How often are you checking your brakes? A vibrating steering wheel is a sure sign of warped rotors. Does your car squeal or come to a grinding halt at red lights? It may be time to replace your brake pads and perhaps the rotors. The bad news is that these parts aren’t typically included in a car’s warranty as they are all preventative maintenance/wear and tear items that need to be replaced periodically. The good news is that Don’s Pro Technology Automotive Repair’s (DPT) highly capable technicians can inspect the brake system and replace the worn or damaged brake parts for you.

Making sure you and your passengers are safe is priority one. When you’re faced with the hazards on the road, you need to make sure you’re equipped with stopping power. Brake pads and brake shoes are the linings that actually do the stopping when you put your foot on the brake pedal. Brake pads are pressed against the rotor by the brake caliper and brake shoes are pressed against the brake drum by the wheel cylinder. Their special friction compounds are designed to handle immense forces during every braking situation. Over time that lining wears away and needs to be replaced. Putting off replacing pads and shoes can mean decreased braking ability, as well as serious damage to rotors and drums.

Disc brake rotors take tremendous amounts of punishment during normal driving. While the disc brake pads are designed to take the brunt of the braking force, over time the brake rotor surface itself will also wear away. Just changing brake pads without paying attention to rotor thickness can lead to less effective overall braking. When brake rotors become too thin for service or too warped to turn, the best solution is a pair of new rotors. Just like brake pads, brake rotors should be replaced in pairs to provide balanced braking.

The disc brake caliper is responsible for both holding the brake pads and holding the pistons that force the disc brake pad against the disc brake rotor during braking. Dirt, debris, and road salt take their toll on braking components. Over time disc brake calipers can leak brake fluid or the caliper pistons can freeze-up, greatly reducing overall braking efficiency. A failing brake caliper can even cause erratic handling during braking. Dependable, consistent brakes are as easy as a visit to Don’s Pro Technology Automotive Repair.

Correct viscosity of brake fluid is also quite important.

Imagine you pour a tablespoon of water into your hand and throw it as far as you can. Now suppose you suck up a tablespoon of water with a syringe, push the plunger and squirt it out. Which would go farther?

Obviously, the syringe would shoot the water much farther. That’s because you pressurized the water. Your power brake system is kind of the same thing. When you hit the brake pedal, the master cylinder pressurizes brake fluid, which activates the brakes so you can stop. If there is not enough pressure, you cannot stop.

A leak in your brake system would lessen, or possibly eliminate, your stopping power. Brake fluid attracts moisture which can cause detrimental corrosion. This would, in turn, create a leak. So a great way to keep your brake fluid free of contaminants is to change it as recommended.

The right amount of brake fluid is essential for the proper function of anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control systems. During each and every oil change at DPT a 30 point inspection of the vehicle is executed which includes checking the level and viscosity of the brake fluid. If the brake fluid is low that is a good indicator that a brake inspection is vital. Low brake fluid is most generally caused by worn brake pads. Additionally, contaminated or poor viscosity brake fluid can detrimentally affect the performance of your brake system rendering it mushy and/or ineffective which is a huge safety concern.

Some of the signs of a leak are: reduced stopping power and spongy or hard pedal feet. If you suspect a problem, visit Don’s Pro Technology Auto Repair at 230 E. Tehachapi Blvd., in Tehachapi or call them at (661) 822-1600.