It’s something that almost never happens, but it happens to someone. Whether you’re on your way to a budget brakes store to get your brakes fixed or perhaps driving home on the highway, brake failure can to anyone. Take a look below for our budget brakes panic-free guide to stopping a car with no brakes.
1. Don’t panic, and don’t turn the ignition off until the car is stationary. Don’t pull the parking brake yet, and don’t jump out of the vehicle unless you really do have absolutely no other choice. Now is the time to take your foot off the gas.
2. Start by applying pressure to your brakes until they pedal hits the floor. If the pedal seems jammed, try and check with your feet to clear any possible obstruction such as the floor mat.
3. If the pedal isn’t jammed and isn’t working, then start pumping the pedal like a foot operated bicycle pump. Your goal is to pump enough pressure so that you can press the brakes and slow down.
4. Use the engine’s braking to slow the car. If you are in a high gear change down a gear, but do so gradually and don’t go from a high gear into a low gear. Change down one gear at a time so that you don’t destroy the engine and or lose control.
5. Finally, if nothing else works, use the parking brake. Apply it slowly and gradually, applying more pressure as the vehicle slows to a halt. Once the car is stopped switch off the ignition and call for help.
With free brake checks, Budget brakes can ensure that total brake failure is practically impossible. If you keep your brakes well maintained and looked after, you’ll at least know that if anything fails, it’s not going to be your brakes.
The Importance of Regular Brake Inspections
From budget brakes and pads to more high quality items, the single most important factor in ensuring that your auto is actually safe, is to ensure that you get your brakes inspected regularly – even if there are no signs of problems! This act of preventative maintenance goes a long way to ensure that expensive repairs aren’t necessary and it also ensures the safety of you and your family.
Getting your brakes seen to really is like going to the dentist. It’s an inconvenient convenience that everybody needs, but nobody has the time for! Today more and more people are on a tight budget, but it’s easy to forget that your car’s brakes could very well be your lifeline. Getting regular inspections might just save you hundreds of dollars if not your life.
Minor brake overhauls such as changing brake pads is a pretty easy task and it typically takes around just an hour or two. However, it’s often put off until the last minute and while you might just be thinking you’ll get a few more weeks out of your budget brakes after they start making noises, you might also find that they stop working just when you need them…
Budget Brakes offers free inspections and we’ll let you know exactly what’s going on behind the scenes. This check-up service gives you a great deal of peace of mind and it ensures that your disc brakes last for longer which really can save you a small fortune.
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Types of Brakes
Certain systems on your car must be checked on a regular basis to ensure they are operating properly. This is for your safety as well as the safety of other drivers. One that must be checked on a regular basis is your braking system. Due to the frequency of the use of this system, it often needs to undergo regular maintenance. Do not put this off.
Cars have one of three types of brakes. The first are drum brakes. When you press the brake pedal in your car, your brakes shoes will press against a drum, creating friction. This friction is what causes your car to slow and stop. Very little pressure on the pedal is required on your part, but over time the various components will wear out and must be replaced. Components of the drum brake system include the drum itself, the brake lining, the return spring and the piston. Wheel cylinders, brakes shoes, brake pads, a wheel hub and studs are also part of the drum brake system.
Disk brakes, in contrast, are much simpler than drum brakes and are also more effective. These budget brakes consist of a flat, round piece of metal which presses against a wheel to slow or stop the car. As only three components make up the disk brake system, you have less that needs to be replaced on a regular basis. The three components are the disk brake, the brake line and the brake shield. Any time you take your car in to an auto repair facility for work, you should ask that your budget brakes be checked. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Most newer cars now come with anti-lock budget brakes. These brakes consist of a hydraulic actuator, wheel speed sensors in each wheel and an electronic control unit. If the electronic control unit detects a problem anywhere in the brake system, an ABS warning light on your dash will come on. If this occurs, take your car in immediately to have your budget brakes checked. This is one repair that cannot be put off.
Top Signs to Get Your Brakes Checked NOW by Budget Brakes, continued…
The most obvious indicator that your car’s the brakes need attention is an incredibly high note squeal when trying to stop. Brake lining manufacturers include a small piece of metal called an indicator on the pad itself. If it reaches the point where there is less than ¼-inch left, the metal sound from the brake rotor makes a pretty good impression of fingernails on a blackboard. Depending on your driving pattern, this usually means you should replace your brake pads within a month or so. Call Budget Brakes in Tennessee or Alabama to set up your appointment, or just drive on in.
Occasionally, the brake indicator will rust and simply fall off, removing the ability for you to hear the warning noises. In addition, aftermarket and low-cost brake pads do not all come with this type of a wear indicator. In this case, pay attention to other warning signs. If your car takes longer to stop than they used to, or if your brake pedal actually goes further down than before when stepping on it, it is probably a good idea to get your brakes checked out. Regular checks are a good idea and require a little more know-how to remove the tire and know what you’re searching for. If at all uncomfortable, come to Budget Brakes for a free inspection.
Brake rotors are more complicated because they usually last through two or three sets of brake pads before having to be replaced. If your steering wheel wobbles in your hands as you brake, your rotors are likely warped and it’s strongly recommended that you get them checked out.
Stay tuned for more!
Top Warning Signs to Get Your Brakes Checked NOW - Part 1
Just like our feet, the brakes in our cars go through some terrible pounding.
And just like our feet, when the brakes go, the car goes (literally).
Brakes take the abuse of stop-and-go traffic, both on local streets and traffic-clogged freeways. And as the abuse continues, the parts start to wear down more and more. Before you know it, your brake systems are shot. Don't be the victim of a brake system that needs to be fully repaired with a repair bill of about $400 or so.
But worse than losing money is the possibility of losing your life. The recent reported problems with Toyota vehicles shows the potentially devastating results when a car can't stop as you expect it to.
The good news is that a little bit of attention to some signs of wear on your brakes can save you a lot of money and headaches down the road.
Sign #1: Irritating Noise. This is going to sound obvious, but the first sign that there are problems with your brakes is some horrendous noise that pierces your ear. Sometimes it could be dust or sand. But most of the time that's your first warning sign that something's wrong. There's a small piece of metal on your brake lining called an “indicator” that is on the actual brake pad. When you hear that noise, get it checked out without hesitation; you likely have about 30 days left on your brakes.
Next blog post we'll examine other signs.
And just like our feet, when the brakes go, the car goes (literally).
Brakes take the abuse of stop-and-go traffic, both on local streets and traffic-clogged freeways. And as the abuse continues, the parts start to wear down more and more. Before you know it, your brake systems are shot. Don't be the victim of a brake system that needs to be fully repaired with a repair bill of about $400 or so.
But worse than losing money is the possibility of losing your life. The recent reported problems with Toyota vehicles shows the potentially devastating results when a car can't stop as you expect it to.
The good news is that a little bit of attention to some signs of wear on your brakes can save you a lot of money and headaches down the road.
Sign #1: Irritating Noise. This is going to sound obvious, but the first sign that there are problems with your brakes is some horrendous noise that pierces your ear. Sometimes it could be dust or sand. But most of the time that's your first warning sign that something's wrong. There's a small piece of metal on your brake lining called an “indicator” that is on the actual brake pad. When you hear that noise, get it checked out without hesitation; you likely have about 30 days left on your brakes.
Next blog post we'll examine other signs.
Brakes 101–Part 3 Brake Terms Continued
We continue with our discussion of brake terminology, which will help you better understand how your vehicle’s braking system works:
Drums
Function: A friction surface for the brake shoes to stop the vehicle; dissipates heat build up with its thickness.
Signs of Wear: Measured thickness, out of round, cracked, hard spots or groves.
Can Cause: Noise, pulsating, vibration and low brake pedal.
Drum Hardware
Function: Holds brake shoes in position and prevents shoes from dragging on brake drums after braking.
Signs of Wear: Dirty, rusty, broken, distorted or corroded.
Can Cause: Noise, excessive brake shoe and drum wear, pulling and grabbing.
Grease Seals
Function: Keeps grease on the wheel bearings.
Signs of Wear: Leaks, seals torn or damaged.
Can Cause: Noise, spindle and rotor damage.
Master Cylinder
Function: Holds and transfers brake fluid to the front and rear brakes.
Signs of Wear: Leaks, brake warning light.
Can Cause: Low brake pedal, unreliable stopping or fading brake pedal.
Rotors Function: A friction surface for the brake pads to stop the vehicle; dissipates heat build up with its thickness.
Signs of Wear: Measured thickness, cracks, warped, grooves or hard spots.
Can Cause: Noise, heat build up, pulsating and vibration.
Wheel Bearings
Function: Allows wheels to rotate smoothly.
Signs of Wear: Noise, cracks, pits or blurring.
Can Cause: Vibration, noise, spindle and rotor damage.
Wheel Cylinders
Function: Pushes the brake shoes on the drum.
Signs of Wear: Leaks, corroded pistons or brake warning light.
Can Cause: Noise, grabbing, pulling to the side, premature brake shoe wear and brake drum damage.
Drums
Function: A friction surface for the brake shoes to stop the vehicle; dissipates heat build up with its thickness.
Signs of Wear: Measured thickness, out of round, cracked, hard spots or groves.
Can Cause: Noise, pulsating, vibration and low brake pedal.
Drum Hardware
Function: Holds brake shoes in position and prevents shoes from dragging on brake drums after braking.
Signs of Wear: Dirty, rusty, broken, distorted or corroded.
Can Cause: Noise, excessive brake shoe and drum wear, pulling and grabbing.
Grease Seals
Function: Keeps grease on the wheel bearings.
Signs of Wear: Leaks, seals torn or damaged.
Can Cause: Noise, spindle and rotor damage.
Master Cylinder
Function: Holds and transfers brake fluid to the front and rear brakes.
Signs of Wear: Leaks, brake warning light.
Can Cause: Low brake pedal, unreliable stopping or fading brake pedal.
Rotors Function: A friction surface for the brake pads to stop the vehicle; dissipates heat build up with its thickness.
Signs of Wear: Measured thickness, cracks, warped, grooves or hard spots.
Can Cause: Noise, heat build up, pulsating and vibration.
Wheel Bearings
Function: Allows wheels to rotate smoothly.
Signs of Wear: Noise, cracks, pits or blurring.
Can Cause: Vibration, noise, spindle and rotor damage.
Wheel Cylinders
Function: Pushes the brake shoes on the drum.
Signs of Wear: Leaks, corroded pistons or brake warning light.
Can Cause: Noise, grabbing, pulling to the side, premature brake shoe wear and brake drum damage.
Brakes 101–Part 2 Brake Terms
At each Budget Brakes store, we display common brake terms and explain what they mean so that our customers have a better understanding of each part’s function, as well as the signs of wear and symptoms that indicate when a part may need to be repaired or replaced.
We’ve broken our list of terms into two posts. Here’s the first one:
Anti-lock Brake Module
Function: Electronically assists stopping vehicle in shortest distance.
Signs of Wear: ABS warning light on or noise.
Can Cause: Longer stopping distance and brake pedal vibration.
Brake Hoses
Function: A flexible link between the vehicle’s frame and the front wheels.
Signs of Wear: Cracking, ballooning, leaking or restriction of brake fluid flow.
Can Cause: Pulling to the side, premature brake pad wear, and caliper and brake rotor damage.
Brake Pads
Function: Material that wears against brake rotors and stops the vehicle.
Signs of Wear: Thickness, cracks, separation from backing plate.
Can Cause: Noise, brake rotor and caliper damage.
Brake Shoes
Function: Material that wears against brake drums and stops the vehicle.
Signs of Wear: Thickness, cracks, separation from backing plate.
Can Cause: Noise, brake drum and wheel cylinder damage.
Calipers
Function: Push and retract brake pads from the rotor.
Signs of Wear: Leaks, torn dust boot or uneven brake pad wear.
Can Cause: Noise, grabbing, pulling to the side, premature brake pad wear and brake rotor damage.
Discharge Hardware
Function: Holds brake pads in position and prevents pads from dragging on brake rotors after braking.
Signs of Wear: Dirty, rusty, broken, distorted or corroded.
Can Cause: Noise, excessive brake pad and rotor wear, pulling and grabbing.
We’ve broken our list of terms into two posts. Here’s the first one:
Anti-lock Brake Module
Function: Electronically assists stopping vehicle in shortest distance.
Signs of Wear: ABS warning light on or noise.
Can Cause: Longer stopping distance and brake pedal vibration.
Brake Hoses
Function: A flexible link between the vehicle’s frame and the front wheels.
Signs of Wear: Cracking, ballooning, leaking or restriction of brake fluid flow.
Can Cause: Pulling to the side, premature brake pad wear, and caliper and brake rotor damage.
Brake Pads
Function: Material that wears against brake rotors and stops the vehicle.
Signs of Wear: Thickness, cracks, separation from backing plate.
Can Cause: Noise, brake rotor and caliper damage.
Brake Shoes
Function: Material that wears against brake drums and stops the vehicle.
Signs of Wear: Thickness, cracks, separation from backing plate.
Can Cause: Noise, brake drum and wheel cylinder damage.
Calipers
Function: Push and retract brake pads from the rotor.
Signs of Wear: Leaks, torn dust boot or uneven brake pad wear.
Can Cause: Noise, grabbing, pulling to the side, premature brake pad wear and brake rotor damage.
Discharge Hardware
Function: Holds brake pads in position and prevents pads from dragging on brake rotors after braking.
Signs of Wear: Dirty, rusty, broken, distorted or corroded.
Can Cause: Noise, excessive brake pad and rotor wear, pulling and grabbing.
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