Stay Safe on the Road: Importance of Car Brakes and When and How to Service and Inspect Them

Car Brakes are the most important part of the car in terms of safety of the driver and passengers in the vehicle. Break fail has been shown a lot in our Hindi movies which then lead to accidents. We often take the Braking system for granted, but when we suddenly have to stop the vehicle to avoid any accident, we actually realize the importance of the brakes of the cars.

Brakes are devices that stop something from moving, generally by applying force to a moving part that converts the movement’s energy into heat. In cars, there are two types of brakes. These are drum and disc brakes, both of which work by applying pressure to part of the wheel which stops movement. Improvements to braking technology are always being made.

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Anti-Lock braking technology adds additional safety to braking systems. The ABS is a mechanism that enables you to safely apply brakes effectively on a slippery surface and prevents skidding. It consists of speed sensors, pump, valves, and a controller and ensures additional safety if you are driving on wet roads, roads with oil spillage, or snow-clad roads.
On normal roads, you can drive your car without an ABS or EBD (Electronic Braking Device) and not face any issues. However, if you are driving car on slippery road surface, and have to apply emergency brakes, there is a high chance that your wheels will skid on the road surface and may lead to accidents. The ABS/EBD ensures uniform braking on all wheels in all types of weather. In the absence of ABS/EBD, you could experience differential braking leading the car to sway to either side in times of emergency braking.

Brake Inspection
You should get your brakes inspected every 6 months or every 5000 km.
Brake system inspection and servicing is crucial for any vehicle. Brake Discs, Brake Pads and Brake Lines are checked during inspection and serviced to avoid any breaking system malfunctioning. If you do not perform regular brake servicing, you can experience the following problems:
• Possibility of brake failure leading to accidents
• Brake pads getting worn out which can damage the brake disc
• Dust from brake pads can clog the piston and calliper pins
• Clicking sounds while braking due to wear and tear of calliper pins
If the vehicle makes a screeching noise when we engage the brakes, it could mean that the brake pads do not have any friction material left anymore, and now the exposed metal of the brake pad is rubbing against the metal of the rotor. If you are experiencing this sound, you need to urgently get your brakes inspected and possibly replace your brake pads, as ignoring this could lead to further irreversible damage to other parts of your braking system.

If the vehicle has become increasingly difficult to stop, and the brake pedal appears to travel much further than it used to, it could be due to Brake pads wearing out which is leading to lesser-than-desired friction when they are applied
• Failure of ABS on a slippery road
• Failure of booster
• Leakage in air pipes
If you sense this issue, it is time to get your brakes inspected.

Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid used in hydraulic clutch and hydraulic brakes. Most commonly used brake fluids today are glycol-ether based; however, we also have mineral oil and silicone-based brake fluids in the market. Brake fluid must be changed at least once every two years or after every 30,000 km

Brake Pads
There are four different types of brake pads available in the market:
• Semi-metallic pads
• Non-Asbestos Organic (NAO) pads
• Low-Metallic Non-Asbestos Organic Pads
• Ceramic Pads

Brake pads are typically expected to last:
• 30,000 km for automatic transmission cars
• 50,000 km for manual transmission cars
If you listen to squealing sounds or feel that the pressure on the brake lever has reduced or see a warning symbol on your speedometer, kindly get the brake pads checked to ensure your safety by having better braking performance.

Make sure you buy quality products even if it costs a little more because the only thing more important than your life is the life of your loved ones travelling with you. You can visit our website www.kwikfixauto.in and have an easier and hassle-free experience. We provide right guidance on the condition of the braking system in your car. We provide towing facility in case of brake failure. We also provide pick up and drop for your cars and provide world class servicing. Please feel free to call us on

+91 9950 345 345.