Do you remember the first law of motion that Newton gave? Newton’s first law of motion states that if a body is at rest or moving at a constant speed in a straight line, it will remain at rest or keep moving in a straight line at constant speed unless a force acts upon it.
While driving a car, if you see a dead end at the end of the road, you simply apply brakes to stop the car. Brakes, in this context, refer to the force applied to the car, which resonates with Newton’s first law of motion.
The car brake is a mechanical device that is installed within the car that inhibits motion by absorbing energy from the vehicle with the help of friction. Applying car brakes allows you to slow down or stop the motion of a vehicle.
A car’s brakes are one of the most critical components, even though every component of the vehicle is vital for its proper operation. If your brakes fail to function correctly, you, the passengers sitting in the car, and other drivers on the road may be in grave danger. That’s why it is always better option to have your car brakes service from a professional mechanic. Here’s how to take care of your brakes to help prevent any unforeseen circumstances.
Importance Of Car Brakes:
Car brakes are the primary safety component of a vehicle as it helps to slow down or stop the car to prevent accidents.
There are various types of car brakes, such as-
• Hydraulic brakes
• Power brakes
• Air brakes
• Disc brakes
• Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
• Parking brakes, etc.
Almost all modern cars have hydraulic brakes. The hydraulic brakes help stop your vehicle by exponentially increasing the pressure applied to the brake paddle and using that force to stop the vehicle.
Every year, about 1.3 million people die worldwide from road accidents, and about 20 to 30 million get badly injured. We have all heard of scenarios wherein an accelerating car went off the road or was about to crash with a wall or a car that lost control and fell from a steep hill. Most of these accidents are a result of brake failures. The proper application of car brakes can prevent many of these accidents. The working of car brakes can be a matter of life and death.
Besides bringing cars to a halt, brakes also decrease the speed of vehicles. For example, while driving on a highway, you cannot increase speed beyond a specified limit. To control the speed from exceeding that limit, you must periodically apply brakes to lower the vehicle’s speed.
Parking brakes (hand brakes) prevent a car from rolling away from its position, especially when parked on a steep slope or hill. Let us now talk about six car brake tips to help you stay safe on the road.
6 Car Brake Tips To Keep You Safe:
Having a faulty brake can prove fatal. Thus, using your car brakes correctly and taking utmost care of the brakes is a must.
Here are some tips to ensure that the brakes of your car function effectively for a long time.
1.Routine checks for the Brake and Brake Pads:
Ideally, you should have the car brakes, and brake pads inspected yearly. A worn-out brake pad reduces the efficiency of your brakes exponentially. However, suppose you experience squealing or clicking noises or notice that it takes a long time to bring the car to rest after applying brakes. In that case, it is usually an appropriate time to check on the brake and replace it if necessary.
2) Inspect brake fluid:
Car brake fluid transfers the heat to the whole brake system and allows force to be applied to the brakes. The brake fluid is generally yellow in colour and breaks down over time to a dark brown or black colour due to overheating. We have to replace the broken-down brake fluid to ensure the proper functioning of the car. Usually, the brake fluid needs to be changed every four years.
3) Keep an eye on signs that indicate problems with brakes:
Issues such as abnormal brake response, spongy brakes, squealing, and clicking noises may occur when the brake is applied. If you encounter any such situation, get the brakes checked by an auto care expert as soon as possible.
4) Driving at high speed:
While driving at high speed, if you intend to stop your car, slow down the vehicle before you apply the brakes to halt it. This ensures that your brakes are not subjected to high pressure. Using brakes at high speeds may damage the functioning of the brakes. Car brakes transform kinetic energy to heat energy; if you drive at high speed, the kinetic energy is consequently higher. When you apply the brakes, they generate a large amount of heat, which damages the brakes and causes the brake pad to wear down faster.
5) Don’t overload your car:
The heavier car has more momentum, so the brakes need to generate more force to stop it. Overloading increases the vehicle’s stopping time and causes wear and tear on the brakes.
6) Don’t use brakes when driving down a hill/slope:
When driving down the hill, please do not use the brakes as the downward slope will cause too much pressure on the car brakes, damaging them and wearing them out. Instead, while going down a hill, it is recommended to use engine braking, in which you have to slow down the vehicle by downshifting gears and stepping off the accelerator. Apart from the tips mentioned above, getting your brakes checked every 5,000 to 7,000 miles or every 4 to 6 months is always a good practice.
Conclusion
Brakes are undoubtedly one of a car’s most essential components, which keeps us safe from road accidents. We should often do brake maintenance and drive consciously to ensure that the car brakes are working efficiently. Regularly check your brake fluid for car mechanic near you. The brake fluid in your car is necessary to absorb water and deliver heat to every brake system component. If the liquid has a dark tint, it may be time to flush it.
Invest in high-quality, dependable brakes. Even though they may be slightly more expensive, they will ultimately benefit you in terms of longevity, efficiency, and safety.
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