The Importance of Brake Maintenance for Collision Prevention

All drivers want to avoid collision repairs if possible. It’s an inconvenience and it’s expensive. Sometimes we use “collision repair” as a synonym for any kind of auto body repair; many components can break for myriad reasons, not just a collision. However, to take it for its literal meaning, a collision repair happens after a collision.

Collisions are obviously dangerous, and they’re sometimes even fatal. Anything you can do to avoid getting in a collision is good, and a big part of collision avoidance is brake maintenance. Going to a collision repair shop for maintenance is much preferable to going there for collision repair.

Collision prevention

There are two principal methods for avoiding an automobile collision: careful driving and vehicle maintenance. Let’s go over each.

Preventing a collision while driving

Cautious, defensive driving is key if you want to avoid hitting something or getting hit. Here are some tips to drive safer:

• Drive slowly: Many of us tend to speed on the highway. Exceeding the speed limit—even if only by 5–10 kilometers per hour—increases the destructive capacity of a collision.
• Stay focused: It’s easy to get distracted when driving. Phone calls, chatting with passengers, daydreaming, and listening to music, podcasts, or talk radio can all cause our minds to drift away. It’s important to be vigilant with our attention.
• Stay calm: Other drivers or things in our lives may annoy us when we’re behind the wheel, but it’s vital to keep a level head while driving.
• Check your mirrors and blind spots: We can all get into bad habits. Sometimes we’re alone on the road, so we don’t check our mirrors or blind spots when turning or changing lanes. But you never know; one time there might be someone there, and the consequences could be dire.
• Use your signals: It’s always wise to communicate with other drivers. Don’t forget to use your signals.

Preventing a collision before driving

There’s lots we can do in between the times we’re driving. This mostly comes down to maintenance.

• Ensure you have the right fluids: It’s smart to check your automotive fluids regularly. These include motor oil, transmission fluid, and windshield wiper fluid. The latter is inexpensive and especially easy to refill, so it makes sense to keep extra fluid in your trunk so you can top it up when you need it.
• Maintain tire care: Your tires are integral to safe driving. For most Canadians, it’s highly advisable to use winter or all-weather tires in winter. Regular tire inspection and rotation can avoid uneven tire wear.
• Get routine checkups: It can’t hurt to get your entire vehicle checked out every year or two. It costs much less than a full-blown collision repair and you get the peace of mind of knowing your vehicles in good working order after a tune-up.
• Don’t neglect brake maintenance: A comprehensive tune-up should include brake maintenance. However, it’s beneficial to pay special attention to your brakes.

Why is brake maintenance so important?

Your vehicle is equipped with many safety features, such as airbags, turn signals, headlights, and seatbelts. However, no safety mechanism is as important as your brake system. Every vehicle needs to be able to slow down and stop, sometimes suddenly.

Without consistent brake maintenance, you can’t know if your brakes will perform in an emergency. Not only is brake maintenance much cheaper than a full collision repair, it keeps you, your passengers, and others safe.

What does brake maintenance involve?

Here are some key steps for brake maintenance:

Pay attention to your bakes

It’s wise to focus on how your brakes respond. A soft or spongy brake pedal could indicate a problem, such as air in the brake lines. A hard pedal could result from a problem with the brake booster or master cylinder.

It’s also smart to listen to unusual noises. Squealing or grinding might mean your brake pads are worn. Addressing this early can avoid more expensive auto body repair later. Also, when you check your brake fluid, which you should do regularly, remember not just the level of the fluid, but also its color. If it’s dark or murky, you might need a brake flush.

A brake fluid flush

A brake fluid flush involves completely removing old or contaminated brake fluid from the system and replacing it with fresh fluid. This ensures that the hydraulic system functions properly and prevents potential damage. A fluid flush can correct problems associated with moisture absorption, debris in the brake line, and low hydraulic pressure. Many vehicles need a flush every two to three years.

Brake line inspection and repair

Auto body repair technicians check for leaks, corrosion, or damage in the brake lines to ensure proper hydraulic pressure throughout the system.

Brake pad replacement

This is a common auto body repair service. Brake pads wear down frequently and need replacement to maintain braking performance and prevent damage to rotors.

Rotor resurfacing or replacement

Rotors can develop grooves or become warped because of heat and friction. Resurfacing smooths out the surface, but if they’re too thin, replacement is necessary.

Caliper service

Calipers apply pressure to the brake pads, pressing them against the rotor. Collision repair technicians can check them for sticking, leaking, or seizing to see if they must clean or rebuild them.

Parking brake adjustment

Whether it’s a mechanical handbrake or an electronic system, the parking brake requires occasional adjustment to ensure it holds the vehicle securely.

Avoid expensive auto body repair

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care. If you take care of your brakes, they’ll take care of you. It’s always better if you only need maintenance at the collision repair shop, and not a complete collision repair.