Your brakes perform in winter like hockey players: a few moments of rest followed by extreme exertion. Let’s review how you can make this winterly wear and tear easier on your braking system.
That dirt you might see on the back of each car on the highway? It can get into your brakes. Road salt? Same. And don’t forget the freeze-thaw cycle of winter in many Canadian cities, too. It can leave moisture in your brake fluid.
Just like hockey players regularly maintain their blades so they can stop on command, your brakes need proper maintenance to deliver reliable stopping power.
These base components comprise your braking system:
Winter weather, with its ice and snow, forces you to use your brakes more often than in summer. This speeds up wear and can deposit water in your brake fluid, giving you that “spongy” feel in your pedal. In addition, cold temperatures affect how quickly your brakes respond to slow you down.
Your winter tires provide the season-specific grip on snowy and icy roads, and your brakes provide the stopping power. Add ABS (anti-lock braking system), and your ability to stop without your tires turning your car into a two-tonne toboggan increases dramatically.
When you slam on the brakes, ABS activates and pulses many times per second to bring your vehicle to a stop. This pulsing helps you avoid sliding. Winter tires support safer braking by funnelling snow and slush through their specialized treads.
Without these three systems working in unison, you’ll take longer to stop the vehicle. Sometimes, you won’t have that opportunity.
Because ABS rapidly modulates brake pressure many times per second, worn brake pads, fluid mixed with water, and warped rotors affect its function. Without ABS brakes, one or more tires can lock when you hit the brake pedal, possibly causing the following difficulties over time:
Remember, though, that despite the convenience and increased safety of ABS, only use it for emergency situations, not to accommodate a strong need for speed.
When you turn on your vehicle, it will run a self-diagnostic test on the ABS system. Should you see a warning light on your dashboard that your ABS has a fault, take that seriously and have your vehicle inspected. If your car detects a problem with the ABS, it’ll disconnect it, potentially making driving more difficult for you.
Most consumer vehicles on the road weigh 1.5–2 tonnes. Some, like larger trucks, will weigh over 2.5 tonnes. An issue with your braking system will eventually create a dangerous situation for you and potentially anyone around you.
At NAPA AUTOPRO, our friendly automotive technicians offer comprehensive braking services such as brake inspections, brake fluid changes, and brake pad, rotor, and caliper replacements when needed. Find your local NAPA AUTOPRO service centre.
