A Primer on Brakes.

Most cars, trucks and SUVs on the road today have disc brakes. All new Hyundai vehicles come equipped with that type of brake. Unless the vehicle you are driving is older, you can be pretty certain it uses disc brakes, too. 

Disc brakes begin working when the brake pedal is pressed. At that point, a set of calipers, which are equipped with pads, squeezes a rotor, which is the actual disc. If you’re curious, you can actually see part of the brake mechanism through your hubcaps. The pads create friction with the rotor, and it’s this friction that causes your vehicle to slow down. Because it’s a hydraulic system, it depends on a consistent flow of brake fluid. The entire system can fail if even one of these parts isn't working correctly. 

Most brake issues, though, are a result of worn-down pads. Brake pads should be at least a quarter of an inch thick. Over time, the pads will wear down, so you'll want to pay close attention to their condition and thickness. The good news is that pads are fairly inexpensive and easy to replace. On the other hand, if they're not changed when they need to be, this can damage the rotor, and repairing or replacing a rotor is much more involved and pricey.

Location Matters.

Where and how you drive affects the condition of your brakes. Heavy traffic has more of an impact on your brakes, as congested areas require a lot more stopping, starting, slowing and veering. Those actions engage your brakes frequently, which means they'll wear down sooner than if you’re mostly driving in a rural or otherwise less congested area. Because of this, they'll also probably need servicing sooner.

A good practice is to get your brakes checked when you have your tires rotated, preferably every six months. If you are an aggressive driver, you should probably have them checked more often than that, for example, with every oil change. In addition, pay attention to your brakes between your regular servicing intervals.

Warning Signs.

If your brake light on the dashboard lights up, it’s time to have your brakes checked out. If you notice that it takes longer to slow or come to a stop, you should have them checked out as soon as possible. If you feel a vibrating sensation or a light shaking when applying your brakes, it’s probably due to a brake pad issue.

Most brakes are designed with a built-in indicator that squeals or screeches when the pads are wearing thin. That metal-on-metal sound, which is intentionally grating, means your pads have worn down completely and your calipers are now pressing against your rotors whenever you hit the brake pedal. The sound may be annoying, but this warning lets you know to get your brakes fixed before they lead to more problems — and it can save you a lot of money down the road!

Be Smart. Be Vigilant. Be Safe.

Hyundai of North Charleston is committed to offering an incredible selection of new and used Hyundai models. We’re also committed to providing our customers with excellent customer service and a professional service department. We want to help keep you and your loved ones safe wherever the road takes you — and that includes making sure your brakes are working properly. No matter what issue you may be having with your car, we’ve got you covered!