Does Your Chevy Need a Brake Repair?

How often you require brake servicing and repair depends largely on how much you use your brakes. Certain severe driving conditions are brake-heavy and take a greater toll on brakes. Whatever your driving conditions, pay attention to any indications that your brakes are wearing down. And never hesitate to visit your local Chevy dealer for prompt brake repair at the first signs of trouble.

Does Your Chevy Need a Brake Repair?

Brake-Heavy Driving Conditions

Ordinarily, brakes should be serviced every six months or so. But if you rarely drive, every twelve months might be fine. And if you drive under any of the following more intensive conditions, consider having servicing visits every three months to avoid unexpected problems.  

Winding Hilly Roads

When your local roads are winding with plenty of corners, such as you find in hilly terrain, you’ll be braking more often. You’re also more likely to run into occasional brake trouble.

Steep Mountain Roads

Mountainous areas are also hard on a car’s brakes due to all the long downhill stretches of road. Drivers in mountainous Western North Carolina, for instance, might experience a little more frequent brake trouble.

Heavy Traffic

Even city-dwellers can overuse their brakes. Commuting in heavy stop-and-go traffic wears down brake pads faster and sometimes causes overheating.

Excessive Weight

Extra weight makes it harder to stop your car and puts strain on your brakes. Be aware of this if you’re carrying heavy loads on the roof rack or towing a trailer. However, this issue is somewhat alleviated by trailers that have their own brakes.

Warning Signs of Brake Trouble

The danger of brake failure is greatly reduced when you know the early warning signs of faltering brakes. If you notice any of the following, have a technician take a look:

High-Pitched Squealing

When brake pads wear down too thin, they start making a squealing sound whenever you brake. And if you don’t have them replaced quickly, you’ll soon hear the grinding of metal on metal, which means your rotors are being damaged as well.

Vibrations in Your Pedal

When rotors become scored or warped, you can often feel it as rhythmic vibrations through the brake pedal. Ask your local technician if he can bring a damaged rotor back to life with resurfacing or if you’ll need a new one.

Leaking Brake Fluid

If your brake fluid leaks, your brakes will feel spongy and might even fail altogether. Brake fluid is yellow in color so keep an eye out for a yellow fluid pooling under your car.

Your Chevy Dealer Finds a Flaw

With regular checkups, you’ll stay abreast of the conditions of your braking mechanisms. Your technician will let you know in advance when your brake pads will need replacing, and they’ll also alert you to any more serious issues.

Visit Boyd Automotive Oxford today to have your brakes inspected and repaired. We’re a trusted local dealership with great cars and friendly, knowledgeable staff.

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