service notes

Brakes

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Description: Your car’s brakes use a hydraulic system, including:

When you push on the brake pedal, the force of your leg generates hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder, which then flows through the hydraulic lines and hoses to the wheel cylinders and calipers. The hydraulic force applies pressure through the wheel cylinders and calipers, forcing the brake shoes against the drums (drum brakes) and the pads against the rotors (disc brakes). Cars and light trucks also have a parking brake, which mechanically activates the rear brakes of the vehicle through a cable. This is also sometimes referred to as the emergency brake. brake hydraulic system

In the early 1960’s, cars began using split hydraulic systems and tandem master cylinders. Essentially, this divided the hydraulic system into two separate systems (front and back), ensuring proper hydraulic and braking on one side of the system, if a leak developed on the other side. In the 1980’s, some carmakers began to use diagonally split systems, which took safety a step further. Instead of splitting the system into front and rear, the system was now hydraulically divided into left-rear/right-front and right-rear/left-front. By maintaining one front and one rear brake, the result is more balanced braking when the system develops a leak. By law, all of today’s cars are required to use some type of hydraulically split system.

Purpose: The brake system absorbs the energy of the moving car and converts it into heat. Proper brake operation is critical to the safety of your car. Brake safety has increased even further due to the widespread use of antilock brakes (ABS).

Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Have your car’s brakes inspected annually to make sure everything’s OK. It’s always best to be able to plan ahead for brake work by knowing brake condition as your car ages. Brakes are a normal wear item for any car, so sooner or later they’re going to need replacement.

Brake Fluid should be flushed and replaced every two years or 24,000 miles. Hydraulic Fluid in the typical vehicle can become contaminated in two years or less. Moisture creates an extra problem for owners of vehicles equipped with anti-lock braking (ABS) systems. Rusted and corroded ABS components are very expensive to replace. A pulsating brake pedal is a symptoms of ABS not functioning. On cars with ABS, if the BRAKE, ANTILOCK or ABS light on the instrument panel stays on or flashes, or comes on while driving, it indicates a fault in the ABS system. the If your car exhibits any of these symptoms, have it checked out by a qualified technician as soon as possible.

For a Dependable Motor Vehicle
visit us in the Redwood Auto Care Center
Across the street from the Skyview Drive-In

2335 Soquel Drive
Santa Cruz CA 95065
831-462-4436
Monday-Friday/8:00 am-5:00 pm