Oct 28, 2014

Your brakes are a critical component on your vehicle, so they should be one of the top priorities on your list.  Brake issues can be identified visually, by the sound they make, and what you feel when you are driving or stopping. Your owner’s manual will tell you when your brakes should be serviced, but you may be wearing them out sooner than expected.  Toyota of Dothan wonders if you are reducing your brake life.

 

What Causes Brakes to Wear Out?

Your vehicle’s brakes are not designed to last forever, but you can usually get 30,000 to 70,000 miles out of your brake pads.  Rotors will last much longer.  Your driving habits may reduce the lifespan.  Common brake-life killers include:

  • Aggressive driving and speeding
  • Last minute stopping
  • Overloading the vehicle
  • Riding the brake pedal when you are driving or going down a hill
  • Failing to have the brakes inspected when recommended by the manufacturer
  • Constantly on and off the brakes when you are traveling
  • Installed cheap brakes

 

How Can I Tell if it is Time for New Brakes?

Your Toyota will tell you when the time is getting close for a brake job.  Common symptoms include:

  • Squealing when you stop
  • The car pulls to one side when you are stopping
  • The pedal is spongy
  • The brake pedal or the steering wheel shakes when you are stopping
  • You keep having to replace the brake fluid
  • You observe strange smells or noises coming from the brakes
  • Your braking reaction time is reduced