Does Your Toyota Need a Brake Repair?

Most drivers don’t fully realize the importance of their brakes until they experience a problem braking. A sudden sponginess or sluggishness to your brakes can be a terrifying experience, let alone complete brake failure. Fortunately, Toyota brakes are extremely reliable and rarely run into trouble as long as they’re well-maintained. If you ever notice any of the following warning signs, visit your local Toyota dealer for brake repair before it develops into something more serious.

Squealing Brake Pads

Brake pads clamp onto the rotor discs to slow your vehicle every time you press the brake pedal. These pads wear down a little more each time you use them. Depending on how much you brake when you drive, you’ll usually need to replace your pads every 20,000 to 40,000 miles.

When the upper friction layer of a brake pad gets too thin, there’s a small metal strip inside that’s designed to make a noise. You’ll start hearing a loud squealing sound indicating it’s time for some new pads.

Pulsating Rotor Discs

The sturdy rotor discs in your brakes are usually made of cast iron. It’s very hard to damage a rotor disc, but when overheated from excessive use, a disc can sometimes become scored, warped, or smeared by melted resin from the brake pad.

When this happens, you’ll often feel a pulsating vibration through the pedal when braking. A damaged rotor can sometimes be rescued with a little skillful resurfacing. But more often than not, you’ll need a new disc.

Less Braking Power

Overheating occurs when brakes are used continuously for prolonged periods of time. This build-up of friction can cause the components of your braking mechanisms to reach a staggering 600 or 700 degrees.

So much heat causes the resin in brake pads to melt, which leads to brake fade: a sudden loss in braking power. If you ever experience brake fade, pump the brakes as much as necessary to slow down. Pull over at once and allow your brakes to cool down.

Spongy Braking

When you depress the brake pedal, the signal and force are carried along the brake hoses to the calipers at each wheel. Inside the hoses is brake fluid, which maintains hydraulic pressure, allowing your foot to exert enough power to stop your car.

If one of your brake hoses starts to leak fluid, the hydraulic pressure is diminished for that braking mechanism. Sometimes this can affect all the brakes at once. Never drive if you suspect a brake fluid leak.

Schedule Brake Servicing at Your Local Toyota Dealer

Most Toyota drivers have their brakes serviced every six months. This coincides nicely with the recommended frequency for oil changes. If you drive a lot in heavy traffic or along mountainous roads, you probably use your brakes more than usual, and so you should have them checked more often. Regular brake servicing is the key to long-term brake health.

Visit Toyota of Muncie today to have your brakes examined or repaired. For fifteen years, we’ve been providing the local drivers of Muncie and the surrounding region with top-notch vehicles and customer service.

Image courtesy of Toyota

Tags: auto repair, auto service, brake repair, brakes, Muncie IN, Toyota, Toyota dealer, Toyota dealership
Posted in Muncie Toyota Service | No Comments »