One of the most common car maintenance tasks is flushing brake pads. Brake pads do a great job of stopping your car in its tracks, but over time they can become covered in dust and other debris. This can cause the pads to not engage properly with the discs, which can lead to a loss of braking power and potential accidents.
What are Brakes?
A brake is a device that stops a vehicle. Brakes are usually located on the wheels, and work by applying pressure to the brake pads which slows or stops the vehicle.
How much to flush brakes depends on the age of the brake system, type of brake fluid and how often the brakes are serviced. Generally speaking, it is recommended to flush your brakes every 3-4 months or when you notice a decrease in braking performance. Here’s a breakdown of how often you should flush brakes according to their age:
• Up to 2 years old – Flush every 3 months
• 2-5 years old – Flush every 6 months
• 5-10 years old – Flush every 12 months
• 10+ years old – Flush every 18 months
Types of Brakes
When you’re replacing your brakes, there are a few things to consider: the type of brake, how often they should be flushed, and how much to flush. Here’s a look at each type of brake and how often they should be flushed:
Disc Brakes: These work by using friction to stop the car. They require regular flushing to keep them working properly. Every 6 months is typically how often they’ll need to be flushed.
Piston Brakes: These use compressed air to stop the car. They don’t require as frequent aflush as disc brakes, but should be flushed every year or 12,000 miles.
Rear Drum Brakes: These are usually found on older cars and work by using a drum to slow the car. They don’t require as frequent of aflush as other brakes, but should still be flushed every 3-5 years or 30,000-50,000 miles.
How to Flush Brakes
If your car has brake pads, you should flush them every year or two. To do this, get on your hands and knees next to the car and put your head under the brake pedal. Push and pull the pedal until the fluid comes out of the system. Pour the fluid into a bucket or can and throw away the used fluid.
When to Flush Brakes
When you’re driving, it’s always important to keep your braking system in good working order. If your brakes are not flushed regularly, they may not work as well when you need them to. Here’s a guide on how often to flush your brakes:
-If you drive a car with manual brakes, every 3,000 miles is a good schedule.
-If you drive a car with automatic brakes, every 6,000 miles is a good schedule.
-If you drive a bus or truck, every 12,000 miles is a good schedule.
Conclusion
If you’re a driver, understanding how to flush your brakes is important. Flushing your brakes helps remove any residual moisture that might be on the brake pad or discs, which can help keep them operating at their best and improve braking performance. To flush your brakes:
1) Park the car in an open area with plenty of room to spare.
2) Make sure all of the doors are closed and secure.
3) Turn off the engine and wait 10 seconds.
4) Turn on the emergency flashers (if applicable).
5) Leave the car in gear and let it idle for two minutes while you do other tasks (like opening a door).
6) After two minutes have passed, turn off the engine, leave the car in gear, and open one door.
7) Press down firmly on each brake pedal until they squeal loudly (this indicates that moisture has been removed from both pads and discs).