Inspecting Your Brakes

Brakes are the most important safety devices in your vehicle. They can, quite literally, save lives. If you have ever experienced losing your brakes before, then you most probably never want to feel the same nervousness ever again. So, it is crucial to check your brakes twice a year to make sure that any damage or wear would be immediately fixed.

You can inspect the brakes without having to remove the wheel in most cars. For instance, if your vehicle happens to have alloy wheels with spaces in the middle part, you can make a proper assessment by simply peering through the holes and inspecting the brake pads and the discs.

Be sure to check the disc first. It should look shiny from the inside part to the outer edge. If you see slight lines on it, there is no need to worry since these are just normal symptoms of wear. But if you notice that there are pronounced grooves or rough spots on the disc, then replace the disc immediately. Make sure that you replace the brake discs in pairs so that you would not compromise your car's safety and driving performance.

After you have inspected the discs, check the brake pads. Peek up to get a good view of the pads and, if you see that they are looking a bit thin, replace them at once. You should also inspect your brake lines. Those coated with rubber must be supple and soft without any cracks. Inspect the metal lines as well, and make sure that they are not corroded.

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