The brakes in your vehicle have a critical job to do, but if they are not properly maintained, they may not work when you need them. Simply checking the brake pads and shoes from time to time and replacing them when they need it can keep the brake system working and save you money on repairs later. 

Brake Inspections

Brake inspections should be part of the regular maintenance of your vehicle. When you take your car in for an oil change and tire rotation, ask the tech to check to see if you need any brake repair while they have the tires off the car. 

The brake pads, shoes, calipers, rotors, and brake drums should all be inspected every other oil change, and if there is any noticeable damage, the vehicle may require brake repair. If there appears to be a problem, the tech working on your car will disassemble the brakes to determine what is wrong and what needs to be repaired. 

Symptoms Of Brake Issues

The brakes on your car or truck can often give you some signs when they are ready for brake repair. The brakes may shutter when you press the pedal or make noise that is not normal for the car. In some cases, the brakes will pull the vehicle to one side of the road or the other if the brakes are wearing unevenly, and brake repair will be necessary to correct the problem. 

If the brakes in your vehicle suddenly feel differently, take the car to a brake repair shop and have the tech check them for you. The brakes may be wearing unevenly, or you may have a brake hanging up and causing handling issues during braking. 

Brake Repair

The parts you choose for the brake repair can be critical and can affect the brake system's performance. The brake repair tech can help you select the correct parts for your car and your driving style if you are not sure what you need. 

Often replacing the factory brake pads and shoes with semi-metallic or ceramic pads and shoes can extend the life of the brakes. These brakes can also dissipate heat better than standard parts, so they are less prone to brake fade when you are in stop-and-go traffic. 

If you are using the vehicle for towing, a semi-metallic pad can help stop the vehicle and the trailer that you are towing. The trailer should have its own brakes on it, but in some cases, a small trailer may not, and the vehicle will need to be able to stop both.

For more information on brake repair and replacement, visit a site like http://www.autoservicefairfax.com.

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