How Often Should You Get Brake Maintenance?

Your brakes, like every other part and system in your vehicle, need to undergo regular maintenance to stay in good shape for an extended period of time. You should make it a priority to occasionally check your brakes for wear and tear, which will help you determine whether or not those parts need to be replaced.

Exactly how frequently will you need to seek out brake maintenance in Chino, CA? Here are just a few factors you’ll need to take into consideration.

Regular inspections

There isn’t as strict a schedule for brake replacement as there is for other parts in your vehicle, so the onus is on you to make sure you’re routinely inspecting your brakes, especially if you start to notice any unusual noises. A good general rule is to have your brakes inspected by a professional every time you rotate your tires, which should be about every six months. This will give you a reliable update as to how worn down the brake pads are, and what sort of condition the other brake parts are in.

The clear warning signs you need to watch for are squeaks, grinding noises, squeals or any other strange noises that occur specifically while you’re applying the brakes. You might also feel strange vibrations or a noticeable pulsing over the course of longer stopping distances. In some vehicles, there will be a warning light that goes on if you are low on brake fluid, but you will not necessarily get the same sort of warning if your brake pads have reached an unsafe level.

What to expect out of your brakes

The amount of time it takes for your brake pads to wear down will really depend on your driving habits—not just how frequently and how far you drive, but the kinds of conditions in which you most commonly operate your vehicle. If most of your driving time is out on open highways in rural areas that don’t require you to stop frequently, then your brakes will probably last longer than they might if you were in a heavily trafficked urban area with lots of stop signs and traffic lights.

This is one of the reasons why it’s difficult for auto manufacturers to recommend specific intervals for brake replacement—the amount of time it takes for the pads to wear down will vary widely from person to person based on their own individual driving habits.

As we previously mentioned, your best bet will always be to have a professional take a look at the condition of your brakes while your vehicle is getting other service, whether it be a tire rotation, an oil change or any other kind of maintenance work.

For more information about what you need to know about brake maintenance, or for additional brake service tips in Chino, CA, we encourage you to contact the team at Gabriel’s Automotive & Towing. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have about your vehicle, and we look forward to assisting you with anything your vehicle might require!

Categorised in: Brake Repair

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