Get to Know More About the Functions, Types, and Importance of Caring for Car Brakes
Perhaps many of you still think that car brakes are only useful for stopping the vehicle. In fact, more than that, the brake function is actually designed to reduce the speed of the car and is a primary safety system in driving.
Therefore, car brakes become an important component that must be checked regularly. If they do not function properly, the consequences can be very fatal. For safety reasons, every vehicle owner must understand the brakes well to help in maintaining and repairing problematic brakes.
How do car brakes work?
Basically, the car engine converts heat energy into kinetic energy (motion) so that the vehicle can move. Well, the brakes work in the opposite way; the brake system converts kinetic energy back into heat energy to slow down the vehicle until it stops.
Brakes can work if there is a combined system of pressure against the rotational motion system. The braking effect is obtained from the friction caused by two objects.
Types of car brakes
As of now, there are at least three types of car brakes that are quite popular and used in conventional vehicles, namely disc brakes, drum brakes, emergency brakes, and the anti-lock braking system or known as ABS.
1. Disc brakes
Disc brakes consist of a steel disc and are equipped with a pad unit to clamp the disc. The braking system uses a hydraulic system or brake fluid pressure. Hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder causes the caliper (brake pad holder) to press the disc. This friction is what slows down and stops the car.
2. Drum brakes
Drum brakes are a braking system in vehicles that use a friction method between the pads and a bowl-shaped component. If in disc brakes the direction of friction tends to clamp, it is different with drum brakes which actually move away from each other.
When the brake is pressed, two brake pads will move outward (moving away from each other). This movement can cause the brake pads to press against the inner surface of the drum, resulting in friction that can slow down the rotation of the drum and wheel.
3. Emergency brake or handbrake
The emergency brake or handbrake is often referred to as a parking brake, because its function is often used to prevent the car from moving freely when parked. This brake can also be used in emergencies if the other brakes fail or are unresponsive.
There are many types of emergency brakes in cars, such as levers located between the driver and passenger, buttons, and pedal brakes. However, almost all emergency brakes are supported by cables that mechanically apply pressure to the wheels to slow down and stop the vehicle.
4. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
ABS brakes are a safety feature in modern vehicles to prevent the wheels from slipping or skidding when the driver applies the brakes. Its main function is to prevent the vehicle's wheels from locking and to avoid uncontrolled vehicle speed.
ABS brakes are needed in sudden braking conditions, rain that makes the road slippery, and braking when the car is moving at high speeds.
Car brake maintenance
As a vehicle owner, maintaining your car should not just be about washing it regularly or changing the oil. You should also check if the car brakes are functioning properly.
Many car owners pay little attention to the brake system, especially until it leads to disaster. Let's hope that doesn't happen!
Therefore, you need to understand how to maintain car brakes. It is important to know that car brakes consist of various components, namely discs, brake pads, anti-lock systems, and master cylinders.
These components support the strength, pressure, and friction of the brakes on the car wheels and must be maintained regularly. If you cannot maintain the car brakes yourself, it is better to leave it to an expert or your trusted car service technician.
1. Cleaning the discs and brake pads
The disc part on the car wheels has an open shape facing the road. This part is certainly vulnerable to exposure and accumulation of dust. This part must be cleaned regularly and checked routinely, especially if you often pass through dusty roads, puddles, mud, or during the rainy season. If the disc starts to rust, you can clean it with rust cleaner to keep its function optimal.
2. Car brake discs
Have you often heard a squeaking sound when you press the brake pedal? It may be that the surface of the brake pads or the car's discs is starting to wear down. One maintenance you can do is to sand the brake pads to keep their surface flat.
As a note, this condition can be done if the brake discs are still in good condition. If the mechanic says they are starting to wear down, you will have to replace them with new ones.
3. Check the condition of the calipers
The brake caliper part of the car is rarely damaged. However, there are several things that can reduce its performance, such as wobbly brakes or shifting brakes. These conditions cause the car to stutter when the brake pedal is pressed.
4. Change the lubricant
Changing the lubricant or brake fluid regularly is very important. Avoid having the brake fluid reservoir mixed with air as it can reduce the effectiveness of the car's braking. There is a certain time frame required to change the brake fluid, which is every 20,000 kilometers or at most two months. If it has turned dark, do not delay changing the brake fluid, okay?
5. Understand the symptoms present
When replacing car brake components, there is actually no standard for how often they should be replaced, as car drivers have different levels of brake usage. However, you should be sensitive to symptoms that indicate "something is not right." Signs of problematic car brakes include noticeable vibrations when braking. Then, when pressed, the brake pedal feels deep and there is a squeaking sound.
If the car shows these signs, immediately check it or perhaps there are components that need to be replaced. It could be the master brake, pads, or brake pads.
Proper braking techniques
In driving, the way you brake also affects the condition of the car brakes. Currently, there are two correct braking techniques so that the car brakes do not easily get damaged.
The first tip is to pay attention to the car's braking system. Does your beloved car already have an ABS system? If so, the braking technique is simply to press the pedal, and the car's brakes will automatically perform the pumping technique.
If it is not equipped with ABS, the car braking technique should be done with the pumping technique, which is the technique of reducing the car's speed by pressing and releasing the brake pedal alternately in quick succession, depending on the car's speed.
This pumping technique aims to prevent the brake components from overheating. Because when overheating occurs, the car brakes will automatically lock, and the car will not move at all. As a result, tire slippage or skidding occurs.
Author: Dinno Baskoro
