While we at Mount Airy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat always want you to be able to be on the go, we know that there’s something perhaps even more important — the ability to stop!
Your cars’ brakes may be easy to take for granted as long as they’re quiet and still. But once your brakes start to go, not only will shutters and squeals impact your driving experience your safety and the safety of those around you comes into question.
Mount Airy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat believes that your brakes are one of the most important maintenance concerns to stay on top of with your car. There are two important components – your brake pads and brake rotors. During your regularly scheduled maintenance and service appointments, our qualified service technicians will inspect, and if necessary, suggest maintenance procedures to help prevent potential brake problems in the first place.
There are two types of car brakes: disc brakes and drum brakes. Both disc brakes and drum brakes work by using friction and resistance to convert kinetic energy into heat energy.
Have you ever been in the situation that a tractor-trailer truck has been traveling down a steep road and seen smoke or smelled something strange? That is a great example of energy conversion. Applying pressure to the moving truck’s turning rotors by applying the brakes creates friction and slows the rotors’ rotation thus slowing the truck. Friction creates heat — just like when you rub your hands together to warm them up on a cold day. That heat is why you see big trucks with smoking and burning brakes! While speed does play a factor, just think about how it would take you more effort to stop a bowling ball rolling down a hill versus a tiny marble rolling down that same hill.
Brakes use a hydraulic system that uses fluid to create pressure and press the brake pads against the rotors. Drum brakes work the same way, where brake shoes press against the drum. All cars have four brakes – two rear brakes and two front brakes. In most cars, front brakes are primarily responsible for halting your vehicle and provide 60% to 90% of the vehicle’s stopping power.
New brakes have a stopping surface that is typically 8 to 12 mm thick. When those pads wear down to 4 mm or less, it is time to replace them. Not replacing your brake pads and letting them continue to wear down will cause subsequent damage to your vehicle’s rotors and calipers.
During your regularly scheduled maintenance and service appointments at Mount Airy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat, our qualified service technicians will inspect, and if necessary, suggest maintenance procedures to help prevent potential brake problems in the first place.
Brakes are an essential component of safety in any vehicle, but have you ever wondered how your brakes work?
If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, it’s time to see our service department as soon as possible!
Mount Airy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat is here to keep you safe no matter what kind of vehicle you drive. Visit our Service Specials and Mopar Coupons for opportunities to save on your brake system and other maintenance. Bring in our coupon for a free brake inspection and look for other offers like a free alignment with the purchase of two or more tires.
You can Schedule a Service Online or call us at 336.429.5910.
