Blog

Taking
the proper care and maintenance of your vehicle is essential to keep it running
smoothly and prolong its lifespan. While most people are aware of regular jobs
such as cleaning your car, topping up oil, and getting a service and MOT, a
large portion of drivers are overlooking one of the most important car parts:
the brakes.

Carrying out your own basic brake maintenance can save money and the inconvenience of going to the garage, and our selection of car brakes offer budget and premium choices to get you started. If you’re ever unsure about problems with your car, go to a professional who can properly diagnose and repair the vehicle.

Why is brake maintenance important?

Brakes are one of the most critical car parts in ensuring the safety of any vehicle and its passengers, yet less than a quarter of UK drivers (20%) know how and when to check their brakes for faults. It’s important to keep them well maintained and cared for in order to maximize their performance and ensure you can stop reliably on the roads.

If you want to extend the lifespan of your brakes and their components, maintenance is a crucial way to do so. Regular brake maintenance can also help to identify issues early on and catch any repairs before they become worse – and more costly.

What are the different parts of the brakes?

Whether you’re carrying out your own brake maintenance or taking it to a local garage, it’s important to have a thorough understanding of the brakes so you can do accurate repairs and confidently understand information being shared by mechanics.

All
drivers will be familiar with the brake pedal, which is used by the person
operating the car to slow and stop the vehicle.

The
master cyclinder is a hydraulic pump that converts the force created
from pressing the pedal into hydraulic pressure.

Transporting that hydraulic pressure are brake lines, through flexible tubes that lead to the brake callipers.

These
brake callipers then take on the role of clamping the brake pads against
the brake discs to initiate the slowing down of the vehicle.

Brake discs and brake pads are the two circular components that physically slow down the car as they are clamped together by the callipers. There is one of each within each wheel of the vehicle. Under the bonnet, you can top up the brake fluid, a liquid which helps to transfer the force between the brake pedal and brakes

How often should you check your brake fluid

It’s
a good idea to check the level and condition of your brake fluid every couple
of months. Whilst most cars get a dashboard warning signal when it’s time for a
top up or replacement, it’s always worth doing a manual check every so often to
catch potential issues early on.

Typically,
you’ll need to change the brake fluid every two years, which you can do at home
or at a local garage. For top ups, only add more brake fluid to the reservoir
if it’s showing levels below the minimum mark. If you find you’re having to top
up your brake fluid regularly, this could be a sign of a leak or other problem,
in which case you should get your brakes inspected.

How to top up and replace your brake fluid

Topping up brake fluid is a quick task that can be done easily at home, despite only 15% of drivers carrying out regular checks. Whilst on a flat surface and with the engine turned off, pop the bonnet, locate the brake fluid reservoir (it usually has a black cap with a yellow brake rotor icon) and unscrew the cap. Check that the fluid is below the minimum marker, which indicates it needs to be topped up. Use a funnel to slowly pour the brake fluid into the reservoir until it reaches the maximum marker, cleaning any spills as soon as possible. Screw the cap back on and you’re ready to go.

How often should you check your brakes

Fortunately,
brakes are a long-wearing car part, so maintenance doesn’t need to be as
frequent as some other common jobs. At a minimum, you should check your brakes every two years, but it
can never hurt to do it more frequently and we would always recommend checking
them every year.

To give a rough idea of when you might need to carry out full maintenance, brake pads will need replacing somewhere between 30,000 -70,000 miles, while brake discs need replacing every 60,000 – 100,000 miles.

How to tell if brakes need replacing

Over
three quarters of drivers (76%) admit to ignoring signs of brake failure on
their vehicle, but regular wear and tear will make it easy to identify if your
brakes are ready for a replacement. Changes to your driving,
unusual noises, and other signals will become noticeable.

You
might start to hear a grinding or squealing sound coming from your car,
specifically your brakes, which is a good indicator that your brake pads and
discs are wearing down and need to be replaced. Whilst driving, if your car
pulls to the side, you notice a vibration when pressing on the brake, or your
brakes are generally not working as well, these are other likely signs that
your brakes need maintenance.

For
many drivers, you’ll also get shown a brake warning light on the dashboard when
it’s time for a brake fluid, brake pad, or brake disc replacement.

Can I repair my own brakes?

With the correct tools and materials, it’s possible to repair your own car brakes. Always make sure you have thoroughly read and are following accurate instructions and are confident in your ability to carry out the maintenance required. If you’re not sure about repairing your own brakes, ask a professional for guidance or to carry out the work themselves.

If
you have had recent work done or are still noticing issues with your braking
system, you might need to bleed your brakesto keep
them in full working order.