The winter conditions are not easy and we are not the only ones to suffer from them: during the cold season, our brakes are used more than ever. Add to this calcium and salt; your brake system may need special attention in the spring. Indeed, to avoid their premature wear, and all the consequences that could result from it, it is important to know a minimum about your brakes as well as the appropriate way to maintain them.
A vehicle's braking system has several mechanical parts that, when properly maintained, provide optimal braking. The amplifier, the master cylinder, the brake fluid, the pipe, the brackets ( calipers ), discs, and platelets are the main components of the system. All the parts are connected: when you press the brake pedal, the pressure exerted by your foot is transmitted to the master cylinder, which disperses brake fluid in the line. This causes the pads to deploy against the discs and the friction between these two components causes the vehicle to slow down until full braking. Rotors and pads are the parts that are most likely to wear out quickly since they are constantly subjected to strong, and recurring, friction.
It goes without saying that a brake system in good condition is essential for safe driving. This is why it is essential to ensure proper functioning. In addition, maintaining your brakes ultimately saves you money since you will have to change them less often ...
It is recommended that the brakes be serviced at least once a year, preferably every six months. In fact, it makes more sense to carry out this maintenance at the same time as the tire change (in the fall and in the spring), the components of the braking system being clearly more accessible without the wheels. It should be noted that owners of performance-type cars, commercial vehicles, and those who are on the road often should have their brakes inspected more regularly, ie every three months.
There are a few signs that may put you on the alert as to the condition of your braking system .
When you visit a garage to service your brakes, the technician first performs a visual inspection of the various components. For the pads, it is the thickness that your mechanic checks: the new pads are more or less 10 mm thick and they must be replaced when they reach 2 mm ... And we change the discs at the same time as the pads to have an optimal braking surface.
Next, your mechanic should lightly grease the caliper guides as well as the contact surfaces between the pads. The purpose of this lubrication is to avoid blocking, often due to rust. In the event of a blockage, the constant friction between the pads and the discs causes premature wear of these parts and leads to excess fuel consumption.
Aside from adopting a less aggressive driving style and washing your vehicle, it is also possible to clean your brake discs yourself to prevent wear and especially to improve braking efficiency. In fact, the salt and calcium spread on the roads in winter make life difficult for exposed brake parts and cause them to rust.
That being said, to clean the discs, it is essential to use the appropriate product, namely brake cleaner, available in big box stores for around ten dollars. Take advantage of a time when your wheels are not on your vehicle (when changing tires for example) to clean your brakes: spray the fluid on the discs, wait a few seconds, then wipe off the excess using with a clean cloth. Take care not to put any product (very corrosive) on the paint or the rubber so as not to damage them. So, especially in the spring, when you do your big cleaning, take the time to properly clean your brakes to avoid corrosion.
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