Your brakes are one of the most essential systems in your car, and arguably the most important element for safe driving. Whether you’re coming to a stop in your neighborhood at a stop sign or have to suddenly avoid an accident, your brakes must work the way they are supposed to every time to keep you, your family, your vehicle, and others on the roadway safe.
Today, we’ll run through what high-quality brake service and repair looks like by trained and qualified technicians, as well as signs that your brakes may need to be serviced or repaired.
It is fairly easy to find a brake shop, as they are pretty much everywhere. What is not easy is finding a brake repair shop that is trustworthy and that you can trust to do the job right the very first time.
At Ramona Tire & Service Centers, our technicians are ASE-certified, unlike some other brake shops. That means you can have peace of mind when it comes to your brake service. Ramona Tire offers a free brake check whenever you get your tires rotated and with every oil change upon request.
We offer several brake servicing options, including:
We will also test drive your vehicle to make sure everything is working as it should to keep you safe.
It is important to have your brakes checked every 6,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first, to keep your brakes in good condition and make sure any small problems in your brake system are caught before they become major problems.
Every car and truck is different and has different brake pads and rotors, and are driven in varying driving conditions which can cause varying degrees of wear on your brake system. If you suspect there is a problem with your brake system before your next scheduled inspection, bring in your vehicle to your nearest Ramona Tire as soon as possible.
There are several things to keep an eye out for that could indicate that your brakes need to be repaired or serviced. If you notice any of these signs make sure to take your vehicle into your nearest Ramona Tire location to be serviced:
Your “check brake light” may also be on, which could be caused by several issues, such as low brake fluid, a problem with your anti-lock brake system (ABS), an electrical problem, or a problem with a sensor. Our expert brake technicians can determine the problem when you bring in your vehicle to be serviced and recommend what should be done to correct it.
As automotive technology has become much more advanced over recent years, the systems on your vehicle—including brakes—have become more complex. Here’s an overview of how today’s brakes work so you can be better informed the next time you get your brakes services at your neighborhood Ramona Tire.
Your brake system can be divided into two categories—hydraulics and friction materials.
Most newer vehicles have what is called disc brakes, which is a metal disc that your tire is mounted on. When you push your brake pedal, the hydraulics push two metal or ceramic brake pads against the disc and the friction that this causes in turn causes your car to slow and come to a stop.
Some older vehicles have what is called drum brakes on the back tires and disc brakes in the front. These drum brakes have brake shoes instead of brake pads. The brake shoes fit inside the drum and when you press your brakes these brake shoes press outward against the inside of the drum which causes friction and slows your vehicle to a stop.
The master cylinder is the first step in the hydraulic system. When you press on your brakes, you are causing physical pressure and the master cylinder takes that physical pressure and converts it to hydraulic pressure. Hydraulic pressure is fluid pressure. So your master cylinder causes your brake fluid to be pushed out to the other components in the wheels.
The next step in the hydraulics system is the brake lines and hoses. These are steel braided lines and high pressure shock and resistance hoses which are made to handle the high pressure of the brake fluid and deliver it to the wheels.
The last step of the hydraulics system is the brake calipers on disc brakes or wheel cylinders on drum brakes. In disc brakes, the hydraulic fluid goes into the brake calipers and is used to force a piston to squeeze the brake pads into the brake rotors. In a drum brake system, the hydraulic fluid is forced into two cylinders which are surrounded by rubber-sealed pistons which push the brake shoes into the drum and cause the friction used to stop your vehicle.
When should I have my brake fluid changed?
Having your brake fluid changed varies depending on the vehicle but the general recommended time is every two to five years. Some ways you can know your brakes should be changed are:
Why are my brakes making a grinding noise when I brake?
There are two major reasons why your brakes might be making a grinding noise. One is that your brake pads could be so worn down that metal is grinding against the metal of the brake rotors. The second is something could be caught in your brake caliper, this most likely would cause a constant grinding and not just when braking. In either case, you should bring your vehicle to the closest Ramona Tire for immediate brake service. Also be sure to check our coupons page for promotions and ways to save on all of our auto services.Why do brake pads need replacement?
Every time you stop your brake pads or shoes lose a little bit of the friction material they use to stop. After all this material is used up, they can no longer cause the friction they need to stop your vehicle. This is one reason your brakes need to be regularly checked even if they are working fine at that moment.