How Do I Know When It's Time To Change My Brakes?

Is it time for brakes? If you're not sure then ask yourself a few simple questions. Has it been a long time since I last had them checked out? Do I drive my car a lot? Am I an aggressive driver? Do I slam on my brakes often? Do I hear any strange squeaking noises when I use my brakes? If the answer to any of these questions is yes then I recommend to have them looked at as soon as possible by a professional mechanic.

How long should my brakes last? Most people asking this question expect an answer that tells them how many miles they can drive before it's time to change them. Unfortunately it's not that simple. Brakes are a big safety issue and if they don't feel right or they are noisy don't put off having a mechanic check them out because you think you didn't get a certain amount of miles out of them. Consider these questions when making a decision on having your brakes checked or replaced.

• How much do I use my car? Is it my daily driver? If yes, how far do I drive everyday? How far do I drive to and from work? Is it a hobby car? Do I only drive it on weekends?
• Did I add any performance enhancing parts to my car? If you did it's a smart idea to make sure that the brakes are all at an equal caliber. When adding these parts it's a good idea to replace the brakes to complement the increased power.
• When was the last time I had my brake pads and rotors replaced? How about the brake fluid? When was the last time I had the brake lines checked? Brake fluid and brake lines are part of the brake system and should also be checked.

A lot of different things factor into the wearing of your brakes. If you are just not sure if it's time to replace them then bring it to an auto repair shop to have a professional mechanic look at them.

Eurasian Service Center
8501-2B Tyco Road
Vienna, VA 22182
703-893-3045
www.eurasianservicecenter.com