Safe brakes. How to take care of the brake system?

Unforeseen traffic situations happen from time to time. That is why it is extremely important to be careful and concentrate on driving. However, even the fastest reaction will not be enough if the brake system fails. In order to ensure maximum safety for yourself and other road users, it is necessary to check it frequently and take care of its components with particular care.

braking system. Forewarned is forearmed

When is the best time to check the brake system? The answer is simple: always!

- The fluid level, the condition of the discs, pads, calipers and brake hoses - these elements must be impeccable, because the safety of not only ours, but also all other road users depends on this. says Pavel Zaborowski from the CUPPER workshop in Bialystok.

There is no doubt that the braking system is subjected to tougher tests during the colder months when road conditions are much worse. Therefore, before the rains and frosts linger on the weather for a long time, it is worth taking a look at how the brakes work in our car.

braking system. The first one is liquid.

The easiest way is to check the amount of brake fluid. You can even do it yourself - just look at the markings on the tank.

– If “below the line”, an addition is needed. The agent added must comply with the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer. It must also meet the relevant classification standard. Don't skimp on fluids. Substitutes of uncertain quality will not replace tried and tested measures. - advises a specialist.

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However, if it becomes necessary to replace the fluid, it’s definitely not worth doing it “at home”, especially in the case of newer car models. And you should not forget to change the fluid on average once every two years, because the old fluid loses its properties and is simply less effective.

braking system. Brake pads and discs

Brake pads are an element that affects the operation of the system. There are pads available on the market in various hardnesses designed for general or competitive skating. The specialist will decide which of them we should install. Regular replacement of brake pads should ensure a safe and comfortable ride.

- It is not worth waiting for them to start grinding and creaking when braking, because this is a clear signal that their surface is already excessively worn out. Pavel Zaborovsky warns.

Brake discs don't need replacing as often as pads, but that doesn't mean you can forget about them. When checking their condition, specialists will first check their thickness. Too thin a disc will heat up faster, which will make braking less effective, and the part itself will fail.

Vibrations on the steering wheel and vibrations felt when braking are signals that something is wrong with the discs. And what negatively affects the condition of the shields?

– First of all, the friction of worn pads or excessively hot cooling of the discs, for example, when driving into puddles immediately after hard braking. - explains Pavel Zaborovsky.

The rule of thumb when replacing discs is that the new pads must be installed with them. Also, both disks on the same axle are always replaced. Here, too, the workshop specialist will select the appropriate type of discs - solid, ventilated or slotted.

You should also pay attention to the brake hoses. The rubber from which they are made begins to wear out over time and can break under heavy braking.

To sum up, the efficiency of the braking system components is the key to safe braking. We must not forget about the security systems that support this system - such as ABS or ESP.

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