Brakes & Brake Pads
When you need to stop fast you need to know your brakes are going to do their job.
Don’t Wait Until Your Brakes Stop Working
Your brakes are one of the most important components of your car and could one day save a life.
When Should I Get My Brakes Checked?
- When the brake dashboard light is yellow, there might be issues with your ABS (anti-lock brake system).
- When the brake dashboard light is red, there might be a system imbalance.
- If you have to press your brake pedal hard to slow your car, there could be a problem with your brake fluid or pads.
- If you hear grinding or squeaking when you brake, it could indicate worn out pads or rotor damage.
- If your brake pedal feels spongy when you press it, there might be air bubbles in your brake fluid or rotor damage.
- If your car vibrates when you brake, your car might have rotor damage.
- If your car pulls to one side when you brake, your car might need its brakes adjusted, brake fluid checked, or pads replaced.
A brake pedal that feels soft or spongy underfoot, loud squealing or grinding sounds, your vehicle pulling to one side or vibrations when applying the brakes all indicate a problem that should be investigated immediately. South Colorado Springs Nissan recommends that instead of waiting for a problem to occur that you schedule a regular brake inspection by an experienced technician before problems arise. This way, potential issues like worn pads and discs or aged or leaking fluid can be found and corrected before lives are put at risk.
If you experience any of these, bring your vehicle in for inspection immediately. Better still, schedule a regular brake inspection by an experienced technician before problems arise. This way, potential issues like worn pads and discs or aged or leaking fluid can be found and corrected before lives are put at risk. You’re a careful driver, always looking ahead, but you can’t predict what others will do.
The Three Components of Car Brakes & Common Issues
- Brake Pads
- Brake pads consist of friction material on a steel backing. The friction material pushes against the disc to stop your car, and over time, it wears away. If the pads aren’t replaced before this happens, the backing grinds against the disc, leading to expensive repairs. That’s why pads should be inspected regularly for wear and replaced as necessary.
- Brake Discs
- Brake discs wear too, but more slowly. Signs of worn discs are having to press the brake pedal much harder than expected to slow or stop a vehicle and vibration when braking. A technician can measure the thickness of each disc and advise on when to schedule replacement.
- Brake Fluid
- Brake fluid should be changed at manufacturer-recommended intervals. This is because it becomes contaminated with microscopic particles and may absorb water. That leads to seals and pistons not working exactly as needed, which could mean longer stopping distances.
Service Hours
- Monday – Saturday: 7:00am to 6:00pm
- Sunday: Closed
Parts Hours
- Monday – Saturday: 7:00am to 6:00pm
- Sunday: Closed