What is a brake pedal?
2 Answers
Brake pedal is the pedal that limits power, also known as the foot brake (service brake) pedal, used for deceleration and stopping. It is one of the five major operating components in car driving and is used very frequently. How the driver controls it directly affects the driving safety of the vehicle. Precautions for using the brake pedal: 1. During emergency braking, hold the steering wheel with both hands and avoid operating it with one hand. 2. The free travel of the brake pedal directly affects braking time and braking distance. Therefore, it is essential to check if the free travel of the brake pedal is appropriate before driving. 3. Braking actions should be swift. If the vehicle skids, release the brake pedal, but the steering wheel must be turned quickly. 4. Avoid emergency braking during high-speed turns. Braking should be done appropriately in advance before turning, maintaining straight-line braking as much as possible and controlling the turning speed. 5. For braking at low to medium speeds or when shifting gears, press the clutch pedal first and then the brake pedal. For braking at medium to high speeds, press the brake pedal first and then the clutch pedal.
I've been driving for over twenty years. The brake disc, commonly known as the rotor, is that round metal plate installed behind the wheel. Every time you press the brake, the brake pads on the calipers clamp tightly onto it, slowing the car down through friction. It's quite durable but not indestructible—over time, the surface can wear thin, develop scratches, or even warp. Especially when driving in the rain, if water gets on the brake disc and isn't quickly cleared, the initial braking might feel a bit soft, requiring a few extra presses to regain effectiveness. Nowadays, high-end cars even use ventilated discs with cooling holes in the middle to prevent overheating during long descents. During regular maintenance, remember to have the mechanic check the thickness—the wear limit is usually around 1.5 mm, and if it gets too thin, it needs to be replaced immediately.
