Too Hot? Too Loud? Too Slow?

by RaeAnn Hayward | Aug 2, 2019 | Auto Shops, Car Care Tips, NARPRO, Safety

(PHOENIX) – The Valley’s summer temperatures can be tough on tires, but your car’s brakes can also take a beating. Under extreme conditions, operating temperatures of brake components can top 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says regardless of how fast drivers are going, they take the same amount of time to react. And as speed doubles, stopping distance quadruples. Speeding accounted for more than one in four traffic deaths in 2017.

Now, consider all the stoplights and crowded freeways you regularly encounter. You don’t want to risk unreliable brakes.

In recognition of August being Car Brake Safety Month, your Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals (NARPRO) are sharing information about spotting and stopping brake trouble.

Warning signs:

Your car pulls to the left or right while braking.
The brake pedal feels spongy or soft or too high and hard.
You feel a vibration when braking.
You hear squealing or grinding noises when braking.
Your wheels lock during braking.
Brake warning light appears.
Odor when braking
Front tires are darker than rear tires.

A thorough inspection should include:

Brake fluid level
Pads
Rotor thickness
Brake lines
Hoses
Brake lights and warning lights
Taking the car for a test drive

How to handle brake failure:

Temporary failure often occurs when a car hydroplanes.
If you’re hydroplaning you should first take your foot off the accelerator then turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction. Do not pump the brakes.
If your brakes fail it is safe to use your parking brake if you’re traveling slower than 30 mph.

NARPRO (Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals): The Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals (NARPRO) helps car owners find skilled and honest car repair shops. NARPRO only recommends independent, family-owned, full-service auto repair shops that have passed 26 rigorous tests. Visit www.NARPRO.com to find recommended shops near work or home. NARPRO is the easiest way to find an honest mechanic in the Valley.