What Are The Benefits of Having Your Brakes Serviced?

Parked white car

How often should brakes be maintained? When brakes become worn out, they need to be changed. Instead of replacing the braking parts, typical brake maintenance includes cleaning, lubricating, and other procedures. 

Brake maintenance is necessary to keep the car safe to drive and ensure the brakes function properly between replacements.

Learn more about services for brakes and where to find car care doctors.

How Often Do Brakes Need To Be Maintained?

If you live in an area where road salt is used during the winter, you should have your car’s brakes inspected and fixed at least once a year.

This is because road salt causes significant corrosion in the braking components, which could lead to brake pads freezing up. Brakes must be frequently inspected and maintained where necessary in other locations. 

For example, if your mechanic found during an inspection that some of the parts display signs of sticking or freezing up, or when rust or dirt buildup results in braking noises, brakes must be maintained. If the brake rotors or pads are worn out, the brakes must be replaced, so you need to fix your car now in Culver City.

According to several automakers, brake inspections need to be carried out every predefined number of miles or periods, typically every 5,000–7,000 miles or every 4-6 months, whichever comes first. Other automakers specify that a maintenance schedule must include brake servicing.

What Benefits Can You Expect From Having Your Brakes Serviced?

Braking maintenance can increase brake efficiency, lessen brake noise, and increase the lifespan of brake parts such as brake calipers, drum brakes, brake pads, and rotors. 

Brake upkeep is crucial, especially in the “Salt Belt.” See the image of the brake caliper we rebuilt in an 8-year-old SUV after 8 salty winters, which has deteriorated. You may drive confidently after having the brakes serviced because you’ll know your automobile has reliable brakes.

To prevent sticking or seizing, the disc brake service involves removing the pads and calipers and cleaning and lubricating the guide pins and caliper brackets. To reduce squeaking, the brake discs (rotors) may also need to remove any surface rust, particularly around the edges. When servicing brakes, the manufacturer’s instructions must be followed.

All components, including those related to the parking brake, must be thoroughly cleaned and lubricated as part of the rear drum brake service, and excessive rust buildup from the drums must be removed. The rear drum and parking brakes may also need to be adjusted.

What Happens When The Brakes Lock Up? 

If the brake pads stick or the caliper seizes up, the brakes cannot work properly or might not release fully. 

As a result, the brakes will overheat and become less effective. The worn-out brake pads and braking rotor (disc) will need to be replaced. The brake caliper may need to be replaced if it becomes damaged from overheating. 

This problem is one of the typical reasons for premature or uneven brake pad wear, which necessitates brake caliper replacement in many autos. One of the potential signs of this issue is squeaky brakes.

The parking brake components, in particular, may seize up due to corrosion or a lack of lubrication, and rust on the brake drums can cause screeching. 

Rear drum brakes may experience similar issues. In most cars, drum brakes include a self-adjusting mechanism that can also seize up. A seized self-adjuster may eventually cause longer pedal travel. 

Naturally, the drum entirely protects drum brakes, and they often last longer without maintenance.

Brake inspection: In service facilities and dealerships, professionals usually visually inspect your brakes when your wheels are removed for a tire rotation or other work.

For instance, the wheels must be removed to thoroughly inspect the brakes during an oil change in a drive-through facility. We suggest having your brakes thoroughly inspected at least once a year to keep your automobile safe. 

Read the reviews before choosing a shop; you don’t want to entrust your brakes to unqualified mechanics. 

The brake examination typically involves testing the braking components following the manufacturer’s guidelines and, for instance, checking the braking discs or assessing the material thickness in the brake shoes or pads. 

Your mechanic or Japanese auto repair specialists could suggest that you have your brakes serviced if there are indications that the pads or caliper guide (slide) pins are not sliding easily.

Conclusion 

Brakes typically need to be serviced every 30,000 miles or so. However, this number can vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, as well as your driving habits. For example, if you frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic or hilly terrain, you may need to have your brakes serviced more often. Pay attention to your brake pads and check them regularly to ensure they are in good condition.

Automed Car Care provides West Los Angeles & Culver City car repairs for American and Japanese vehicles. Whether your car needs brake repairs, an oil change, battery repairs, or another service, count on our mechanics to get the job done to your satisfaction. Fix your car now in Culver City!