Brake inspections are a necessary means of ensuring your safety. When inspecting your brakes, we make sure your pads and rotors aren’t worn, your brake fluid isn’t contaminated, and your sensors are properly connected and functioning with the ABS and stability system. Brake inspections are recommended for your Audi, and oil changes every 5,000 miles or six months. This is often cheap insurance to prevent catastrophic brake failure. Brake parts wear as they are doing the work of slowing your vehicle. Pads and rotors lose a small amount of their material whenever you brake and need to get replaced once they reach the wear and tear limit specified by Audi. Brakes wear at different rates depending on highway miles vs. stop-and-go driving and other factors. Due to this, regular inspections are essential. These symptoms can often indicate brake problems:
- A grinding or squealing sound when braking.
- Vibration or pulling to one side during braking.
- More pressure than usual is needed to depress the brake pedal.
- A spongy brake pedal along with increased pedal travel.
- A “Brake Service Required” light on your Audi’s dashboard.
Also, with regular pad and rotor service, the brake fluid must be regularly replaced. This specialized fluid transfers your pedal braking force to the brake pads at each wheel, supplying you with the braking action you would like. Heat is generated once you use your brakes. The heat is dissipated into the brake fluid; it must absorb much heat before it boils. But brake fluid requires a regular drain and fill service because it absorbs moisture and other contamination. This leads to lowering the boiling point of the brake fluid. Water within the brake fluid causes rust in your internal brake parts, requiring them to get replaced before their time. If you brake hard descending a hill old, water-containing brake fluid may boil, leading to brake fade. Driving in hot climates makes this more likely. Bubbles within the boiling brake fluid mean the pedal must travel farther to accomplish an equivalent brake force. If this continues, it can cause a complete breakdown (ineffective brakes). Due to these possibilities, periodic brake inspections and brake fluid changes must be completed for your security. Wheel sensors work together with your anti-lock braking system (ABS) and stability control to stop loss of control in slippery conditions. Our mechanic will ensure they’re working as new when the brakes are inspected. Finally, regular emergency brake adjustments must be made. Due to brake wear, slack within the emergency brake occurs, which must be adjusted for the hand (emergency) brakes to work dependably. At Fremont Foreign Auto, we have dedicated brake repair experts. Call us at 510-793-6067 or visit our website to request a quote and book a meeting for a brake inspection or any auto service you need.