Modern society is built on assumptions. We assume the light will turn on when we flip the switch; we assume water will come out when we turn on the tap; we assume that our car will slow and stop when we press the brake pedal. When all of those assumptions work properly, everything is fine, but when something no longer works correctly, then you can find yourself in a bad situation. Losing power or water is bad enough, but finding out that your brakes are not working properly while flying along at 60 mph on the freeway can be catastrophic. That is why it is so important that you make sure your brakes are inspected, serviced, and replaced as needed to keep them working correctly.
If you are looking for brake service in Charlotte, then you have come to the right place, as we have a number of locations ready to help you with everything you need. Whether it is time for a routine inspection or your brakes have started feeling softer and not responding as promptly as you would like, we can take a look and make sure your vehicle is in the best shape possible. Few things are scarier than discovering you have a problem with your brakes when you need them to work, which is why we are here to help you stay ahead of things and ensure your brakes are working properly. You can schedule service at one of our dealerships today, and we will have you back on the road in no time.
How Important Is Brake Maintenance?
As you can see from the scenario described above, proper brake maintenance is incredibly important and one of the most vital types of service your vehicle requires. When you are driving around Charlotte, you need to know that your vehicle will respond to all of your actions with promptness and accuracy. Steering is an important part of this, of course, as is acceleration, but the ability for your vehicle to promptly slow down and come to a stop when you need it can mean the difference between getting home safely and finding yourself in a collision. That is why we are here to help.
The simplest-but arguably most important-type of brake service we provide is a brake inspection, which should be performed on a set schedule based on your vehicle. Every manufacturer provides guidance for service intervals on their models, which includes things like changing your oil, rotating your tires, and more. Along with these other tasks, your brakes should be checked or inspected regularly to make sure they still look good. This is important because it lets you get ahead of issues and replace your brakes when they start to wear out rather than wait for them to reach a dangerous point.
Along with routine inspections, we can provide other kinds of service to ensure you have brakes you can count on. This includes things like checking your brake lines, replacing your brake fluid, and replacing the brake pads. We know that this kind of maintenance is not something most Charlotte car owners look forward to, and it can be an unexpected expense and hassle. Ultimately, however, it is much better to pay for a new set of brakes on your vehicle than to get into a collision due to your brakes failing; that will cost you a lot more and could be potentially fatal.
Different Parts of Brakes We Service
Although you do not need to be an auto mechanic to understand the kind of service your vehicle needs, we find it helps to know as much as possible about your vehicle. That way, when one of our service technicians tells you the kind of maintenance that needs to be performed, you understand exactly what they are saying. So, let's briefly go over some of the main parts that make up your brakes and see how they work...
- Brake Rotors: Most vehicles have disc brakes on the front or all four wheels, which feature rotors. The rotor is the disc that is pressed upon by the pads to slow down and stop your vehicle.
- Brake Pads: In disc brake systems, the pads are the part of the brakes that press against the rotor to slow it down or bring it to a stop. Since the pads and rotors both take a lot of abuse, they need to be checked on a regular basis.
- Brake Drums: Some vehicles have drum brakes on the rear wheels, which utilize a drum rather than a disc. The drum is pressed on from the inside to slow down and stop the vehicle.
- Brake Shoes: For vehicles with drum brakes, the shoes are the part of the brake system that presses against the inside of the drum to slow down and stop. The shoes endure a lot of friction and heat, so they should be checked and replaced as needed.
- Brake Fluid: Car brakes work by using hydraulic pressure to amplify the amount of force you apply when you press the brake pedal. The brake fluid creates that hydraulic pressure and ensures there is enough force to stop your vehicle.
- Brake Line: The brake line on your vehicle refers to all the small tubes that brake fluid runs through from the brake master cylinder out to the brakes at the wheels. A problem with your brake line means you can lose pressure and braking becomes more difficult.
- ABS Control Module: If your vehicle has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), then there is an ABS control module that ensures the system is working properly and controls how braking pressure is sent to your wheels to keep them from locking up. A problem with this module can mean your brakes do not work properly or will feel off.
- Brake Master Cylinder: This is responsible for turning the force of your foot on the brake pedal into hydraulic pressure sent through the brake line to other cylinders at the wheels of your car. If something goes wrong with it, then the rest of your brake system might not work properly.
If any of these components go awry, your brakes might not work when you need them to. That is why it is so important you let us inspect your vehicle's brake system to check the condition of these various parts. Like your tires, these are not things you can easily see when approaching your vehicle, so it is vital that you let a trained professional make sure your car runs properly.
Brake Service for Most Makes and Models
We are pleased to be able to offer a wide range of vehicles and brands at our dealerships, which means we know many different types of cars inside and out. If you prefer to go to a shop that specializes in your particular brand, then feel free to reach out to one of our dealers.
Rest assured that all of our certified service centers are fully equipped and prepared to work on your vehicle's brakes no matter what make or model you drive. While there might be some rare exceptions, we provide brake service on most makes and models out there, and we are ready to make sure your vehicle is safe for driving around Charlotte.
All Kinds of Maintenance for Charlotte Drivers
Despite the above focus on brake service, we are happy to provide you with a wide range of services and different types of maintenance for your vehicle. No matter what your car needs, we will take care of it and treat it with the respect and attention to detail that our technicians show their own vehicles.
We want to know that you are safe and in a vehicle that is in the best condition possible. Your ability to slow down and stop-to remain in control at all times-is essential and not something we take lightly. Contact us or schedule services for your vehicle today to ensure that it runs beautifully and treats you well for many years to come.