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How often do you drive on autopilot without really thinking about your vehicle, how its components work, or your route from point A to point B? If you’ve ever arrived at work but don’t exactly remember your commute, then you’re not alone. But what happens when your commute is interrupted by a burning smell, a shaky steering wheel, or a soft brake pedal? These are all signs that your brakes are bad and that it’s time to head on over to the dealership for your Toyota brake service.
Here at Romeoville Toyota, we’re happy to handle all your vehicle needs, and that includes your brakes, which are vital to your safety. We want you to get the most out of your vehicle, and that means understanding how your brakes work, why they’re important, and the warning signs that your brakes are bad. We’ll even share why we’re the best place to get your brakes replaced and checked. So, let’s put the pedal to the metal and get started!
When you think about your brakes, the action itself is fairly simple––you push the brake pedal, and your vehicle slows or stops. While that is the basic functionality of how your brakes work, there is a lot more going on within your vehicle to ensure that it is coming to a full and complete stop. After all, you don't actually have enough power in just your foot to stop a car going 50 miles per hour or more, but that's what it seems like when you press the brake pedal and the car slows; that's where all of the other components of the braking system come into play.
Whether your car utilizes drum brakes or disc brakes, the hydraulic system will be activated in order to engage the brakes and stop the vehicle. Once your foot comes into contact with the brake pedal, the force applied is multiplied by the leverage, which pushes a piston into a cylinder filled with brake fluid. As the piston moves, the brake fluid shifts and flows throughout the brake lines until reaching a larger cylinder near the steering wheel. As brake fluid enters the cylinder, the brake pad moves towards the brake, adding friction until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. While the overall function and action of a brake system are the same, its components will differ based on whether your vehicle has disc brakes or drum brakes.
Disc brakes are usually found on the front two wheels of most modernly produced vehicles. These brake systems are made of calipers that contain a set of brake pads, which are then installed on top of a circular rotor and assembled using lug nuts. Disc brakes are lightweight and easier to replace than drum brakes, which is why they have become more common over time. While they have a more streamlined and efficient design, disc brakes cannot be used as the main parking brake for a vehicle. The discs used within the brake apparatus contract and expand with the current weather patterns, which can result in the disc losing contact with the brake pad and disengaging the brake. While most cars only have disc brakes on the front wheels, higher-end models may have them on all four. In this instance, a single drum brake will be included in the vehicle in order to keep the car parked while off.
Disc brakes are utilized in vehicles for a number of reasons. Because the system is engineered to self-adjust based on the pressure put on the brakes, they generally require less maintenance than other components of your vehicle. Because they require fewer service visits, it is possible to repair brakes by replacing the brake pads, rotors, or discs rather than expensive and labor-intensive parts. Are you driving a high-performance vehicle like the Toyota Supra or GR86? Disc brakes are likely used for all four wheels due to their quick response time, leading to greater precision on the road.
There are several factors that have contributed to the growing popularity of disc brakes. Romeoville is exposed to all four seasons, from frigid winters to hot summers. Disc brakes perform well in wet and hot conditions due to the functionality of the system. Because the discs expand in heat, they require less pressure to engage on warmer days; however, constant exposure to high temperatures may result in permanent damage to the discs, reducing their stopping power. Disc brakes cool faster than drum brakes, minimizing the chance of warping. Rainy days aren’t a problem because moisture quickly washes off the disc rather than building up and preventing necessary friction.
Drum brakes are the original braking system available within tires, first introduced in 1900. The brake is housed in a round drum, with shoes on the right and left sides and a cylinder connected to the wheel. When activated, fluid will move from the master cylinder to the wheel cylinder, which presses the shoes against the drum itself, creating friction. The hardware within the system keeps the shoes in place against the side of the drum, preventing movement. Drum brakes continue to be used on the rear wheels of modern vehicles due to their higher braking force than disc brakes. Drum brakes also require less frequent maintenance due to the larger friction contact area and a lower force threshold to engage.
While drum brakes are less common now with the advent of disc brakes, they are still found in the back wheels of most sedans and SUVs. Drum brakes are more effective to use for parking due to the shoe wedging against the drum, which has a more solid grip when you try to move the wheel. Utilizing disc brakes on all four wheels requires a separate parking brake to be installed, which can be costly. Because drum brakes have a more expansive friction contact area than disc brakes, drum brakes last longer between replacements.
Making sure your vehicle is up-to-date on your brake service is important to its overall safety and functionality. Romeoville Toyota performs brake service, repairs, and replacement to most models, from the reliable Camry to the high-performing GR Supra. Our service technicians utilize Toyota factory parts to make sure each part of the brake works properly, keeping your vehicle as safe and effective as the day you took possession.
Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that transmits energy throughout your braking system, moving through different lines and cylinders to regulate heat and keep everything running smoothly. Without brake fluid, most modern Toyota vehicles would not be able to operate properly due to the hydraulic nature of the engine and brakes. Because care for the brake fluid is left vague in most owner manuals, many drivers are unsure how often it requires maintenance. At Romeoville Toyota, our service technicians will be able to check your brake fluid during your routine service visits.
While it is engineered to last longer than many solutions that contribute to the functionality of your vehicle, brake fluid is not meant or designed to last forever. There are several signs your brake fluid is in need of inspection and replacement. Modern Toyota vehicles are equipped with a computerized system that can detect functional changes, setting off a light on your dashboard to indicate an issue. When your brake fluid malfunctions, the ABS light will turn on. The ABS is the Anti-Lock Braking System, and the indicator means that you will need to bring your vehicle in to have your brake fluid topped off or, depending on the condition, replaced. Additional signals that something is wrong with your brake fluid match those when you may need a full brake replacement, which is why it is important to not ignore any new movements or sounds when you stop your vehicle.
One of the easiest ways to know that you need to have your brakes checked is when you see a warning light on your dashboard. This alert can mean that it’s time to have your brakes inspected or that your parking brake is engaged, the latter of which is easy to fix yourself by simply disengaging the brake. However, it’s important to know some other common signs that you might need new brakes or that it’s time to have your brakes serviced.
You’re driving down the road and engaging the brakes only to smell something burning. What does this mean? If you’re traveling down a steep road where you’ve had to brake hard repeatedly, a strong burning odor is a good indicator that your brakes are overheating. When this happens, it’s important to pull off the road and allow your brakes to cool since boiling brake fluid can cause brake failure. If you pull over and notice that smoke is coming from only one of the wheels, there’s a good chance that one of the brake calipers is stuck, which is something that needs immediate repair before you get back on the road.
High-pitched screeches and grinding are two of the most common sounds associated with brake problems. High-pitched sounds indicate that it’s time to replace your brake pads, while the grinding sound can mean several different things like worn brake pads or improper lubrication. Brake pads usually include a low pad indicator that will cause a high-pitched sound when the pads get too low. If you hear a grinding noise, it means the pads are gone, and the piston is digging into the rotor. It is far less expensive to replace your brake pads before your calipers and rotors are beyond repair.
A grinding sound can also be a simple problem like stuck gravel or rocks in the caliper, which is an easy fix. It can also signify that the rear brakes aren’t lubricated or that the rear brake shoe is rusted and, as a result, is scraping against other metal contact points. Whatever the case, it’s important to have a trusted service technician examine your brakes to remedy the issue and prevent further damage to vital components.
What do leaking fluid and sponges have to do with brakes? Fluid leaks are a common brake problem since brakes use a hydraulic system that requires fluid to work. When there’s a leak in the master cylinder or the piping, this limits the system from building enough pressure to power the brakes. While leaking fluid is a strong indicator of this problem, you can also tell by a spongy or soft brake pedal that engages with little resistance.
If your steering wheel or vehicle is wobbling or vibrating when you apply the brakes, it’s time to have your brakes checked. Shaking in the steering wheel indicates an uneven rotor, which is a serious issue since even the slightest difference in a rotor’s thickness can cause brake failure. To correct the issue, a service technician will even out and smooth the rotor according to your vehicle’s specifications.
The functionality of your brakes can affect other components of your vehicle that should be checked while in for service. If you think your brakes are starting to fade or malfunction, there are a few services you should get while they are checked.
An alignment will ensure that your wheels are even, which reduces wear on the tires as well as issues with your steering and suspension. Uneven wheels can cause your vehicle to drift to one side, limiting your control on the road and leading to further damage throughout the car. Based on the condition of your tires, a service technician may recommend replacement and balancing with an alignment.
An oil change is recommended in recent model years every 5,000-7,000 miles. By getting your oil change in conjunction with brake service, our technicians will be able to ensure that your engine is running smoothly. While your oil is being changed, our service technicians will be able to examine the three main filters in your car. It is recommended that you replace your oil filter during each oil change in order to make sure it is clear and free of debris, which can result in malfunctions throughout the engine. The fuel filter, which protects the fuel injection system, can go up to 90,000 miles without needing to be changed out, but it is still something you should have checked. Finally, the air filter removes dust and dirt from the breathable air within the cabin of your vehicle and should be changed out every other oil change.
The team at Romeoville Toyota is here to help with all your brake needs because our goal is to ensure your vehicle is working at its best for many years to come. That means taking care of all your service needs, which is why we’ve hired the best technicians for our service department. Our certified technicians know the ins and outs of every Toyota, which means no job is too big or too small.
Another great reason to use our service center is our promise to use genuine Toyota brake components whether you need rotors, drums, calipers, or shoes. Why is this important? Genuine Toyota parts are always tested and approved for the proper fit, form, and function. Our factory-trained technicians know how to install these components properly, and because they’re genuine Toyota parts, this means that your Toyota will stay a Toyota even under the hood.
Do your brakes need to be serviced? Whether your vehicle is showing signs that your brakes are bad or you’d like to get your brakes serviced for peace of mind, the team here at Romeoville Toyota is here to help. Our certified technicians will handle all your brake needs, whether your brake pads need to be replaced, your rotors need to be refinished, or a leak needs to be repaired. No job is out of our reach.
With our guarantee to use genuine Toyota parts as well as our commitment to delivering the best customer experience possible, it’s time to put your vehicle in hands you can trust. You can visit our dealership, meet the team, and schedule a service appointment or you can use our website to learn more about our specials and schedule brake service at your convenience. Whatever you need, the Romeoville Toyota team is here to help!
