When it comes to a common car owner, car brake system is not usually what they pay much attention to. The reasons are very basic, but important. When brakes start exhibiting the symptoms of bad health, we fail to recognize them. And, when we ignore these symptoms, especially in case of old cars, the problem only aggravates.
Even the most seemingly untypical symptom like fluid puddles on the floor under your car could spell a problem with car brakes. So, here are 5 things that you probably didn’t know about brakes, but should know all the same.
Let’s start from the definition of braking system in car.
What Are Brakes?
According to Wikipedia, car brake system is a mechanical device that inhibits motion by absorbing energy from a moving system. It is used for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle, wheel, axle, or to prevent its motion, most often accomplished by means of friction.
So car braking system plays an important role as the car engine does. Because you need a strong engine but you need a strong braking system in automobile at the same time to stop the strong engine when you need too. In another way, if you go fast, you need the same amount of stopping power to reduce that speed.
5 Things that Drivers Do Not Know about Brake System
Only once you know what the problem is, will you be able to remedy it. And, it applies for all sorts of cars – manual, automatic, or hybrid. These 5 things will tell you what you must always keep in mind if you want to take care of your car brake system. So, here we go!
Worn Out Rotors
Does your car brake system not work as efficiently as it should? Do you need to apply more pressure than usual? Or you feel rattling, wobbling, shaking while braking? Faulty or worn out rotor surfaces could be the reason why your car doesn’t stop as fast as it should.
Every time when you brake, the brake pads apply pressure to your rotors to slow your wheels down. But due to the way you drive, the way you use the brake, the type of vehicle you drive, the brake pads may wear down quickly, increasing the risk of wearing down your brake rotors to the point of needing to have them replaced.
Rotor surface can get warped or damaged due to heat. In that case, it causes a pulsating pedal. In case it is overheated, the pedal will fail to make a grip on it. So, the rotor has a lot to do with inefficient brakes. If you keep ignoring the failing brake motor, it could lead to the total brake failure.
Leaks
You may have ignored leaks but you must know that it is not worth ignoring as it indicates an issue with the hydraulic. A hydraulic brake circuit has fluid filled master and slave cylinders connected pipes. When you push the brake pedal it depresses a piston in the master cylinder, forcing fluid along the pipe. The fluid travels to slave cylinders at each wheel and fills them, forcing pistons out to apply the brakes. The fluid pressure distributes itself evenly around the system.
If the brake pipe is leaky, you will lose the brake fluid, which can also lead to total brake failure. When your vehicle leaks brake fluid, it typically leaves a trail that can range from a light, yellowish hue to a dark brown that resembles motor oil. You can check on the ground under the vehicle, around the cylinder, on the brake lines, on the rotors and on the drums.. Make sure you get it checked. Add this kind of check to your maintenance tips list, and you will thank yourself.
Smoking’ Hot Brakes
Sounds kinda’ cool. Right? Well, it only sounds cool, but it is just the opposite of that if we talk practically. Something is dangerously wrong with your car’s brakes if your brakes are smoking.
The build-up of dust on the pad carriers can cause the brake pads to stick to the disc. When this happens, the brakes can’t return to their normal position and the wheel doesn’t spin freely. The constant friction creates a lot of unnecessary heat which often results in a bad smell and sometimes smoke. Leakage of a fluid that doesn’t belong in the car brakes system can also cause overheated brakes. Just in case it’s your axle seals that have seeped into the system, both, the rotors and the brake pads will be ruined.
You should take your car to the mechanic where specialists identify whether it is the stuck brake pads or the leaking of the fluid. They also give you the right solution after identification. It will save your car brake system.
Brake Fade
The brake pedal feels firm but there is reduced stopping ability. Fade can also be caused by the brake fluid boiling, with attendant release of compressible gases. In this type of fade, the brake pedal feels “spongy”. This is something that drivers totally fail to acknowledge as anything worrisome. When brake fade happens, it takes longer than usual for the brake to act. This may crop up as a temporary symptom due to overeating of rotors. However, if you leave it unchecked, it can come to stay. If that is the trouble you are facing, it means that both your rotors and pads have become unresponsive.
There are several things that can be done to the car braking system to massively improve the braking system to brake fade. You can flush out the old brake fluid completely and refresh with the new brake fluid. Then you can upgrade the brake pads. Since the brake fades, you can replace the new brake by buying the new brake from manufacturer or brake companies. There are a lot of retailing brake companies in the market which sell the brake which can handle the higher temperature than the original brake.
You should go for a car parts inspection, They will let you know what you should do to have the best driving experience with a good car.
Illuminated Brake Lights Switch
The brake light switch is the electrical switch that is responsible for activating the brake lights. When the pedal is pressed, the brake light switch makes contact, and the brake lights are illuminated. When the brake lights are illuminated, they alert the drivers behind you that you are slowing the vehicle. The brake lights and switch become very important for the safety of you and other drivers on the street.
One of the symptoms commonly associated with a bad brake light switch are brake lights that stay on at all times. If the brake light switch shorts internally it may cause the brake lights to stay illuminated, even when the pedal is not being pressed. So do not think of it as an electrical issue.
While in some cases it simply tells you that the parking brake is on, it is not always the case. If the light gets turned on while your handbrake is off, it can denote some serious problem with the hydraulics. It calls for a thorough inspection of the brakes system. Never, ever, must drive with that light on.
Sump Up
These are 5 things you should need to know about the car brake system and should take care if you face any symptoms as above, your car brake system is about failing to perform. Taking your car to the mechanic is the best idea to save the vehicle and for your safety.
If you wish to be safe on the road, these are some things about your car’s brakes that you must know. Check out other maintenance tips to better understand your car and fix any problem right after you face it.
