Welcome to Montgomery CDJR's Brake Service page. Here, you'll find the answers to all your questions about your vehicle's brakes. Your brake system has the incredible responsibility of stopping your vehicle safely. This complicated system has many moving parts, some that wear out quickly and others that function perfectly for ten years or more. Many factors affect how these parts wear, from driving style and weather to how often you have your car's brakes serviced. So, we had our brake experts take a moment to explain how your brakes work and recommend the proper maintenance program for your vehicle.
Your Brake System Explained
As arguably the most crucial safety feature on your entire vehicle, you count on your brakes to stop your car under various conditions and loads. In most cases, you gently apply the brakes to stop your vehicle slowly. However, emergencies arise requiring a quick stop to avoid a collision. In other situations, you could have wintry weather or heavy rain when braking.
Modern vehicles use mechanical and hydraulic systems to stop your car. Understanding how these systems work together will help you better use and maintain your brakes. The procedure starts mechanically with the brake pedal. As you depress this pedal, a mechanical arm activates the hydraulic portion of the system. Next, the master cylinder pressurizes the brake fluid, which forces your brake pads to clamp down on the brake discs or rotors attached to your wheels. This pressure stops the wheels from rotating, and the harder you press, the faster they stop.
Most vehicles on the road today have an anti-lock braking system (ABS). While older cars also had clamping of the pads to the rotors as described above, without an ABS, the wheels would lock up entirely if you pressed too hard, sending your vehicle into a dangerous skid. The treads on your tires grip the road as they turn. Once your tires stop turning, they lose their grip, and you lose your ability to maintain traction and control in a critical moment.
An ABS won't lock up the wheels in an emergency braking situation no matter how hard you press the pedal. Instead, hard braking initiates a rapid pulsing of brake pressure that allows your wheels to rotate, keeping your tires and their tread turning and thus maintaining traction.
Your Brake System Explained
As arguably the most crucial safety feature on your entire vehicle, you count on your brakes to stop your car under various conditions and loads. In most cases, you gently apply the brakes to stop your vehicle slowly. However, emergencies arise requiring a quick stop to avoid a collision. In other situations, you could have wintry weather or heavy rain when braking.
Modern vehicles use mechanical and hydraulic systems to stop your car. Understanding how these systems work together will help you better use and maintain your brakes. The procedure starts mechanically with the brake pedal. As you depress this pedal, a mechanical arm activates the hydraulic portion of the system. Next, the master cylinder pressurizes the brake fluid, which forces your brake pads to clamp down on the brake discs or rotors attached to your wheels. This pressure stops the wheels from rotating, and the harder you press, the faster they stop.
Most vehicles on the road today have an anti-lock braking system (ABS). While older cars also had clamping of the pads to the rotors as described above, without an ABS, the wheels would lock up entirely if you pressed too hard, sending your vehicle into a dangerous skid. The treads on your tires grip the road as they turn. Once your tires stop turning, they lose their grip, and you lose your ability to maintain traction and control in a critical moment.
An ABS won't lock up the wheels in an emergency braking situation no matter how hard you press the pedal. Instead, hard braking initiates a rapid pulsing of brake pressure that allows your wheels to rotate, keeping your tires and their tread turning and thus maintaining traction.
Signs You Need Brake Service
Modern brake systems have complex components that must work together with ABS, stability control, and traction control systems. We recommend you have your brakes inspected at least twice yearly to ensure proper function. Our service center in Nicholasville can inspect your brake system quickly and, if necessary, have the know-how to repair any issue they might uncover. In addition, you can be on the lookout for specific signs between brake inspections that might signal a problem. Some of these are:
Unusual Noises While Braking
The braking process remains surprisingly quiet despite the high heat and pressure involved. Therefore, you might have a problem if you begin hearing unusual sounds such as squealing or squeaking. You might have worn out brake pads, and that's okay. Your pads were engineered to wear down over time. However, when they wear to a certain level, small metal pins become exposed and make a squealing squeaking noise when they touch your rotors.We recommend you bring your vehicle in immediately if your brakes make unusual sounds. Ignoring this symptom can be costly as the metal pins will score your rotors if left unchecked. Eventually, the scoring creates an unsafe situation and necessitates a more expensive rotor or disc replacement.Unfortunately, if you hear a grinding sound, you've probably waited too long. Your rotors or discs have likely experienced significant damage and need replacement. In addition, a thumping noise or unusual vibrations also indicate issues. We suggest you schedule service immediately if you hear something unusual.
Brake "Feel" Changes
We all develop a feel for how our vehicles operate, including braking. You know how it feels to steer, accelerate, and brake. Therefore, have your brakes inspected if you sense a change in brake feel.We describe brake feel as the amount of resistance you sense as you press on the brake pedal. For example, your pedal could feel softer or move down more quickly if you have a problem. Sometimes, your brake pedal could sink to the floor without you ever pressing on it.
Increased Stopping Distance
You likely have a problem with your brake system if you realize it takes longer to slow or stop than usual. The problem could be anything from worn brake pads to low brake fluid levels or a failing master cylinder. Not enough brake fluid or a failing master cylinder can compromise your ability to stop safely.
Sharp Pulling While Braking
All vehicles were designed to drive straight without steering input. This concept applies to braking as well. Therefore, if you experience a sharp pull to either side when you press the brake pedal, you could have a problem. We recommend you have your brakes inspected immediately. Our technicians know how to diagnose this problem. It could be a malfunctioning caliper, a brake line leak, or a problem with your steering or suspension system.
We Inspect and Repair Brakes in Nicholasville on All Makes and Models
We take enormous pride in our highly skilled technicians and provide them with ongoing training to remain updated on the latest parts and repair practices of all brake systems. Our inspection thoroughly examines all the moving parts of the system. We check the many springs, levers, calipers, and sensors that must work together to stop your car safely.
The inspection also covers a detailed measurement of brake pedal height, the distance it travels when pressed, the amount of free play, and the travel space that remains after resistance. Your technician will test the brake fluid's age, moisture content, and level as part of the inspection. In addition, the technician closely inspects your rotors, discs, drums, and pads for wear and damage. Finally, we inspect your master cylinder and brake lines for functionality and leaks.
You rely on your brakes to keep you and your passengers safe. Therefore, you should do everything possible to keep the entire system running perfectly. Montgomery CDJR understands this and provides you with a comprehensive report after every brake inspection. Our factory-certified technician will explain any findings, how to fix them, and the expected cost and time. You can schedule a brake inspection online or stop by our dealership anytime.
Image by Benjamin Brunner is licensed with Unsplash License
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