Most drivers in St. Matthews and Shelbyville evaluate the performance and condition of their vehicle based on features like acceleration, fuel mileage, and how smooth it rides. Very few owners consider the function of their vehicle’s brakes when deciding when to visit Genesis of Louisville for routine inspections and maintenance. But sadly, the brake system, and more specifically the brake pads on your car, truck, or SUV, are among the hardest-working components and are actually designed to be consumable. These vital parts give their life to stop or slow your vehicle while protecting the much more costly items like the brake rotors and calipers. However, ignoring the condition of a vehicle’s brake pads significantly reduces its safety and sets you up for a more costly repair. The simple solution to this potential catastrophe is routine brake pad service from your friends at the Genesis of Louisville service center.
Your newer vehicle is likely to have disc brakes on the front axle. When you press the brake pedal, hydraulic fluid increases pressure in the brake lines, which in turn moves the piston in the brake caliper and allows the brake pad to press against the brake rotor. The friction between the two surfaces slows the motion of the wheels and your vehicle. While the friction is vital in safely stopping the car, it is detrimental to the brake pads. Each time the brakes are applied, the brake pads take additional abuse.
What you need to understand is that the life of quality brake pads is between 20K and 40K miles. This large range is due to varying conditions that can increase or decrease the life expectancy of brake pads. Hot roads and driving conditions such as those in the summer months in Jeffersontown, or aggressive braking, meaning stomping on the brake pedal rather than gently and slowly applying it, will cause brake pads to degrade more rapidly. The simple fact is that whenever you feel the brakes on your vehicle are taking longer and farther to slow it, you should stop by or book an appointment online for brake service at Genesis of Louisville. And even if your vehicle’s brakes appear to be functioning perfectly, be sure to have them inspected at least once every 40,000 miles to ensure your safety.
When you are driving under normal weather and road conditions, you typically apply the brakes with a slow, gentle pressure on the brake pedal. The event happens frequently, and you might not even notice that you are instinctively slowing the vehicle as it approaches another car, a stop sign, a red light, or a potential hazard. However, when the brake pads on the vehicle are degraded, you will notice clear signs of this issue that can include:
All of these are your vehicle letting you know it is time to get to Genesis of Louisville for brake service from the experts in the service center. Please do not wait too long to get this vital car care. Not only do worn brake pads place your safety at risk, but the added wear and tear can result in damage to more costly brake components. At the first sign of an issue, contact our staff for brake pad service and review our service specials for added savings on that work.
