Brakes Maintenance
Your Guide to Brakes Maintenance in Tampa Bay, FL
Taking good care of your vehicle is critical for its longevity and for your safety. Brakes are among the most vital vehicle components because, without a healthy system, you’ll have a more difficult time stopping safely in inclement weather or during an emergency.
Fortunately, taking care of your brakes is fairly straightforward as long as you pay attention to your vehicle, drive responsibly, and keep up to date with a regular service schedule at Rivard Buick GMC in Tampa Bay, Florida.
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How you can help maintain your brakes
Brake maintenance is important, and it’s a task that’s best left to a certified service technician like one you’d work with at Rivard Buick GMC. But there are steps that you can take to help ensure your brakes are doing their job and are healthy enough for driving.
Look and Listen
The most important thing you can do to make sure your brakes are working for you is to pay attention. Good brakes perform consistently, and signs of wear are fairly easy to spot — and hear. It’s possible to spot wear and tear on your brake pads and rotors, and you may notice tell-tale signs like leaks, but the clearest evidence of bad brakes are sounds like squeaking, squealing, and grinding.
Think about how you drive
If you want to boost the life of your brakes, a great way to do it is to drive more cautiously. Slamming on your brakes puts extra stress on the system and components, speeding up wear and tear and costing you more money in the long run. Whenever possible, brake gradually into stops or try to avoid braking by tempering your speed. You should also avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal when not in use. Even slight pressure engages your brake system, increasing wear over time.
Get the feel of your brakes
The less effective your brakes become, the more different they’ll feel. Fresh brakes feel responsive and can stop your vehicle quickly. Older brakes may feel soft or spongy when you apply the pedal. That usually means longer stopping times and greater stopping distances, which is dangerous. If it takes you more effort to come to a complete stop, and if you notice symptoms like vibration or your vehicle pulling to one side, your brakes likely need care or replacement.
Stay up to date on service
The best way to maintain your brakes is to leave the work to a professional. The service team at Rivard Buick GMC has years of knowledge and experience in performing key services like brake inspections, fluid flushes, repair, and replacement. Whatever your brake service needs are, our certified technicians are qualified and capable of getting the job done right.
Make sure you heed the signs of bad brakes and act accordingly by coming into Rivard Buick GMC for assistance. If you notice strange sounds or smells, feel as if you’re not getting the same braking performance, or pick up on any other issues that give you pause, bring your Buick or GMC to our dealership for a check-up. The sooner you act, the safer you’ll be and the more you can save over the lifetime of your vehicle. Our team will make sure that you’re keeping current with a manufacturer-recommended service schedule across the board so that you never miss an important appointment.
If your vehicle needs brake service, an oil change, tire rotation, or any other key maintenance, schedule a visit at Rivard Buick GMC in Tampa Bay, Florida. Be sure to check out our money-saving specials on parts and service, and feel free to reach out to our team with any questions.
Brake Maintenance Guide in Tampa, FL