Brakes 101: Answering Your Top Questions | Auto Dealership

You may be driving down West Ridge Road and notice that something feels a bit off with your vehicle. Your car may be making a grinding sound, or it may be slow to come to a complete stop. This usually signals that something is amiss with your brakes, and this type of issue needs to be addressed as soon as possible. When your brakes aren’t working as they should, not only do you run the risk of getting into an accident and injuring yourself, but you also put other travelers in danger. If you’re searching for brake service near Greece, Ralph Honda can help with our skilled and knowledgeable professionals and cutting-edge service center. When it comes to your brakes, you may have some questions, which is why we’re here to answer some of the most commonly asked queries regarding brake issues.

In a disc brake system, rotors are used to help your vehicle come to a stop. The brake pads compress against the rotors, generating friction and thus helping you stop safely. Over time, your rotors will wear, and they’ll give you telltale signs that something is wrong as you make your way to Greece Canal Park with the kids. You’ll likely notice a groaning sound when you press the brake pedal, which can also feel a bit off, vibrating against your foot. If the front rotors are the issue, you may notice your steering wheel vibrating side to side. Any squealing or grinding noises can signify that something is amiss with your rotors, and this is a great time to take your vehicle in for service to diagnose the severity of the issue.

If your brake pads are the issue, you’ll most likely notice squealing and grinding noises when you use the brakes. This is due to metal-on-metal contact as the brake pads wear out. You may also notice that coming to a stop takes a bit longer than usual since these worn-down pads aren’t able to do their job as efficiently as newer brake pads. Your brake pedal may also kick back a bit when you press down on it, often producing a vibrating feeling when engaged. If you notice that your vehicle is slightly pulling to one side or the other, you may be experiencing worn pads only on one side of the vehicle. Regardless, if you experience any of these issues, it’s time to get your vehicle checked out.

Typically, brake pads go bad first, as they are made out of a much softer material than the iron rotors. Over time, this constant wear and tear will impact your brake pads’ ability to do their job. You may need to replace them every 30,000 miles if you spend a lot of time driving in stop-and-go traffic around Rochester. However, they can last about 80,000 miles if you mainly drive on the highway. You don’t necessarily have to replace the rotors when you replace the brake pads. Your service technician will let you know what needs to be replaced, which is why it pays to partner with our service center and highly trained professionals who will watch out for your safety on the streets.

Otherwise known as spongy brakes, your brake pedal can sometimes feel soft when you press it, and no, you’re not imagining it—there’s a reason for this. Your brake system includes brake fluid coursing through it that creates pressure to help your vehicle stop. When this fluid needs to be replaced, your brake pedal can feel soft when you press down on it. The fluid may be leaking, so it’s important for you to take your vehicle in for service to discern whether or not this is the issue.

A soft brake pedal may also be due to wear and tear of the brake hoses, and this can be diagnosed by simply having your tech check the hoses to see if they appear swollen or worn. Another common culprit is air in your brake system, which can be a result of your brake calipers overheating, which, in turn, overheats the brake fluid. The air that escapes through this process can get into brake lines and cause your brake fluid to work inefficiently, thus resulting in that spongy feeling when you engage the brake pedal.

You may have a nightmare that you’re cruising through Greece on your way to Ridgemont Plaza, and when you press down on your brake pedal, it goes straight to the floor, and your vehicle refuses to stop. This can’t happen in real life, can it? In fact, it can, which is why it’s important to keep up with routine maintenance and never ignore the warning signs your vehicle is trying to give to you. Rarely does total brake failure happen out of the blue. You will most likely notice sounds coming from your brakes or difficulty coming to a complete stop well before your brakes fail entirely. This is why the moment you notice anything amiss with your brakes, you will want to head to our service center to get it checked out.

We know that brake pads will need to be replaced about every 30,000 to 80,000 miles, depending on your driving habits, but what about your rotors? Since the brake pads take the brunt of the wear and tear during transit, brake rotors tend to fare better here. Depending on your driving habits, rotors will usually need to be replaced every other time you replace the pads. However, for those who frequently traverse bustling city streets, having to stop and go every other minute, your rotors may need to be replaced prior to this. Being sensitive to the sounds and sensations of your vehicle will alert you to when it’s time to replace these very important braking components.

If there’s anything that’s out of the ordinary with your braking system, it’s imperative that you get it fixed right away. Driving on bad rotors is a very dangerous decision, as this can affect how easy it is for your vehicle to stop. Bad rotors can cause your vehicle to take longer to stop, which can be a problem when someone stops suddenly in front of you. If you notice the telltale signs we mentioned earlier of bad rotors, it’s time to get your vehicle serviced so that you can remedy the issue before it becomes a big problem.

When it comes to your brakes, you never want to leave anything to chance. If you’re driving through Greece and notice something not quite right with your vehicle’s braking system, it’s important to get your vehicle examined so that you can have the issue diagnosed and a solution underway. This way, you’re able to travel with assurance, no matter where our streets take you. From trips to Seneca Park Zoo with the kids to drives to Rochester for work, your vehicle needs to operate properly so that you, as well as everyone traveling around you, can remain safe as you make your way to your next destination.