Today’s The Auto Guys post focuses on brakes. Braking is slowing or stopping a vehicle. The mechanical aspects of the brakes themselves are just one issue. There’s also the power brake system and brake fluid. And then there are the tires, which are critical to the effectiveness of the brakes.

Let’s step back. A car or truck rolls brand new off the showroom floor. It has brand new brakes with brand new brake pads. The brake lines and the power assist are filled with fresh fluid and are completely clean inside. And the tires are brand new, with full tread.

Naturally, braking power is at its peak performance.

Now the kilometers driven between destinations start to add up. At this point, St. Thomas drivers tend to focus on the brake pads. In the automotive industry, the pads, and shoes on drum brakes, are called the friction material. That’s because they provide the friction used to stop the vehicle. The pads are designed to be effective throughout their useful life and it’s not until they are worn so thin as to be out of spec that they lose stopping effectiveness.

The mechanical parts of the brakes have pistons and springs that get quite a workout while stopping the vehicle. Over many kilometers, these wear and get gummed up. They start to lose effectiveness gradually and could even fail. That’s why a regular brake inspection is important. At The Auto Guys in St. Thomas, your service advisor can test the operation of the brakes and see if any parts need cleaning or replacing.

That leads us to brake fluid service at The Auto Guys. Some of the critical additives in the fluid that lubricate and clean the fluid system are depleted over time. That and moisture building up in the system deteriorate the performance of the brake fluid. Flushing the brake system cleans out deposits, water and dirt. Then the system is filled up with fresh fluid.

The tires are what connect the vehicle to the road. The stopping force is ultimately dependent on the traction provided by the tires. The better they grip the road, the quicker you’ll stop.

Stop by or give us a call.
The Auto Guys
135 South Edgeware Rd.
St. Thomas, ON N5P 4C4
519.631.7117