You Don’t Need To Wait For Fall For New Brakes

Is Summer a Good Time For New Brakes?

Just about everyone loves summer in Ontario—and for very good reason. The entire team at Barrie Nissan wants to make sure you have the best chance to do everything you want to do this summer by helping you keep your vehicle safe and reliable. Summer driving brings some different challenges to owners. So, is summer a good time for new brakes? Our team says this is a great time to have your brakes replaced, or at least inspected, before you hit the road. Let’s take a closer look at some helpful information you may need.

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Why is Summer Harder on Brakes?

Properly dissipating heat is a big part of what a car, truck or SUV needs to do to operate safely. Under the best circumstances, a vehicle’s braking system gets very hot just through normal use. Summer heat can exacerbate the issue. Brakes are under extra stress during the summer because:

• Heat generated by applying the brakes gets amplified by the high ambient temperatures, increasing wear.
• Brakes that overheat lose effectiveness, known as brake fade. Additionally, excessively high temperatures can actually cause brake fluid to boil, causing air to be introduced to the system, which also reduces brake effectiveness.
• If your brakes are already worn to the point of replacement, the heat of the summer can further expose these problems to the point of catastrophic failure.

How Do You Know If Brakes Need to Be Replaced?

Because a vehicle’s brakes are so important, they are designed to let drivers know something is wrong before something catastrophic happens. Some of the signs that your brakes might need some professional attention include:

• Squealing or grinding when applying the brakes
• Pedal feels soft or spongy
• It takes longer for the car, truck or SUV to stop
• Car pulls to one side while braking
• A brake warning light activates

If you are planning a long trip and would like the peace of mind of knowing your vehicle can handle it, make an appointment for a summer vehicle inspection at the Barrie Nissan Service Department.