It pays to know about your brakes when it comes to saving money. You may not think much of just a little squeal, but those little sounds and related vibrations can add up to an excellent deal of money in repairs later if left unchecked. Knowing how disc brakes and drum brakes work is important for each car owner, if for no other reason than to understand why they can quickly wear down if proper maintenance and driving techniques aren't applied.

Source of article: Know your brake basics to keep away from big repair bills by Car Deal Expert

Brake basics and the way brakes work

Brake basics really start with an understanding of it. When your foot depresses the brake pedal, a plunger in the master cylinder forces brake fluid through all of the tubes and to the braking unit attached to each of your car's wheels. That fluid enters a caliper at the wheel and applies pressure to a piston. That piston then squeezes the brake pads against the disc (rotor) that is attached to the side of the wheel. In drum brakes, the fluid enters the wheel cylinder and pushes brake shoes outward against the drum that is actually attached to the wheel. The car eventually stops after slowing. Repeated brake applications can sometimes cause a buildup of heat from friction, and these forces cause brake pads and other elements to wear down over time.

How worn are all of your brakes?

You will find signs to indicate car breaks wearing. As there is typically no set number of miles over which a set of brakes is intended to function, a driver must make a brake check part of their regular auto maintenance routine. Consult your owner's manual for some info on suggested maintenance schedules, but you are able to just watch for cues and keep your service records. Some brakes last only a year if they're cheap or you habitually stomp on your brakes instead of easing into stops. Higher quality brakes mixed with gentle driving techniques can extend the life of a set of brakes by as much as a few years.

Why to keep away from waiting to fix breaks?

Living with speaks, squeals and grinding will ultimately lead to damaged rotors, drums and calipers. Replacing all of these parts can run a repair bill as high as $ 1,000 or more. However, catching a brake problem early might only require new brake shoes or a simple resurfacing of the shoes you already have. That might come out to only a tenth of the cost for replacing everything.

Ultimately, brakes will fail, which can result in accident, injury and even death. As Click and Clack of "Car Talk" explained it, don't make your mechanic's next boat payment. Early within the game you need to prevent it.

Brake basics of much dysfunction - Signs to recognize

Is there a flashing brake warning light? Hear a grinding sound? These are warning signs. If the steering wheel or brake pedal shakes when braking, be warned. If your car pulls one way and calls for more time to stop, you have more reason than ever to take your car in to a mechanic. You can save money and your life.

Citations:

Car Talk

cars.cartalk.com/content/advice/brakes.html

Family Car Parts

familycar.com/brakes.htm

Do your brakes feel spongy whenever you stop? Time to bleed them!

youtube.com/watch?v=LgxMfQUMdJY