How Often Should Your Car Get Brake Service?

Your braking system is the hardest-working component of your car’s safety mechanism, so it’s important to make sure that it has everything it needs. Regular brake service with your GMC dealer is one way to guarantee that you’ll always have stopping power and precision control, but for the safest and most cost-effective maintenance schedule, you’ll need to get the intervals right.

How Often Should You Book a Brake Service With Your GMC Dealer?

A service will involve inspection of the braking system, including the brake pads, calipers, lines, and hoses. The pads and shoes are relatively inexpensive to replace and will prevent costly damage by protecting the metal components from abrasion, so you should always schedule a checkup before they have a chance to wear out.

Time Your Service

Regardless of your driving conditions and habits, the brake pads will eventually wear down, so it’s important to stay alert to their condition. They should be checked at least once a year, and many drivers will schedule their service alongside their six-monthly oil change and tire rotation. 
If you’d rather watch your odometer than a calendar, then brake pads should last between 25,000 and 65,000 miles. This range is quite wide, however, so factor in the other variables when deciding on the best intervals for a checkup.

Check Your Driving Habits

Certain driving styles will put more pressure on the braking system than others, so be honest with yourself about your habits. If you rely heavily on the brakes to decelerate, or if you’re prone to late, sharp stops, then you’ll wear your brake components out more quickly and will need to shorten the wait between inspections.

Evaluate the Conditions

Some driving conditions will also shorten the lifespan of your braking components. Extreme high or low temperatures, heavy traffic with stop-start driving, steep mountainous roads, sharp turns, a heavy payload, and sandy, dusty, or wet driving conditions will all put more pressure on the brake pads, so adjust the timing of your service to reflect this.  

Stay Alert to Warning Signs

If things aren’t right in your braking system, your vehicle will let you know. Strange noises are one clue, with a screeching, squealing, or low rumbling sound when the brakes are applied. A vibrating or spongy pedal, a sluggish response when braking, or the loss of that precision control during maneuvers are other signals that you need to schedule an appointment immediately.
As well as protecting your own safety and the health of your vehicle, a suitable brake maintenance routine will give you peace of mind. Life’s too short to worry about things that can be easily fixed, so call us at Crain Buick GMC and trust us to give your vehicle’s brakes the very best of care.

Posted in Conway Buick Service, Conway GMC Dealer, Conway GMC Service, Conway Used Cars, Crain Buick GMC, Crain Buick GMC Service | No Comments »