Keeping Brakes in Good Repair for Winter Driving

During the winter months here in Denver, the weather is always changing and we never know just what conditions we will be driving in each day.  That is why it is so important to keep brakes in good repair for winter driving.  Existing brake problems can become worse during the winter, because we are driving in conditions that can cause traction to be reduced, like driving on snow and ice.  Bringing your vehicle in for a brake inspection so you can be sure your brakes will perform correctly when you need them to and keep you and your passengers safe is an excellent idea during the winter months.

The easiest way to keep your brakes in good repair is to have them and the rest of your vehicle maintained regularly.  It also helps to listen carefully to your car.  Brakes will squeak, click or grind when there is a problem, it’s just a matter of listening and discovering when the noises change.  As well as hearing squeaking or grinding noises when you apply the brakes, you might feel a pulse in your brake pedal, or a grabbing or pulling to one side or the other.  These are all indications that it might be time to stop in and see your auto repair shop and have the brakes inspected.

Having the brakes inspected goes a long way in preventing brake failure, but sometimes even with our best efforts, the brakes still fail.  If this happens to you, here are a few things to remember.

• Don’t panic.  By remaining calm you are more likely to be able to steer your vehicle to a safe stop.
• Turn on your turn signal and carefully try to get your vehicle to the right lane.  Watch your mirrors to avoid hitting another car.
• When you reach the right lane, put on your hazard lights.  This will let other drivers know that you are having a problem and allow them to steer away from your car.
• Take your foot off the gas pedal, downshift to a lower gear and allow the car to slow down.  You can downshift even if you don’t have a manual transmission, move the shifter from “Drive” or “D” to “Low” or “L”.
• Steer your car onto the right shoulder of the road, and then shift your vehicle into neutral.  Gradually apply the hand brake (emergency brake) until the vehicle comes to a stop.  Pull the hand brake slowly to keep control over the vehicle.

At Express Car Care we have been providing quality brake services in Denver for over ten years.  So come in and see us or give us a call @ 303-691-2760.