When you’re a driver in Arizona, you rely on countless automotive systems to get you to your destination safely. One essential system in your car is the brake system. If your brakes aren’t working properly, you could find yourself in serious trouble before you know it.
Setting up annual brake checks at a trustworthy Arizona brake shop is the best way to avoid this situation. Superior Tire Inc. proudly offers brake services to people in Bullhead City, Fort Mohave, Golden Valley, and Kingman, AZ. If your brakes need a quick fix at an affordable rate, head to your nearest Superior Tire location to get it done!
A functional braking system is a requirement for any motor vehicle. Without high-quality brakes, your car will be harder to control at best. At worst, it could quickly get involved in a devastating crash.
For that reason, you shouldn’t choose a brake shop at random. Instead, you’ll want to look for a qualified business with a strong local history. Since 1979, Superior Tire has given Arizona residents the best brake services available anywhere in the state. Whether you need a simple brake check or an in-depth brake repair, our team of ASE-certified mechanics knows how to make your brakes good as new.
When you bring your car to Superior Tire for brake services, our mechanics will start by visually inspecting your brakes and hydraulic system. That will give them the information they need to begin working on brake services. Depending on your car’s needs, we can:
Your brake system has the indispensable job of safely slowing and stopping your vehicle. To help it do that job, you’ll need to make an effort to maintain this system and replace worn-out components. That means taking any potential issues with your brakes seriously—if you ignore them, these problems will only get worse.
Make a point of protecting your car’s brakes by setting up yearly inspections of this system at a trusted auto shop. During these appointments, ASE-certified mechanicstechnicians can take a close look at your brakes and take care of any maintenance issues that have arisen over the past year. (And if you live in a hilly area or often drive in city traffic, scheduling these appointments more frequently than usual may be a good idea.)
Keeping your parking brake off while driving, getting regular brake fluid checks, and other common-sense steps can help extend your brake system’s lifespan. That said, you also need to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of severe brake issues. Set up an appointment for brake repair when you notice:
Since Superior Tire is a full-service brake shop, you won’t need to fix your brakes yourself when choosing us for the job. Still, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with the basic workings of your car’s brake system. While the earliest automotive brake systems were relatively simple, the same is not true today. Modern brakes have evolved considerably over the past 100+ years, and that increased complexity comes with improved stopping power.
The exact components included in your brake system will differ based on your car’s make and model. That said, these systems do share some common traits. Here, you can learn all about the most crucial elements of your vehicle’s brake system and how they all work together.
Simply put, the master cylinder functions as a pressure converter that responds to the pressure created when you hit your car’s brake pedal. When this happens, the master cylinder takes that physical pressure and changes it to hydraulic pressure. That, in turn, sends brake fluid to your wheel brakes.
Two different channel types have the job of sending brake fluid to the braking units at each of your vehicle’s wheels. These channels are steel-braided brake lines and shockproof brake hoses.
Your wheel cylinders are surrounded by pistons connected to the brake shoes. Brake pressure forces them out of their resting position and pushes them into the brake drum. Calipers work similarly in systems that use brake pads. In either case, these components put pressure on the friction materials in a brake system.
If you have a disc brake system, your car’s calipers are pressurized by fluid sent to the braking units by the master cylinder. The pistons then push the brake pads against the rotors, which will stop the vehicle. Meanwhile, brake shoes do the same job in cars with rear drum brakes.
Now, let’s put all these brake components together to see how they work. As soon as you push down on your vehicle’s brake pedal, that pressure sends brake fluid through the lines and hoses. When it reaches the braking units at each wheel, the calipers, cylinders, and friction materials are activated. The fluid can get this far without losing pressure or motion, since it can’t be compressed once it leaves the master cylinder.
However, brake systems can be plagued by air in your brake fluid. Unlike this fluid, air can be compressed; as a result, you might notice a “spongy” feeling while braking. If that happens in your system, all you need to do is to remove unwanted air with the bleeder screws on each of your wheel cylinders.
This is just one of many problems that can arise in brake systems. Along with that, your brake pads or shoes could wear out, fluid could start to leak from your brake lines, and your calipers could corrode. If you’re in Arizona, let the qualified mechanics at Superior Tire take care of all these issues and many more!
It’s hard to find an Arizona-area driver who doesn’t know just how vital motor oil is to their vehicle’s well-being. But while other auto fluids don’t get quite as much publicity, they still have crucial roles to play in your car, and this is certainly the case for brake fluid. Brake fluid is an indispensable part of your brake system; without it, your brakes simply wouldn’t be able to do their job correctly.
Of course, brake fluid resembles other auto fluids in that it won’t last forever. When its additives wear out, or it starts to collect dirt, your brake fluid will become far less effective. That’s when you need fresh brake fluid to keep your system running as it should, but it’s best to make sure you’re actually due for new fluid before getting these brake services.
When creating your brake fluid replacement schedule, starting with your manufacturer’s recommendation is a good idea. But these recommendations can vary significantly. Your manufacturer may recommend getting new brake fluid:
Furthermore, some manufacturers offer no brake fluid replacement recommendations at all. If you need help figuring out how often you should add brake fluid to your vehicle, ask the crew at Superior Tire Inc. for help!
It’s not easy to overstate the importance of your vehicle’s braking system. In fact, this system is on par with your engine and transmission when it comes to keeping your Arizona-area car in working order and avoiding disaster. But, like any other auto component, your brakes can run into all kinds of problems, and they will need professional attention when that happens.
In most cases, your car’s warning light should turn on to let you know your brakes are starting to encounter issues. Still, this isn’t the only red flag you should be aware of. Along with taking warning lights seriously, be on the lookout for these signs of brake trouble:
Any of these signs can point to serious issues with your brake system, so you shouldn’t ignore them. Instead, pull over to the side of the road as soon as you can do so safely. Then, set up an appointment for brake repair at your closest Superior Tire location.
Your vehicle’s brake system is a complicated collection of multiple interworking components. As you might expect, if any of these parts run into trouble, it could affect the entire system’s ability to do its job. Taking this into account, it’s crucial to check your brakes if you suspect something has gone wrong.
There are countless causes of brake failure, but some are more common than others. Some of the brake problems that the team at Superior Tire regularly encounters include:
When you read about brake replacement, you can usually assume that this refers to replacing brake pads, and it’s not hard to understand why. These parts are intended to generate the friction responsible for stopping your vehicle, meaning your brake pads are directly exposed to that very friction. With this in mind, brake pads need to be replaced at least every 10,000 to 20,000 miles to avoid excess wear.
Other brake components, like rotors, have a considerably longer service life. You should replace these components every 50,000 to 70,000 miles to keep your brakes running smoothly. If you’re unsure whether or not it’s time to replace your rotors or brake pads, look for the telltale signs of brake trouble, where these parts could easily be at fault.
No Arizona drivers want to neglect their brake pads, but with so many other auto maintenance tasks to focus on, it’s easy to let this fall to the wayside. Fortunately, worn brake pads can grab your attention in several ways, such as:
If all else fails, you can have your brake system inspected by the professionals at Superior Tire. We’ll measure your brake pad depth as part of this process. If your brake pad depth is under a quarter-inch, you’re overdue for a replacement set.
In most cases, you’ll need new brake pads well before you need new rotors because the former components have a shorter service life than the latter. Of course, rotors don’t have an indefinite lifespan, either. To make sure you’re protecting your brake system’s well-being, just keep an eye out for signs of brake trouble and visit your nearest Superior Tire location if the need arises.
There are multiple reasons why this could be the case, not all of which are directly related to your brake system. While brake issues are the most common cause of this, it may also be the result of:
Since there are so many factors that could potentially cause your car to shake, it’s not worth spending time trying to figure it out yourself. Instead, bring your car into one of Superior Tire’s multiple Arizona locations for service. No matter what your issue is, you can rest assured knowing we’ll be able to take care of it right away. Plus, you’ll be able to save big on this job by exploring our wide range of brake specials!
There’s no shame in wanting to save on any type of auto service, including brake repair and other types of brake maintenance. To avoid paying for these services, some drivers put off necessary repairs for months on end. If you fall into this category, it’s time to think about setting up those repairs. While paying for brake maintenance may sting right now, it’s far cheaper than the repairs you’ll need if you ignore your brakes indefinitely.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay a fortune for brake maintenance. At Superior Tire, we provide a selection of online coupons for these services and others. To save even more, sign up for our rewards program!
Are you an Arizona resident looking for brake pad replacement, brake repair, or any other type of brake service? If that’s the case, Superior Tire Inc. is ready to assist. As the area’s top destination for brake repair and brake maintenance, we can get your brakes back in shape before you know it. Get started by filling out our online appointment form today!
Do you need any other type of automotive repair in Arizona? You don’t need to look for another AZ auto repair shop for these services—Superior Tire can help. And if you’re planning to shop for new tires, you’re in the right place!