Mercedes-Benz of Honolulu
818 Kapiolani Boulevard Honolulu, HI 96813Sales: (888) 554-6281
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The Truth Behind Brake Wear and Noise
Brake Wear and Noise
By, Mercedes-Benz of Honolulu
Have you ever wondered what causes brake squeak or why some brakes wear out faster than others? The following information may give you a better understanding of all that's involved.
The braking system is the single most important safety system on your automobile. It has the capability of converting large amounts of kinetic energy into heat energy within a matter of seconds, under every imaginable climatic condition. All of this is accomplished through a total braking friction area that may be less than 48 square inches.
As you can see, we often ask quite a bit from very little when we trust our brakes to bring our car to a complete and safe stop, time after time. Although this system was designed to do just that, there are some consequences that arise that are sometimes unavoidable.
Brake wear is subject to many variables. The normal loading or use of the car, the type of driving (city or highway), or even different driving styles can make a difference in brake wear on the same make and model of vehicle. There are no "normal" brake wear standards. Often, the more effective the system, the faster the brake wear. In any case, your braking system should be checked on a regular basis to assure that it is in proper operating condition.
Brake noise or squeak is frequently believed to be a symptom of defective or worn brake pads or shoes. Actually, this type of brake noise can develop in perfectly good and relatively new brakes.
All noise is caused by vibration. The squeaking noise you may hear when you apply your brakes is usually caused by the brake pads or shoes vibrating in their mounts - which is a perfectly normal condition. This phenomenon is most prevalent in vehicles with disc brakes. Disc brakes, by their very design, are more likely to have the pads vibrate than the shoes in a drum brake system.
Just as with brake wear, there are many things that can influence brake noise. Age and condition of brake pads or rotors, driving styles and even atmospheric conditions can contribute to brake noise. Driving habits, such as light brake pedal application, combined with high atmospheric humidity can aggravate the problem.
Brake noise is an automotive industry concern. Many different answers have been developed, but there is no absolute permanent cure for brake noise. Most repair attempts involve insulating or securing the brake pads in their mounts. Virtually every major automotive chemical manufacturer markets at least one brake noise reduction product. But with the heat, cold, dirt and road wash that brakes are subjected to, these solutions are often temporary.
Although brake squeak can be very annoying, it does not necessarily present a threat to the safety or performance of your braking system. This characteristic, common to many cars, may not be permanently eliminated, but as your Mercedes-Benz of Honolulu Service Advisor about procedures that have been proven effective in minimizing persistent brake noise.
By, Mercedes-Benz of Honolulu
Have you ever wondered what causes brake squeak or why some brakes wear out faster than others? The following information may give you a better understanding of all that's involved.
The braking system is the single most important safety system on your automobile. It has the capability of converting large amounts of kinetic energy into heat energy within a matter of seconds, under every imaginable climatic condition. All of this is accomplished through a total braking friction area that may be less than 48 square inches.
As you can see, we often ask quite a bit from very little when we trust our brakes to bring our car to a complete and safe stop, time after time. Although this system was designed to do just that, there are some consequences that arise that are sometimes unavoidable.
Brake wear is subject to many variables. The normal loading or use of the car, the type of driving (city or highway), or even different driving styles can make a difference in brake wear on the same make and model of vehicle. There are no "normal" brake wear standards. Often, the more effective the system, the faster the brake wear. In any case, your braking system should be checked on a regular basis to assure that it is in proper operating condition.
Brake noise or squeak is frequently believed to be a symptom of defective or worn brake pads or shoes. Actually, this type of brake noise can develop in perfectly good and relatively new brakes.
All noise is caused by vibration. The squeaking noise you may hear when you apply your brakes is usually caused by the brake pads or shoes vibrating in their mounts - which is a perfectly normal condition. This phenomenon is most prevalent in vehicles with disc brakes. Disc brakes, by their very design, are more likely to have the pads vibrate than the shoes in a drum brake system.
Just as with brake wear, there are many things that can influence brake noise. Age and condition of brake pads or rotors, driving styles and even atmospheric conditions can contribute to brake noise. Driving habits, such as light brake pedal application, combined with high atmospheric humidity can aggravate the problem.
Brake noise is an automotive industry concern. Many different answers have been developed, but there is no absolute permanent cure for brake noise. Most repair attempts involve insulating or securing the brake pads in their mounts. Virtually every major automotive chemical manufacturer markets at least one brake noise reduction product. But with the heat, cold, dirt and road wash that brakes are subjected to, these solutions are often temporary.
Although brake squeak can be very annoying, it does not necessarily present a threat to the safety or performance of your braking system. This characteristic, common to many cars, may not be permanently eliminated, but as your Mercedes-Benz of Honolulu Service Advisor about procedures that have been proven effective in minimizing persistent brake noise.