As car owners, some things go by the wayside during our day-to-day driving. However, some car maintenance tasks that feel “optional” are actually crucial for catching early issues.
In the same way that you wouldn’t wait to go to the doctor with a health issue until you couldn’t manage it anymore, you shouldn’t neglect preventative care for your vehicle. One important step in car upkeep is getting regular brake inspections. You might ask, “why are brake inspections important?” Lucky for you, we have the answer to this question and more below.
Do I Need To Get a Brake Inspection?
Certain vehicle issues mean that you should immediately head to your trusted mechanic and get your brakes inspected as soon as possible. As centralaveauto.com shares, these issues include a brake warning light that won’t shut off, continual grinding or squealing in your brakes, spongy or low brake pedal, hard brake pedal, and “clunking sounds” or vibrations when you apply the brakes.
Outside of those emergency situations, you should still get your brakes checked because it’s a simple, quick preventative measure that can avoid awful situations. When you check your brakes regularly, you can have the peace of mind that your brakes are safe to use as you make your way down slippery slopes in the rain or uphill in the snow. As carvergeneralrepair.net explains, as you get your brakes inspected, you can watch and learn how to do basic checks on your brakes in between professional inspections.
When you get your brakes inspected, you can also receive feedback about how you are using your brakes. For example, if you slam on your brakes frequently, the person doing the inspection will notice that they seem to be wearing down at an accelerated brake. This can be a reality check that encourages you to correct the issue before you have to replace the brakes as a whole.
Finally, by getting your brakes inspected you can see how different parts of the brakes, such as the brake pads and brake fluid, are doing. If you regularly inspect your brakes, you can ensure that your brakes have enough fluid to create the right amount of pressure to stop your vehicle. When a mechanic inspects your brakes, they will also check your brake pads to ensure they don’t need replacing. While it can be expensive to replace brake pads, it’s less costly than driving on worn-out pads and risking your life and your passengers’ lives.
As you can see, regularly inspecting your brakes will give you the peace of mind to drive and the information you need to protect your vehicle from further damage.
Brake pads come in different grades: good, better, and best. Higher grades cost more but give better braking performance and smoother operation. It’s okay to upgrade your brake pads, but you should never use a grade that’s lower than what the manufacturer recommends.