Is Brake Maintenance Necessary?

[DiHolden]

Brake maintenance is essential. Only by timely servicing the components of the brake system and cleaning and lubricating the safety parts can you ensure precise and safe braking. The brake system of a car is a crucial safety system while driving. If the brake system is not maintained for a long time, it may lead to serious safety accidents. If the brake system is not maintained for a long time, the following phenomena may occur: 1. The dust from normal wear of the brake pads accumulates near the brake calipers, which can cause abnormal noises if not cleaned for a long time. 2. When driving on gravel roads, some particles may splash between the pads and discs, causing abnormal noises or uneven wear. 3. If the noise-damping shims and vibration-damping shims of the brake pads are not cleaned and lubricated for a long time, it can result in abnormal brake noises. 4. If the dust cover of the caliper sliding shaft is damaged, driving through puddles or mud can cause the caliper shaft to rust, the caliper to not return to position, reduced braking force, or uneven braking.

[DiMichael]

I think brake maintenance is absolutely necessary. During my last service, the technician found that the left rear wheel brake caliper was slightly sticking. They said it was fortunate to discover it early, otherwise it would have caused uneven wear in no time. They cleaned the brake dust, lubricated the guide pins, and replaced the brake fluid. After that, I could clearly feel more linear braking performance. You might not notice any abnormalities during daily driving, but brake fluid absorbs moisture and deteriorates, and the back of brake pads can rust and seize up. These hidden dangers are like ticking time bombs. Now I get my brakes checked every 20,000 kilometers, especially in areas with frequent rain.

[MacGideon]

As a seasoned business traveler who's been on the road for years, I firmly believe brake maintenance is absolutely non-negotiable. I once experienced sudden brake fade on the highway that nearly caused a rear-end collision, only to later discover it was due to brake fluid with excessive water content. Now I make it a rule to change my brake fluid every two years and always request inspection of caliper guide pins during servicing. Honestly, just paying attention to these warning signs during daily driving is sufficient: metallic scraping noises when braking, increased brake pedal travel, or steering wheel vibration during braking. During maintenance, have the mechanic remove the tires to check brake pad thickness and clean out caliper sludge—it costs little but brings tremendous peace of mind.

[DelEvan]

Last year, my wife's car had severe brake squealing, and the inspection revealed that the sliding pins of the caliper were rusted and stuck. In fact, most brake issues stem from insufficient lubrication and dust accumulation. Professional maintenance involves removing the caliper for thorough cleaning, replacing the anti-squeal grease, and polishing the contact surfaces—none of which can be achieved through regular car washing. With frequent braking in city traffic, dust builds up faster than expected. It's advisable to follow the maintenance manual and service the brakes every 20,000 kilometers. The most noticeable improvement after the last maintenance was the complete elimination of the harsh 'squeaking' noise when reversing.

[PatrickMarie]

My mechanic friend told me that older cars with over 200,000 kilometers require extra attention to brake maintenance. Especially in humid southern regions, the backplates of brake pads are prone to rust and stick to the calipers, causing brake drag and increased fuel consumption. They use specialized tools to clean out dirt from the piston dust boots and replace them with high-temperature resistant grease. After the last maintenance, I noticeably felt easier acceleration and a 0.3-liter drop in fuel consumption. Critical components like guide pin lubrication and maintenance are impossible to handle yourself. Regularly addressing these details can extend the brake system's lifespan by three to five years.