How to test your brakes in a safe environment
Your car's brakes are one of its most important safety features. Choosing the correct car servicing intervals will help, but there are also steps you can take yourself.
Whilst a successful MOT offers reassurance that those brakes are functioning as expected, it is crucial to keep an eye on their performance throughout the year. Choosing the correct car servicing intervals will help, but there are also steps you can take yourself.
Even with little or no mechanical knowledge, you can check the performance of your brakes. To begin with, find a safe place to conduct the test. Making sure there is no-one behind you, accelerate to around 30mph and then brake to a stop. The brake pedal should depress smoothly, without pulsing or juddering. If it is safe to do so, you can also conduct this test at higher speeds. If your brakes do judder or pulsate, the problem may lie with the rotors.
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Obviously, you can take the car to a garage and ask a technician to examine the rotors, but if you're feeling confident, you might want to check for yourself. To do so, wait until the car's engine is cold and remove one of the front wheels. Use a compass and a tape measure to assess the thickness of the brake pad. When new, the pad should be around a half inch in thickness. Obviously, this measurement decreases with use, and it is not until the pad reaches around 1/8 inch in thickness that it needs replacing. It is sensible to take a number of measurements down the length of the pad. These different measurements ought not to vary by more than 1/16 inch. More significant variation indicates that the calliper requires servicing. The last step in this process is to examine the rotor disc for any grooves that could affect its functioning.
A common brake safety issue of which to be aware is the effect of driving through floodwaters. As a general rule, do not attempt to drive through water you could not comfortably walk through. Only six inches of water is sufficient to reach the bottom of many cars. Once you're out of the water, test your brakes while driving slowly. They may need drying off by further light braking whilst driving slowly.
If you're unsure about anything, or are asking yourself the question when should my car be serviced, why not pop along to your local Protyre garage for a free vehicle check from our technicians? With a national network of over 100 garages, you're sure to be close to your nearest Protyre garage. If your vehicle fails an MOT, we're also happy to conduct free MOT retests.
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Tyres are essential for keeping your car safe and performing at its best, but with so many options out there, it can be tough to know where to start. That's where our informative articles come in – we're here to help you navigate the world of tyres and make the best choice for your specific needs.
Whether you're considering upgrading to Premium car tyres for enhanced driving dynamics, run flat car tyres for added peace of mind, or trying to decide between summer car tyres and winter car tyres, Protyre can help. Our articles have got you covered with a wide range of tyre-related topics to help you make informed decisions.
The brand you choose matters too. We offer recommendations for trusted names such as BF Goodrich tyres, Bridgestone tyres, Continental tyres, Dunlop tyres, Falken tyres, General tyres, Goodyear tyres, GT Radial tyres , Hankook tyres, Michelin tyres, Pirelli tyres, Runway tyres, Sumitomo tyres, and Toyo tyres. But our articles don't just focus on choosing the right tyres – we also offer practical advice for maintaining them. From simple tips like checking your tread depth and keeping your tyres inflated to the proper pressure, to more advanced topics like extending tyre life through regular rotation and balancing - we've got you covered!
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