How Often Should My Brakes Be Checked? | Greenville SC
How Often Should You Have Your Brakes Checked?
If you don’t stay on top of the quality of your brakes, you’re jeopardizing you and your passengers’ safety. Brakes wear down over time, so we recommend getting them checked every 20,000-60,000 miles. This is so you can stay ahead of their maintenance and ensure your vehicle is secure. If you put off brake maintenance, they can become too thin and your car will be dangerous to drive. Continue reading to learn more about brake safety and precautions you can take.
A Primer on Brakes.
No matter if you own a car, truck or SUV, each vehicle has a braking system that needs regular maintenance checks. Brake systems are intricate, and have a lot of moving parts to make sure your car comes to a stop safely. The brake lines, fluid, rotors and calipers each serve their own purpose. Your brake lines must be impermeable in order to prevent any leaks or corrosion. The rotors of your brake system need to be free of any cracks or uneven wear. Lastly, your brake fluid should always be at an appropriate level according to your owner’s manual. This may seem overwhelming, but if you bring your car to our service department, our technicians can check all aspects of your brake system during a multipoint inspection.
One of the most important parts that you need to keep tabs on is your brake pads. Think of these as the pillows that cushion your vehicle whenever you come to a stop. These pads should be at least a quarter of an inch thick. If you let your brake pads become thin, this could be extremely dangerous for you and other drivers near you.
Location Matters.
Different roads and traffic patterns can affect your brakes. In fact, when you drive during heavy traffic or on the highway, your brakes are quickly worn down. Traffic congestion can be annoying and inconsistent, forcing you to go up and down on the gas pedal and brakes. In order to prevent your brakes from getting extremely worn down, we recommend getting a brake check done every 10,000 miles. Alternatively, you can have one of our technicians check them at each oil change. Traffic is unavoidable sometimes, but just be aware that you should stay attentive to your brakes and get them checked regularly.
Warning Signs.
Most vehicles will now alert you if your brakes need to be checked. A light on your dashboard will illuminate once your brakes start to get worn out. We recommend bringing your car to our service department as soon as possible once you notice this alert. Additionally, you may hear a high-pitched screeching noise when you hit your brake pedal. That noise is actually a feature built into your vehicle to make you aware of wear and tear. The noise you’re hearing is letting you know that your calipers and rotors are now grinding against each other.
If you feel an obvious vibration in your steering wheel whenever you use your brakes, this could signify that your rotors are warped or damaged. If this occurs, don’t hesitate to bring your car to Audi Greenville and we’ll diagnose and solve the problem.
Be Smart. Be Vigilant. Be Safe.
Our dealership’s top priority is ensuring your safety. You drive your car everyday, so our technicians want to make sure you’re secure when traveling to your various destinations. We’re here to answer any of your questions and provide the services you need. Schedule an appointment with Audi Greenville today.
If you think it’s time to get your brakes checked, schedule a service appointment today and bring your vehicle to Audi Greenville at 200 Duvall Drive, Greenville, SC 29607 . We look forward to serving our customers from Spartanburg, Anderson and throughout the Upstate.