How brakes work is fairly simple, from a simple perspective, it is basically about pressing the brake pedal, which generates hydraulic pressure, administered to the master cylinder, and this generates more hydraulic pressure on hydraulic brake lines, and these brake lines are connected to your wheels, and they generate more hydraulic pressure.
Of course, that is just a simple explanation about their function, there is more to it than the eye meets, and now, with technology advances, brakes even use the energy from your engine as extra power to make your vehicle stop. A car usually has two brake systems, and each one of them controls the speed of two wheels.
Every single part of a vehicle has vital importance, as parts work as a whole, but you can trust us on this one: you do not want your brakes to fail.
Sometimes we have doubts about their performance, and so to know how to troubleshoot them comes in handy, here some suggestions:
- Does your car make a sound when braking? If there is a squealing sound it may be there because your brakes are new, but only you know that, if they are not then to replace the brake pads may be necessary. Do not wait, get them replaced as soon as possible or you will wear the rest of the system off and you will have to get more spare parts.
- Does your car make a grinding sound when braking? If there is a grinding sound is because you did not pay attention to the suggestion below and your pads are not there anymore, and you are pressing the metal plate behind the pads, yes, it means more money.
- Do you feel some kind of vibration on your steering wheel when braking? If there is a vibration then your rotor is warped, this is not necessarily your fault, the rotor may be catching on the pads, and this makes the steering wheel shake. Get your car checked, as this will wear off your pads rapidly, which means a higher risk for occupants.
- Do you have a spongy brake pedal? If your brake pedal feels spongy that means that there may be a problem with brake fluid, that is, a leak, air the brake lines, or maybe dirty fluid. In case your fluid is dirty you will have to drain it and replace it.
No matter what the matter is, if there is one, make sure your vehicle gets the necessary assistance, as a responsible driver would never risk his/her own safety or anyone else’s.