Your Car Brakes And Vehicle Braking System: More Than Just Brake Pads.

Brakes are among the many important components of your car. They are not just parts-they are your safety system. No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, there's a lot riding on your car brakes. Understanding what they do will help you take the best care possible, meaning safe driving, and avoiding accidents. In this video, Hillside Tire and Service shows how the different parts of your car's brake system work together for safe driving.

In a disc brake system, think of a bicycle. When you apply the brake handle, it squeezes those small pads around the bike wheel rim, and slows you down. In a car. the wheel is attached to a smooth metal disc, called a rotor, that spins with the axle. Each disc brake has two pads, one on each side. When you press the brake pedal, the pads clamp down on the rotor and slow its rotation.

Brakes Are A System-Not Just Pads
When you step on the brake pedal, you are actually putting into operation 6 different system components:

• Brake Lines
• Brake Master Cylinder
• Brake cables
• Brake calipers
• Brake Sensors
• Brake Fluid System

A complete brake system check is essential when you replace any brake part, and periodic brake system checks is a great way to prevent unnecessary problems from arising later.

Just like bike brake pads, car brake pads wear down over time. Don't wait until you hear those distressing sounds. The brakes are already in very bad shape once you start hearing grinding, clanking or squealing sounds. If the surface is worn down enough the pads won't be able to grip the rotor properly, which makes them less effective.  It can also mean damage to the brake rotors, which can also be an added expense. If the pads become worn down to the point that bare metal is scraping and scratching the rotor's surface, you may end up paying for a new rotor.

Most of your stopping power comes from the front wheels-as much as 85% of the braking is done in the front. That means front brakes are replaced about 4 times as much as your rear brakes. So disc brakes will always need periodic checking and/or replacement. However, you can still use a few tricks to keep your brakes in good condition and extend their usefulness.

• Don't ride the brake pedal, use it only when you need it.
• Try not to keep the brake pedal pressed down when stopped.
• For manual transmissions, instead of braking all the way down from freeway speed, try downshifting instead.

At Hillside Tire and Service, we are your brake experts for all makes and models. Come in to any of our 5 Salt Lake Valley tire stores: Salt Lake City (Cottonwood Heights), West Valley City, West Jordan, Sandy or Draper, and we will check your Braking System-at no charge! See us also for tires (we have tire discounts from manufacturer factory rebate specials going on right now), alignments, oil changes, inspections, emissions, and complete auto repair services.