Do I Need A Brake Check?

I Think I Need A Brake Check…How Will I Know For Sure?

Are you thinking it might be time to check the brake system for a Ford vehicle? After all, your brakes are one of your ride’s best safety systems, helping you stop where you plan to avoid fender benders or damaging your bumper. Thankfully, your car, truck, or SUV usually lets you know when your stopping system needs an inspection—stick with us today to recognize the signs. Also, schedule your Ford Brake service online at Spitzer Ford Cuyahoga Falls, your local Ford service center near Akron, OH.

First Things First…What Are The Signs Of Faulty Brakes?

To see if your brakes need a replacement, the easiest trick involves looking between your wheel spokes at your brake pads. If the piece between your rotor and caliper looks thinner than a quarter inch, you’re usually safe replacing the pad since it’s worn past effective levels.

For the next trick, listen up when you brake—can you hear a loud squealing or grinding sound? If so, your pads have fully worn and now the metal from your rotor is brushing against your caliper, which can lead to premature damage if not taken care of ASAP.

When you push on your brake, does your ride behave strangely? Specifically, are you pulling to one side of the road or experiencing a strange pulsing feeling? The cause could be a variety of braking issues, from a damaged braking hose to your rotors wearing excessively. Either way, our technicians are always happy to diagnose the specific fault—for now, schedule service before your ride quality deteriorates further.

Lastly, how does your pedal feel when you push it to the floor? If your foot nearly slams into the floor with virtually no resistance, your brake pads have worn too much. However, the issue could be more critical, like a brake fluid leak, so you won’t want to ignore this symptom. Also, if your brakes feel too sensitive, the issue could be a problem with your rotors or debris entering your braking system—again, you’ll want to solve this issue quickly before you face a slippery slope of repairs.

None Of The Above Apply…Should I Still Schedule Service?

As a rule of thumb, you’ll want to replace your brakes after 50,000 miles or four years—but the exact number depends on your driving habits. For example, if you’re constantly pulling heavy loads in your Ford Super Duty pickup, you’ll likely need service sooner since the weight of the trailers wears down your pads faster. If you want to play it safe, it doesn’t hurt to inspect your brakes, so feel free to schedule a brake check along with your maintenance schedule services like oil changes and tire rotations to help ensure you don’t miss any major issues.

Take A Brake: Start Near Cleveland, OH

There’s no reason to compromise your vehicle’s stopping power. Instead, if you think your braking system is starting to wear, schedule a brake inspection at Spitzer Ford Cuyahoga Falls. Our team is also here to help in any way possible—so, let us know if you still have questions about how to get your brakes inspected or about how the brake system works.