Toyota brakes are extremely durable and reliable. But all car brakes undergo a great deal of wear and tear and eventually need components replaced. How long your brake pads and rotors last really depends on how often you’re stepping on that brake pedal, which in turn depends on your regular driving conditions. Let’s take a look at a few common signs that you need to visit your nearest Toyota dealer for brake repair and also the kinds of conditions that cause brakes to wear down faster.
Worn Out Brake Pads
Each time your brake pads clamp onto the rotors, slowing your car, they lose a little more of their upper friction layer. When this friction layer is almost finished, you’ll hear a squealing sound. If the friction layer disappears altogether, you’ll hear an alarming grinding sound of metal scraping directly on metal.
Warped or Scored Rotors
Rotors can sometimes become scored by worn-down brake pads. They can also warp out of shape when overheating.
A damaged rotor often creates a vibrating sensation that you can feel through your foot on the brake pedal. You can sometimes rescue a damaged rotor with resurfacing, but more often, you’ll need a new one.
Leaking Brake Fluid
Brake fluid leaks are dangerous because when a brake hose leaks, power will no longer be transferred properly from your foot to the braking mechanism.
When brake fluid leaks, your brakes will often feel soft and spongy. The brake fluid is oily and yellow in color, so you can check to see if a fluid of this description is pooling under your hood or undercarriage.
Damaged Brake Calipers
The calipers house the brake pads and rotors. It’s possible for small parts to occasionally come loose within a caliper, such as a bolt, pin, or clip.
Any such loosened part will rattle about or create a grinding sound when you use your brakes. You’ll probably need a mechanic to take the caliper apart and fix the problem.
Driving Conditions That Wear Brakes Down Faster
Long-distance drives along clear highways are ideal for cars as relatively little braking is involved. Being stuck in stop-and-go traffic, on the other hand, can take a real toll on brakes.
Mountainous roads with long downhill stretches are also rather brake-heavy. And if you’re increasing the weight of your vehicle with a roof rack or trailer, then your brakes are also under considerably more strain.
Ask Your Toyota Dealer About Your Driving Conditions
If you’re in doubt as to how brake-heavy your regular driving conditions are, ask at your local dealership. During your biannual brake servicing visits, they can check how rapidly your brake pads are wearing down and tell you how much you’re using them.
Visit Toyota South today to have your brakes checked and repaired. We’ve been providing exceptional vehicles and customer service since 1915.
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