Every car owner knows that maintenance and service are essential when it comes to extending the life of a vehicle and keeping it on the road. Scheduled maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations are incredibly important and will help prevent things like premature wear and replacements. However, maintenance becomes all the more important when you start dealing with equipment and components that keep you safe on the road. This is why regular brake service should never be neglected and should always be a part of your service routine.
Brake service generally includes things like pad replacement, rotor resurfacing, and line bleeds, all of which can improve brake performance. On top of generating better stopping power, getting regular brake service also has some unexpected benefits that you may not be aware of. Knowing some of the reasons why brake service is so important is your best bet if you want to make it a priority whenever you bring your vehicle to the shop. With a good understanding of what good brakes can do, you can make the right choices for your vehicle maintenance and service.
Perhaps the most obvious, but also most important, benefit of getting regular brake service is improved braking power and safety on the road. Brakes with worn-out pads or uneven rotors will not have enough stopping power to keep you safe. This is especially true in situations when you have to brake suddenly and need to be able to do so in a way that will stop you right away without causing you to lose traction. Regularly-serviced brakes will be much safer and help keep your tires on the road, even if you have to slam on the brake pedal.
When you drive your car, it is just as important to have peace of mind as it is to have a comfortable interior or smooth suspension. When you get regular brake service, you can rest easy knowing that your most important components are in good working order. A brake technician will check to make sure that there are no hidden issues and that you won’t experience brake failure at a crucial moment. This can help give you confidence behind the wheel, which, in turn, helps you drive safer.
Oftentimes, when we think about brakes that are not in good condition, we think about taking longer to stop the car than usual. While this is generally the way it goes, brakes that haven’t been serviced in a while can also become more finicky and unpredictable. When this happens, you might find yourself braking harder than usual or coming to more sudden stops as you try to compensate for the lower braking power. This can lower your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and force you to spend a lot more at the gas pump than you should.
In a recent test by the EPA, it was found that heavy or sudden braking can decrease fuel efficiency by up to 33 percent, even during highway driving. When you get regular brake service, you can decrease the number of hard stops that you make and keep your fuel efficiency as high as possible. This is especially important in an age when fuel prices are constantly in flux and fuel economy is more important than almost anything else having to do with your car.
One of the most expensive things that can come up when you bring your vehicle to the shop is a replacement for a component. While it can be fairly expensive to fix something, replacements require more labor and you have to tack on the price of parts. Getting regular brake service reduces the number of rotor replacements and other costly procedures that you have to pay for. Whenever possible, it is much cheaper to get regular brake service than it is to replace components like lines or rotors.
While brake pads are meant to wear out and be replaced on a fairly regular basis, if you don’t do this important brake service, the old pads can cause warping in the rotors that they grab onto. When this happens, they will need to be resurfaced, or if the damage has been too extensive, they may need to be replaced. New rotors will cost anywhere between $250 and $500 for each axle, so getting regular brake service and replacing the pads on schedule is always going to be the cheaper option.
It is important to remember that brakes are not just safety equipment. They can also determine how well your vehicle handles in the corners and what its performance is like in tight turns. Vehicles with better braking power handle better overall and give better feedback to the driver. Getting regular brake service will ensure that your car handles at the very top of its ability while also keeping you and other drivers on the road safe.
When you neglect brake service for your vehicle, you also increase the likelihood that you will run into steering issues. Bad brakes can cause your steering system to drag or pull to one side when the brake pedal is depressed. This can be distracting and unnerving, especially at higher speeds on a highway or freeway. Getting regular brake service ensures that your car will handle as well as possible at all speeds and that you won’t run into any steering issues that could have otherwise been avoided.
It is well-known among mechanics that worn-out brakes are noisy brakes. If it has been a while since you have gotten brake service for your vehicle, you have probably started to notice a squeaking or grinding sound when you hit the pedal. This is a sure sign that you need to have your brakes looked at as soon as possible. More often than not, this means that the pads are worn and that the metal tab on them is now pressing against the rotor.
When your brakes start squealing or squeaking, this generally means that they are starting to damage the rotors. On top of that, these noises can be incredibly distracting and you may even find yourself applying lighter pressure to the brake to avoid the noise. This can result in less efficient braking and less confidence when you are on the road. You should always feel comfortable applying the brakes in your vehicle and regular brake service can help with that.
The safety equipment on your vehicle should always be in good condition and with proper maintenance and service, you can be sure that you are getting the safest ride possible. Regular brake service is a great way to give yourself peace of mind on the road. Knowing that you have excellent stopping power and handling will let you focus on driving safely and help you feel confident no matter where you are driving.
If you need brake service or any other maintenance for your vehicle, ServiceUp is here for you. With one easy-to-use dashboard to help you manage your maintenance, collision, and mechanical repair needs, it has never been easier to get your vehicle fixed by qualified, experienced technicians. Whether you need simple oil changes or major body work, ServiceUp will take care of everything and get you back on the road. Get an estimate today to find out how ServiceUp can help!