Your brakes are your vehicle’s most important safety feature, so you should make it a point to stay up on your brake maintenance in Corpus Christi, TX. Not only will it keep you, your passengers and everyone else on the road safe, but it will also extend your vehicle’s lifespan and improve its performance. If you’re handy with a car, you may be able to do most of this maintenance yourself, but bringing your car to a good auto shop is always the best option.

Here are the five key factors in brake maintenance:

  • Check your brake pads and rotors: Your brake pads and rotors are responsible for creating the friction that stops the wheels. That means they wear out a lot faster than other brake parts. To check on your brake pads or rotors, remove your tires and look for wear and tear. If you see any, take your brakes into the shop as soon as possible. You should also plan to go in when you have to press on the brake harder than normal or smell burning odors while braking.
  • Flush your brake fluid on schedule: Like all of your vehicle’s fluids, you must replace your brake fluid regularly. Brake fluid is responsible for creating the pressure that helps the calipers squeeze the rotors, so it needs to be in good shape (and in the right volume) at all times. If the fluid appears milky or cloudy—or it’s been 25,000 miles since the last flush—you’ll need to take your brakes in to get flushed. This will prevent outside moisture from getting into your brake fluid, which affects its performance.
  • Make regular replacements or upgrades: If parts of your brakes are worn out, you’ll need to replace them. This is actually a great time to consider upgrading to specialized parts. For example, ceramic brake pads or heat-resistant slotted disc brakes can make a huge difference in your vehicle’s performance. Ask your brake technicians what they recommend when it’s time to replace or upgrade your parts.
  • Bleed your brake lines regularly: In addition to flushing brake fluid on a regular schedule, you should also bleed your brake lines. Bleeding your brake lines simply means removing excess air from the lines. All you have to do is press the brake pedal while adjusting the bleeder valve. Getting rid of excess air ensures your brakes remain responsive and effective.
  • Stay aware of external factors that contribute to deterioration: Finally, understand what external factors affect brake deterioration and avoid them whenever possible. For example, wet weather, overloading your car or truck and braking hard can all take a toll on your brake system. Avoid these conditions whenever possible to extend your brake system’s lifespan.

Keeping your brakes in good shape is easy when you work with a brake repair shop in Corpus Christi, TX like Coastal Diesel Injection. Our technicians can flush and bleed your brakes, repair parts and more. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment for your vehicle.