Jun 7, 2024

If you want to remain safe while out on the road, never neglect to service your car’s brakes. Your number one defense against the risk of brake failure is regular maintenance. Here’s what to expect during routine brake service at your local Volkswagen dealership.

VW Brake Services: Ensuring Your Safety on the Road

Inspection of Each Brake Component 

The key brake components in most vehicles are the brake pads, rotor discs, and calipers. The brake pads and rotors steadily wear down and should be examined frequently. If either component is excessively worn or damaged, it must be replaced. The technician will raise the vehicle to remove each wheel, caliper, rotor, and pad to conduct their inspection.

You’ll usually know when a brake pad is reaching the end of its life; when the friction layer is almost gone, brake pads are designed to emit a piercing squealing sound. Rotors tend to last longer than brake pads. When a rotor becomes scored or bent out of shape, you’ll usually feel pulsating vibrations through the brake pedal and sometimes also the steering wheel. 

Brake Fluid Checked or Flushed

During each inspection, the technician will also check your brake fluid. If the fluid is low, they’ll search the brake lines for possible leaks. Any leaks will need to be repaired and the fluid topped up before your car is safe to drive again. Low or leaking brake fluid can reduce your car’s stopping power as the pressurized brake fluid transfers the brake signal from the brake pedal to the braking mechanism at each wheel. 

If your brake fluid is ever low or leaking, you may feel a soft, spongy sensation in the brake pedal and your car’s stopping distances might lengthen. As air and moisture can sometimes make their way into brake lines, the technician might also bleed your lines to get rid of these contaminants. Brake fluid usually needs to be flushed and replaced entirely every year or two. 

Lubrication Applied To the Calipers

The piston seals and other moving parts in the brake calipers and wheel cylinders can be protected against wear and tear with lubrication. The technician may apply lubrication as required to increase the longevity of your brakes. It’s best to leave this to a professional, as you wouldn’t want to accidentally apply lubrication to a brake pad or rotor, which could reduce the friction required to stop your car. 

Visit Your Volkswagen Dealer Twice a Year for a Brake Inspection

It’s generally recommended to have brakes serviced twice a year. If your regular driving conditions or habits put excess strain on your car’s brakes, consider having them serviced four times a year instead.

Visit Demontrond VW in Houston, TX, today to have your brakes repaired and serviced by experienced professionals. We provide the drivers of Houston and the surrounding region with top-notch cars, deals, and customer care.