Routine brake maintenance is crucial for the health of your vehicle. If you go too long without routine maintenance, your stopping distance will increase significantly. Additionally, your brake pads, rotors, and calipers will be put under undue stress. If you’re not sure how often you should get routine brake service, you’re not alone. Keep reading to find out.
How Often Should You Get Routine Brake Service?
You should schedule routine brake maintenance every 18,000 miles. It is important to have your brakes checked and serviced regularly because brake systems comprise metals, such as steel. Driving in the rain, or driving when the ground is wet from rain earlier in the day, exposes your brake system to water which results in corrosion and rusting. Even if you park your car in a garage or under a carport, your brake system is exposed to moisture in the air.
It is also important to have your brakes worked on every 18,000 miles because driving exposes your brake system to very high heat, dust, and dirt. The slider pins, calipers, pads, rotors, and bolts can have dirt build up around them, causing them to wear significantly. When the entire brake system is cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis, it will last a lot longer.
When You Should Come in for Immediate Service
You should come in for immediate service if you notice any signs that your brakes are going bad. Here are some of the most common signs you should look out for.
Brake Fluid Under Your Vehicle
You may have a leak in your master cylinder if you notice brake fluid under your vehicle. If your brake fluid is fairly new, it will be almost translucent and a little yellow. As it ages, it will darken and become less clear. However, you can always identify brake fluid by its smell of fish oil.
You must come in for service right away if you have brake fluid leaking because brake fluid is essential for the health of your brake pads and rotors. If there isn’t enough fluid in your brake system, too much pressure will be applied to the brake pads and the system will overheat.
A Spongy or Soft Brake Pedal
You should also come in for immediate service if your brake pedal is spongy or soft. If your brake pedal is so soft it depresses all the way to your floorboard when you apply pressure to it, you have a serious problem. Most of the time, you may have too much air or moisture in your brake system, but you also may have a serious problem with your master cylinder.
To keep your vehicle operating safely, you should schedule routine brake maintenance every 18,000 miles. You should schedule an appointment right away if you’re experiencing signs of a failing brake system. If you can’t remember the last time your brakes were serviced, it’s probably time to bring your vehicle in. Visit us at Flood Mazda on Old Tower Hill Road, and we’ll ensure your entire brake system, including your parking brake, is in good working order.
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