Ensure Safe Driving by Keeping Your Brake System in the Best Conditions

by Phillip Thomas Digital Marketer

Efficient braking is a crucial requirement for a safe drive. Being able to brake effectively relies on your car’s tyres as much as the brake system. That is why braking distance is an important parameter for tyre performance. Such is the importance that manufacturers always highlight this feature for every tyre model.

Braking effectively becomes difficult if some components of your braking system start to malfunction. Moreover, it is crucial that you detect the signs of a faulty brake before it puts you in a dangerous situation. Look for the following signs to identify if there’s any defect with the brakes.

Signs of a defective brake system

A high pitched metallic screeching sound when you apply your brakes. A small metal shim that works as an indicator scratches against the brake rotors to warn you about brake replacement.
Your vehicles have a tendency to drift towards one side while braking. This can happen due to an uneven erosion of the brake pads.
Vibration or pulsations on the brake rotors may indicate warped rotors. Extreme application of brakes repeatedly generates a high amount of friction that heats the rotors and causes them to deform.
A burning smell and smoke from the wheels may indicate a stuck calliper. In such a situation it’s quite unsafe to continue driving.

Regardless of these signs, you need to take your car for a Brake Repair in Bicester for routine maintenance.

Along with regular maintenance, always try to adopt habits that will extend the service time of your car components. Here are few tips on how to prevent brake malfunction.

Tips to prevent your brakes from not braking!

Whenever you notice a spongy brake pedal, check the level brake fluid level. Buy proper brake fluid. Top up the existing fluid in your system. A spongy brake pedal can be a result of a defective master cylinder.
If you have power brakes, the pedal should stop 1 to 1-1/2 inches from the floor. A deviation from this standard indicates a problem with the power booster. If you don’t have power brakes, the pedal should stop at 3 inches from the floor.
If your vehicles travel too far before stopping, it means you need new brake linings. You can choose from semi-metallic, non-asbestos, low-metallic NAO, and ceramic brake pads as according to your needs.

As discussed before, braking distance of your tyres plays a vital role in efficient braking. Braking distance is the length your car traverses before it comes to a stop after you apply the brakes. As the tread depth decreases, stopping distance will increase. Incorrect tyre pressure also increases the braking distance as the tyre’s surface of contact reduces.

Although the minimum allowable tread depth is 1.6 mm, studies show its best to change your tyres at around a tread depth of 3 mm. If your tyre’s tread depth is below 3 mm, consider swapping them out with New Tyres in Bicester.

To buy quality tyres visit a professional auto garage that has experts, who will provide you with pointers to choose the best tyre for your car.

Garages such as Phillips Tyres keep an extensive collection of tyres from top manufacturers. They also provide brake repair & battery repair services.