Automotive safety technology has come a long way. Now, cars have a whole suite of safety systems that help save not only the occupants, but the pedestrians and other motorists, as well.
Things such as multiple Airbags that cushion the occupants in the event of a crash, Collision Mitigation which prevents or reduces the impact of collisions, Lane Keep Assist which prevents unintentional lane-change, and more automotive safety tech are now being implemented as standard in many cars today. It’s cool to realize that all these stem through the decades from the era of just simple things like seat belts and brakes.
But wait a sec… Have you checked your brake system’s condition, lately? Yes? No?
Well, here’s the thing; whether it’s dry season or wet season, your brakes need more tender loving care because, next to your tires which you EQUALLY have to take good care of, the brakes help your car stop in time to evade or prevent an impact. But how do you know when it’s time to have your brakes serviced?
You could road test and see if the car stops gradually or quickly. If it does, then okay. But as a responsible driver or car owner, you need to go beyond “Pwede na (That’s good enough)” and to be on top of the vehicle’s condition. Good thing your machine can give you a heads up on that. Case in point, here are some signs your ride gives you when it’s time for a brake system service.
Vibration – When you apply the brakes and the car exhibits weird shaking or vibration, it could mean the drums or discs which the brake pads grind on are chipped or damaged. This can happen due to natural wear and tear or excessive use that introduces more heat and friction.
Brake pull/imbalance – This occurs when the car pulls into one side when the brakes are applied. Things such as uneven brake pad wear, stuck brake calipers, or damaged brake hose are the common probable causes.
Excessively responsive braking – An over-sensitive braking happens when you just very slightly dab on the brake pedal, and the car violently moves or screeches to a stop. Most probably, the components such as the calipers, pads, drums, or discs are misaligned, unevenly worn out, or in need of proper professional cleaning.
Weak sensitivity braking – This is the opposite of overly sensitive brakes. When you step on it but the vehicle takes a bit longer to respond, or when you exert more effort in applying the brakes. Common causes could be damaged brake hoses or brake fluid leak.
Noisy brakes – A very common telltale sign of the brakes in need of servicing. When the brakes are applied and a loud, squealing noise is heard, it could mean that the brake pads are depleted.
Aside from these common signs, many cars now have a Brake Warning Indicator Light on the instrument panel. You should be able to see this light up when the car’s systems detect abnormalities in the braking system.
And here’s a helpful habit. If you’re keeping tabs on your ride’s service record, you should be able to monitor its Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) schedule. With this you will be a step ahead in preventing unnecessary brake system issues.
Automotive safety technology has come a long way. Now, cars have a whole suite of safety systems that help save not only the occupants, but the pedestrians and other motorists, as well. With all the computerized everything that’s built into many cars today, vehicle safety has leveled up to the point of it being taken for granted because many drivers assume that these are automatic and won’t fail. But what if they do? What if the outcome of an incident on the road hinges on whether the car has properly or poorly maintained brakes?
Never take for granted the importance of the braking system and its condition, no matter how high-tech or classic your vehicle may be.
