Brake Safety Checks You Should Do Before Your December Holiday

Brake Safety Checks You Should Do Before Your December Holiday

The holiday season is sneaking up on us; we’ve begun planning our leave, booking seaside accommodation and saving up for that well-deserved trip to the beach.

But have you considered having your vehicle checked up before you leave? Arriving safely at your destination is as important as the holiday itself, and brakes play a pivotal role in road safety.

Here is a list of checks you should perform on your vehicles brakes before going away these holidays!

Brake Safety Checks – Checklist

Unless you are a qualified mechanic, we always suggest taking your vehicle in to have your brake system checked before a long trip. They will be able to thoroughly inspect and advise you on suitable steps to take to ensure your safety on the road.

So, what will they check?

A thorough inspection should include brake lining wear, brake fluid level, rotor or brake pad thickness, condition of hoses and brake lines, brake and dash warning lights, as well as taking the car for a test drive to detect other potential brake system problems.

If your car is pulling to the left or right, or if you hear odd noises when you apply the brakes, you should inspect your brakes. Other warning signs include an illuminated brake warning light, brake grabbing, low pedal feel, vibration, hard pedal feel and squealing.

Several factors that affect brake wear include driving habits, operating conditions, vehicle type and the quality of the brake lining material. Never put off routine brake inspections or any needed brakes repair, such as letting the brakes get to the “metal-to-metal” point, which can be potentially dangerous and lead to a more costly repair bill.

“A properly operating brake system helps ensure safe vehicle operation and control under a variety of driving conditions,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Motorists can put a stop to any potential brake system problems by recognizing the signs and symptoms that their brake system may need maintenance or repair.”

If you are experiencing any of the below when driving your vehicle, ensure you get your car to an authorised dealer to inspect your brakes:

• Your brake warning light appears – or has appeared recently.
• Your steering wheel vibrates when you apply brakes – either softly or harshly.
• Your brake pedal sticks when applied.
• Your pedal feels spongy when applying brakes.
• Your brake pedal makes a noise when applying brakes – or in the “free-play” range.
• Your brake pedal requires a lot more effort than usual to depress – either because it needs to be pushed in further to apply brakes, or because the pedal is hard.
• Your vehicle veers when applying brakes.

h/t to carcare.org for the information sourced for this article!

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Cover Image Credit: The Telegraph