is all about preparing the body of your car for the abuse that Mother Nature is about to put it through. By the time you have come to the conclusion, you will know just what to do to keep your car looking good until spring.