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Your car’s brakes are vital to keeping you, your passengers, and other drivers and pedestrians safe. Braking systems, like any other components, can suffer wear and need to be maintained. A service for your brakes helps to keep them in excellent shape. Some drivers don’t understand the reasons for brake service. As your Ford dealer, we’d like to explain when you need a service and why it’s important.
When Should You Get Brake Service at Your Ford Dealer?
How Often?
It’s advisable to get a service for your brakes every 6,000 miles or every six months. Your brakes can be exposed to a lot of wear and tear. The brake fluid, for example, is carried by steel lines and rubber hoses. The rubber can become inelastic and crack or leak. The steel hoses are exposed to rain and mud and could start to rust or corrode.
The service will also check the condition of the calipers, brake pads, the master cylinder, and other components of the braking system. This thorough check includes ensuring that your ABS braking system is working correctly. We also test your emergency brake.
Signs You Need a Service
Although it is recommended that the service is carried out every 6,000 miles, it can depend on your car’s situation. If, for example, you’re exposed to frequent stop-start city driving, or you tow heavy loads, these factors will put more strain on your brakes. Some of the signs you’ll need service include:
Screeching Brakes
A screeching sound from your brakes means that your brake pads have worn thin. These pads fit into the calipers that grab the wheel rotor and bring it to a stop. This process relies on friction, and as the brakes work they abrade the friction material on the pads. A piece of metal called a shim is built into each pad. When the pad has worn down, this shim will scratch the rotor. The screeching that results means it’s time to change the pads.
Pulling to One Side
If your car pulls to one side when you use the brakes, there’s a problem with the brakes on one side of your car. A caliper pin may jam and prevent the caliper from closing on the rotor, or there may be an air bubble in the brake hose. The brake on the affected side of your car doesn’t engage, while the brake on the opposite side works. This causes your car to pull towards the working brake side.
Fluid Leak
A hole in a worn hose or corrosion in one of the lines can cause a brake fluid leak. Damage to the fluid reservoir or its seals can also cause a loss of fluid. Brake fluid is essential to provide the hydraulic power needed for your brakes to operate. Without this fluid, you can step on the brakes, and nothing will happen.
Regular maintenance is important to keep your car operating effectively and efficiently. Call our service department today at Jordan Ford.
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