Regular brake service is essential for maintaining your vehicle’s safety. Without working brakes, your car won’t be able to stop on time. To keep everyone inside your car safe, perform the following tasks regularly.

How to Take Care of Your Braking System

1. Check the Brake Fluid

Unlike several other types of liquids flowing through your car, the brake fluid can last for years, so it’s easy to forget about it. But because this fluid is essential to the braking system’s function, you should check it according to the vehicle’s manufacturer guidelines. 

Clean braking fluid is clear, so a tan, brown, or black shade indicates contamination. If yours appears dirty or the reservoir level is low, schedule brake service immediately to replace the liquid and check the line for leaks.

Also, head to a mechanic whenever the brakes feel soft or mushy, as this can point to moisture in the brake fluid, which will make it difficult to create enough hydraulic pressure in the system to stop the vehicle.

2. Inspect Brake Pads

Approximately every 12,000 miles, inspect your brake pads for wear and tear. When the pads are too thin, the amount of friction placed on the rotors is reduced, so it takes longer to stop the vehicle. 

When the tires are cold, use a flashlight to look through the spokes of the wheels at the pads. If they’re less than a quarter-inch thick, it’s time to schedule brake service. If you aren’t sure how thick they are, look for a wear-indicator line running down the middle of the pad. When the line shows, get replacements. 

3. Examine the Rotors

On average, rotors—the round discs that the brake pads clamp onto—can last through two to three sets of pads. Although visually inspecting them for wear can be difficult, inspections are still necessary every 10,000 miles. 

If there aren’t any noticeable cracks, reach through the wheel spoke to run your finger along the rotor’s surface to feel for any grooves and around the edge for a lip, which tends to rise where the brake pads can’t touch the rotor. Numerous grooves or a tall lip of at least one millimeter indicates considerable uneven wear and requires immediate brake service.

If you can’t access the rotor through the wheel, visit a mechanic, who will remove the tire for a full inspection.

When it’s time for brake service, bring your vehicle to Sumida’s Auto Repair in Honolulu, HI, for fast and affordable repairs. The family-owned and -operated auto shop provides a range of services to keep you safe on the road, including brake system inspections, brake pad and rotor replacements, and brake fluid flushes. Call the ASE®-certified team today at (808) 533-2994 to schedule an appointment, or visit their website to learn more about their services.