Fact or Fiction? Common Brake Repair Myths — Titan Auto & Tire

The Truth About Brake Repair

When you jam your foot against the brake pedal in a desperate effort to stop your vehicle before it slams into the truck whose driver just pulled out in front of you, you’re counting on your brakes. This isn’t the time to realize that your brakes aren’t in optimal condition because you acted on misinformation. If you’re not a mechanic, how do you know if what you’ve heard is fact or fiction? First, count on the certified technicians at Titan Auto & Tire in Chesterfield, Virginia. We operate from a Christian worldview, and we’ve earned a reputation for honesty and professionalism. We’ll be glad to fix your brakes regardless of what make or model car you drive. Second, we’ll outline the most common brake myths for you so that you feel more educated as a consumer.

Have You Heard These Rumors?

One common misconception is that any noise you hear during braking points to worn brake pads. While you may indeed hear squealing or scrubbing noises if they are worn, pads are not the only source of braking noise. Other potential issues include rotors, calipers, the auto body reacting to change, etc. Another so-called fact that turns out to be “all wet” is that driving in wet conditions increases your stopping distance. While this is true for the older drum brakes, it doesn’t apply to modern disc brakes. The force of the spinning rotors actually helps to sling water away from the brake contact area.

For everyday drivers, it’s also a myth that brake pads need to warm up to be effective. Although this is true for the specialized brakes found on certain race cars, brakes work well immediately–even cold–on your passenger vehicle. The thought that a damaged brake line causes a stuck or “dragging” brake usually isn’t correct either. If just one brake is giving trouble, there’s likely another cause such as a stuck caliper or emergency brake. Another misconception is that rotor discard/replacement specifications are a function of heat. In fact, the minimum specification is related to thickness, not temperature.

Hard and soft brake pads don’t refer to what you might guess. The descriptions indicate the method of achieving the friction needed to stop the vehicle, not the ability of the pad to compress. “Hard” pads are rough, causing friction, while “soft” pads employ torque and adhesion friction. Finally, Big Brother is not overseeing your brakes. There are no government regulations to cover performance of brake pads.

Accurate Information and Brake Repair

For accurate information about your brakes and trustworthy repair, bring your vehicle to Titan Auto & Tire in Chesterfield, Virginia. Be sure to check our “Specials” tab to save!