The brakes of a vehicle are one of the most important parts for you to maintain. If you do not have working brake, you can sustain an injury to yourself or others. Doing regular checks of your brake system can save you money from costly repair. It can also keep you safe. Here are some of the things that you should check for when doing routine maintenance on your vehicle's braking system.

The Brake Fluid

You should regularly check your brake fluid to make sure that is filled to the fill line in the reservoir. If the brake fluid level seems low, take a look at the reservoir and the brake lines for any areas that may be leaking. Check your driveway to see if there are any spots that may have accumulated on the surface. If you are leaking brake fluid, you will want to bring your vehicle to a mechanic for repair.

The Brake Pads

Brake pads lie over the brakes, cushioning them with each stop. In time, brake pads will wear until they are non-existent. You will want to replace them at the first sign of wear. If you start to hear a squealing sound when you stop, you may be hearing the brakes. They will make this sound when the brake pads are starting to lose their cushion. If you do not replace brake pads in a timely manner, your brakes will start to fail. You will also risk causing your rotors to wear.

The Brakes

When your brake pads have worn, your brakes may start to wear, as well. The brake pad cushions the brake, making it last longer. When your brakes wear, they will need to be replaced completely. This can be done at your auto mechanic service.

The Rotors

If you let your vehicle continue to be used when the brakes are going bad, the rotors will start to become scraped with each stop that you make. The brakes will be cutting into the rotors, causing them to become smooth. This will compromise the action of stopping. The rotors help grab onto the brakes so that the vehicle comes to a halt. If your rotors are smooth, you will need to have them recut so that they can continue their job properly.

You can only have rotors recut a couple of time before needing to replace them completely. This is a costly repair job, so it is best to bring your vehicle to be checked at an Alignment Center as soon as you hear that first squeal.

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