Good brakes are essential to keep you safe on the road. They allow you to react quickly and slow or stop your car exactly when you need to. The braking system consists of numerous parts that require regular servicing and maintenance to keep them working effectively. As your Toyota dealer, we’d like you to know some of the signs you need to visit us for a brake repair.
Brake Fluid Leak
Your braking system depends on high-quality brake fluid. This fluid provides the hydraulic power that stops your wheels. When you hit the brake pedal, the pressurized brake fluid is forced into the brake hoses. The fluid exerts pressure on the brake calipers, which causes them to close on the wheel rotors. The calipers contain brake pads that generate the friction that brings your wheels to a halt.
A brake fluid leak reduces the response speed of the brakes. Leaking brake fluid isn’t easy to spot, as it’s slightly yellowish and looks oily. If you have a fluid leak, you’ll notice your brake pedal takes less effort to depress, and your brake warning light will illuminate. We’ll examine the system for leaks, and repair them. We’ll then refill your brake fluid.
Glazed Brake Pads
As we’ve seen, brake pads generate the friction that stops your wheels. Once you take your foot off the brake, the calipers withdraw. If you have to ride your brakes, for example, you’re driving down a winding hill, this will keep the brake pads in contact with the rotors. Frequently riding your brakes causes the pads to become glazed.
Glazed pads won’t generate friction, and your brakes won’t work effectively. Your brakes might still work, but they require more effort to engage and the braking system will suffer unnecessary wear. If your brakes aren’t working as effectively as they should, you could have glazed pads. We’ll check the pads and replace any glazed ones with new, healthy pads.
Brake Warning Light
Your Toyota has three brake warning lights. These are the ABS, parking brake, and brake light. The parking brake light will always be illuminated when the parking brake is engaged. If the parking brake is still illuminated when your parking brake isn’t engaged, we’ll need to examine your car to identify and fix the problem.
Driving a car with an illuminated ABS is more dangerous, particularly in wet, muddy, or snowy conditions, as your wheels could lock and your car can skid. The brake light will only illuminate in response to a problem in the braking system or an engaged parking brake. We’ll examine your brakes and repair the cause of the problem.
Driving with worn or damaged brakes is dangerous. Call our service department today at Toyota of Bellevue.
Connect with us
