If you need break repair in Santa Fe, NM, get more information here.

We weren’t there when Henry Ford invented the Model T. But I tend to think that after he solved the riddle of how to make several tons of metal zip down the road, his next thought was, “How do we make it stop?” It is hard to imagine a more important safety feature than brakes, yet they tend to be neglected a lot more than seatbelts are. You don’t need to be an auto mechanic to know the warning signs of a possible braking problem. Simply educating yourself can prevent costly brake repairs or unnecessary accidents.  

A typical brake pad is made to last about 50,000 miles on a mid-size vehicle. However, we have encountered cases where the pads can be worn down by 30,000 miles, or last up to 65,000. These results are all dependent on different factors, and knowing about them can help you determine how many miles you can expect to get out of your pads:

• Driving Styles – Do you tend to tailgate other drivers on the road, causing you to hit your brakes often and abruptly? Or, do you hang back, giving yourself space to come to a slow, rolling stop? While it is sometimes necessary, slamming hard on your brakes runs the risk of warping your rotors and will wear down your pads more quickly. Not to mention the fact that  driving that close to someone’s bumper can trigger road rage, or cause a rear-end collision.
• Brake Pad Quality – Brake pads can be made out of several different materials, each one meant for a different type of vehicle or driving style. High-performance vehicles tend to use a carbon ceramic pad that can last much longer than its counterparts, but is also very expensive. Other brake pad models are typically made of steel or other metals more appropriate for everyday driving, and they’re less expensive, but they do wear out more quickly.
• Driving Location – When driving in high-traffic areas, it’s necessary to brake more often. Stopping for red lights, traffic jams, and pedestrians can stress brake pads. The mountainous roads around Santa Fe can cause the same problems, as drivers are often forced to ride the brakes as they reach downhill portions of the road. This can often heat the brakes to above optimal temperatures, causing them to wear more quickly, and can damage your rotors as well. To avoid this, try shifting to a lower gear as you reach these downhill sections of the road.

Even if you follow the above advice, your brake pads or rotors won’t last forever. You’re still going to have to get them replaced at some point if you want to continue driving safely. Most brake-related problems are easily identified if you know what to look or listen for. So, we at Master Tech have put together a list of some telltale signs that it might be time to have your brakes replaced.

• Does your brake pedal go all the way to the floor, or feel soft and mushy?  This is an indicator that there is air in your brake line, or a possible leak. A slow leak over time can lead to a complete failure of your braking system later on and needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
• Does the car pull left or right, even while you are not braking? – While this will not always be a problem with the braking system, it could be the result of a stuck caliper, keeping your brake pad permanently engaged with your rotor. If left unfixed, this will damage your brake pad, rotor, and caliper, making your repairs more costly.
• What is that squeaking and squealing when I brake? – Most brake pads include a wear indicator, which will begin making a noise when the brake pad starts reaching significant levels of wear. When you hear this noise, it is your brake pads’ way of saying, “Replace me now!”
• Do you experience vibrating while braking? – This is typically a sign that your rotors have been warped. Warped rotors can be fixed by grinding them flat again, or simply by replacing them altogether. Either way, they will need to be fixed, as they can keep your car from stopping efficiently.

If you experience any of these symptoms, or you are still unsure about the health of your brake system, bring your car into Master Tech Auto today. We will run a full inspection of your entire vehicle, including the braking system, to ensure that you and your vehicle are as safe as possible.