Brakes play a critical and potentially life-saving role in any vehicle, which is why it’s important to get them checked regularly. They can spare you and your passengers from collisions and allow you to navigate unforeseen obstacles in split seconds. Being able to rely on your brake system is fundamental to being safe on the road.

‘I’m Hearing this Grinding Noise’: How to Know When Your Brakes Need to be Checked

Noises are a good indicator that it’s time to take your car in. Customers will tell us things like ‘It sounds like there’s something in my wheel’ or ‘I’m hearing this grinding noise and I don’t know where it’s coming from.’ Odds are, your brake pads need replacing. If you’re noticing that your brake pedal sometimes goes directly to the floor, that’s also a pretty clear sign that something’s wrong, probably with your wheel cylinder, caliper, or master cylinder.

In either case or if you’re not getting the stopping power you need, it’s time for an assessment. No matter what type of vehicle you drive, we have the experience and knowledge to find the best solution for you.

Prevention is the Best Medicine: Spot Checks with Every Oil Change

Prevention is the best medicine, and at JK Autoworks, every time we do an oil change we’ll also perform a spot check on your brakes and let you know where things stand. We’ll not only tell you verbally, we’ll write the information directly on your invoice as a visual reminder.  Our goal is to make you more aware of your car and how to keep it functioning smoothly so you can stay safe on the road.

Problems with brakes tend to fall into a few specific categories. When we examine your vehicle, here are a few of the areas we’ll be inspecting:

• Calipers: If your brakes have worn down over time to unsafe levels, your calipers can start to stick. We can assess the integrity of your calipers and provide you with replacements if and when yours stop functioning properly.
• Pads: Your pads are going to wear over time and need to be replaced at regular intervals to ensure you’ve got the stopping power needed when you hit the brakes. We’re happy to provide pad replacements and can help you assess when the time for a replacement is at hand.
• Rotors: Over time your vehicle will need new rotors to ensure the function and integrity of its braking system. We can change out your rotors to provide the optimal function to your brakes, giving you a gamut of options that include slotted and drilled rotors for ideal performance.
• Lines: When you step on the brake pedal does it feel mushy? Do you find yourself putting the pedal to the floor while trying to brake gradually? These symptoms can mean air in the brake line, which will need to be bled to ensure proper function. We can also assist with brake fluid flushes for smooth braking function.

Whatever the issue, we can help, even if it’s something as simple as checking your fluid levels. Knowing that your brakes are healthy will allow you to drive away with peace of mind. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (360) 446-1488.