An Important Guide to Beginner’s Brake System
Your car’s brakes are one of the most crucial components for your safety on the road. It’s essential to have some knowledge about your brakes and their maintenance. In this beginner’s guide, we will take a closer look at the brake system, including its components, common issues, and the importance of proper brake maintenance.
Brake System Components
The majority of braking systems on modern cars are made up of disc rotors and pads. Some vehicles have sensors on both the front and rear brakes, some on the front only, and others don’t have any sensors at all. Besides the pads and disc rotors, there are other components that make up the brake system, including brake master cylinders, hydraulic fluid, handbrake modules, and park-brake shoes.
Disc Rotors and Pads
Disc rotors are designed to wear along with the brake pads. At Sommer Car Care, we always replace the pads and disc rotors at the same time for a couple of reasons. Firstly, as an ATE Premium Brake Center, we offer a no-questions-asked replacement warranty for any issues with the product or workmanship for 3 years or 50,000km with the ATE ceramic product. Secondly, disc rotors have a minimum safe thickness and can warp or have uneven wear, causing abnormal brake noise, brake shudder, or pedal pulsation. Brake pads start with about 12mm compound thickness, and we recommend replacing them at around 3-4 mm, depending on the client’s needs.
Brake Issues
If you hear grinding as you brake, you need to have your brakes checked urgently. Give us a call, and we will arrange a time to come in for a check either that day or the next. Sometimes it can be a piece of gravel lodged that is causing the noise, which can be quickly rectified while you wait. If it is the brakes that need replacing, we can sort this out without delay.
Our Preferred Brake Brand
We use many trusted brands, but our preferred brake brand is ATE (pronounced Artay) for many reasons. ATE is the pioneer of the modern hydraulic braking system used in our vehicles today. Most European vehicle manufacturers have their genuine brakes manufactured by ATE, and for aftermarket clients, they manufacture ceramic pads. Ceramic brake pads give you minimal brake dust (the black mess all over your wheels), a 3-year or 50,000km warranty, whichever comes first, and excellent braking performance.
European Car Specialists
We at Sommer Car Care specialise in the service and repair of most European cars. We have the expertise to provide excellent Audi repair, Skoda service, Mercedes-Benz repair and service, BMW repair and service, Volkswagen service, Land Rover service, Range Rover service, Porsche service, and much more.
Your brakes are an essential component of your vehicle and require proper maintenance to keep them working correctly. Regular brake checks and the timely replacement of worn-out components can prevent accidents and save you money in the long run. As an ATE Premium Brake Center, we offer top-quality brake services and products, so you can trust us to keep your vehicle’s brakes in optimal condition.
