Back to all

Braking News: Keep Your Stopping Power

June 26, 2016

Richard Petty once told AutoNetTV, “You've gotta have good brakes. If you've got good brakes you can keep yourself out of a lotta trouble.”

That's why a regular brake inspection is on every Fort Mill driver's maintenance schedule. An inspection by your service advisor at Tuffy Charlotte Metro will check your brake system and let you know if there are any problems.

Of course, if you're having trouble with your brakes, get your car into Tuffy Charlotte Metro in Fort Mill right away. Here are some symptoms for Fort Mill drivers to watch for:

  • Low or spongy brake pedal
  • Hard brake pedal
  • A brake warning light that stays on
  • Constantly squealing or grinding brakes
  • Vibrations or clunking sounds when you apply your brakes

If you are experiencing any of these, it's time to get your brakes checked. Talk to your friendly and knowledgeable service advisor at Tuffy Charlotte Metro .

There are two types of brakes: disc and drum. Disc brakes have a rotor that's attached to the axle. Calipers straddle the rotor, kind of like the brakes on a bicycle.

Drum brakes are most common on back wheels. Both types have pads or shoes that press against the brakes and slow the vehicle. Brake pads and shoes are made out of very tough material to withstand the heat and force generated when stopping your vehicle. Eventually, they wear out with use and become too thin and need to be replaced at Tuffy Charlotte Metro. 

If the brake pads wear away completely, you can damage the rotors. The calipers can grind grooves in the rotor. Then the rotor must either be resurfaced or replaced. That's not only expensive but also dangerous because your vehicle won't stop as quickly. Sometimes rotors warp or crack and must be replaced.

A brake service at Tuffy Charlotte Metro will also include a check of your brake fluid. When the brakes are applied, the pressure in the fluid activates the brake pads or shoes. Not enough fluid means not enough pressure to brake properly. Also, water builds up in the brake fluid over time, which leads to corrosion, leaks and brake damage, and with hard use, the brakes could severely fade or even fail. Fort Mill  drivers should change the brake fluid when their  vehicle manufacturer recommends to avoid these problems.

Come in to Tuffy Charlotte Metro for an brake inspection before damage occurs. You can call ahead for an appointment by calling 803-802-2466.

Tuffy Charlotte Metro
9909 Charlotte Highway
Fort Mill, SC 29715
803-802-2466
http://www.tuffyftmill.com

More articles from Tuffy Fort Mill

Another Couple of Years: Making Your Vehicle Last With Help From Tuffy Fort Mill

April 21, 2024

A while back, the Cash for Clunkers program was all over the SC news. Fort Mill people could trade in their old vehicle for a new one that got better gas mileage and receive a government rebate. A lot of Fort Mill motorists had so-called clunkers that they wanted to keep. They're good commuters,... More

More than Pads and Rotors (Brake Caliper Replacement)

April 14, 2024

You might be familiar with brake pads and rotors, two components of your vehicle's brakes that have to be regularly serviced. Here's another important component of your brakes: the calipers. Calipers are used in disc brakes, the type of brakes now found in most recently manufactured vehicles. A... More

Road Ready (Trip Inspection)

April 7, 2024

Maybe you've been cooped up for a while and are yearning for a change of scenery. Or maybe you need to visit a relative who lives far away. You choose not to fork out the big bucks for airline tickets, so it's time for a road trip. Make sure you're road ready by having your vehicle professiona... More