What types of brake systems does my car have?
Your vehicle has an anti-lock braking system, which allows you to steer as your brakes are engaged. In addition to this, most cars have two or three types of brake systems. If any of these brake systems are wearing out, it is crucial to bring your car in to Auto Tech Services of Centralia and Rochester for an inspection before their condition worsens. These brake systems are:
- Disc Brakes
If you look through one of your car's wheels, you will see a shiny metal disc just inside. This is called a disc brake. When the driver steps on the brake pedal, a pad of hard-wearing material clamps onto the brake disc and rubs it to make it slow down—in a similar way to bicycle brakes.
- Drum Brakes
Some cars have disc brakes on all four wheels, while others have disc brakes on their front wheels and drum brakes on their back wheels. Instead of the disc and brake block, drum brakes have shoes inside the hollow wheel hub that press outwards. As the shoes push into the wheel, friction slows you down.
- Handbrake
Your vehicle's handbrake, or parking brake, applies force to the disc and drum brakes in a slower, less forceful way via a lever that's located between your car's two front seats. When you pull on the brake, a system of levers tugs on a pair of sturdy cables that apply the brakes to the back wheels. The handbrake system is completely mechanical and does not use brake fluid like the disk and drum brakes, so it can be used as an emergency brake (with great care) when the other brake systems fail.
What are brake rotors and how do they work?
Brake rotors are part of your vehicle's disk brake system. It is an iron disc that is connected to the tire's hub that work together with the brake pads to stop your vehicle. Each side of your vehicle's tire has a brake rotor, and these rotors are connected by ribs. When you press on the brake pedal to stop, the brake pads are pressed against the brake rotors to create friction. This will make your vehicle safely come to a stop or slow down, depending on how hard you press on the brake pedal. This process produces a large amount of heat, creating a high temperature in your vehicle's brake rotors. As you drive, the heat leaves the vehicle and goes into the air. This process is called heat dissipation.
Other brake components include:
- Brake calipers: Brake calipers are a clamp that houses the brake fluid, brake pistons, and brake pads. With good and regular maintenance, brake calipers can last a long time.
- Brake pistons: The brake pistons press against the brake pads to create friction on the brake rotors that causes your vehicle to slow down or stop. If your vehicle is leaking brake fluid, it is a sign that your brake pistons need to be replaced.
- Brake drums: Brake drums are your vehicle's drum brake system. They are hollow and turn with your vehicle's tires. Brake drums are built with longevity and with proper care, can last for over 100,000 miles.
- Brake fluid: Brake fluid activates the brake pistons, which causes your brake pads to slow your vehicle down. If there isn't enough brake fluid, the pistons won't activate properly. We at Auto Tech Services of Centralia and Rochester in Washington recommend getting your brake fluid flushed and replaced every 20,000 miles or two years.
Many companies sell brake products or different parts of your vehicle's brake system. We at Auto Tech Services of Centralia and Rochester use quality parts and can assure you that we will get your vehicle to the way the manufacturer intended.
What are the different types of brake rotors?
Here are the four types of brake rotors you can have on your vehicle:
- Smooth brake rotors
Most vehicles, including those from, Acura, Audi, BMW, and Buick come with smooth brake rotors, and this is because smooth brake rotors provide enough stopping power for most driving conditions. Because they have a smooth surface, smooth brake rotors have the most rotor surface area compared to other types of brake rotors, smooth brake rotors can absorb a lot of heat and are not prone to cracking under extreme use.
- Slotted brake rotors
Slotted brake rotors have slots cut along the edge of the rotor that makes contact with the brake pad. These grooves allow the brake pad's surface area to have more contact with the brake rotors, which results in more consistent stops.
- Cross drilled brake rotors
Cross-drilled brake rotors have drill holes that are mostly used for aesthetic reasons. These brake rotors were originally used in race cars to reduce the amount of heat the rotor would have to absorb.
- Drilled and slotted brake rotors
Drilled and slotted brake rotors offer the benefits of slotted brake rotors and cross-drilled brake rotors. These brake rotors can keep temperatures down and maintain a clean brake rotor. Low temperatures prevent fade resistance, which is when high temperatures cause part of the brake rotor's resin material to vaporize.
Your Reliable Shop for Brake Rotors Repair
If you are having an issue with your brake rotors, Auto Tech Services of Centralia and Rochester is your place to go. Our team of Quality technicians have decades of experience and are experts in all things auto repair, including Diagnostics, Repair, Alignment Service, and brake rotors repair. We can improve your vehicle's brake performance efficiently and cost-effectively. Reasons You Should Do Business With Us:
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We've been fixing cars since 2010 and are experts in all things auto repair. If you are in the 98579 area or nearby, don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with Auto Tech Services of Centralia and Rochester, either online or via phone at 360-273-8306. Auto Tech Services of Centralia and Rochester - Maintenance is easy to schedule... Breakdowns are not!.