Save on New Brakes & Brake Service with Toyota of Greenville

Maintaining your entire brake system is marvelous in helping ensure the safety of you, your passengers and those around you. "how do I know if I need new brakes?" you might ask? Well, the question may be a little added complicated. Is it your brake pads? Rotors? Do you have old brake fluid? There are a number of signs that indicate your brakes need attention, and signs that may hint to the component that needs to be addressed. For example, if your brakes are squeaking or you hear grinding when your car comes to a stop, these may be signs that you need new brake pads. If your brake pedal doesn't feel spongy or you have wet spots on the ground when you move your vehicle, you may need a brake fluid flush or new bake master cylinder. Exhaustive brake repairs and brake shops are not made the same and at Toyota of Greenville, we know stellar service from our Toyota certified mechanics doesn't have to exclude cost-effective solutions. Consult with our team of experts at Toyota of Greenville any time you notice any irregularities in your car's braking performance.

 

Why Should I Get My Brakes Inspected? 

  • Toyota of Greenville uses genuine Toyota auto parts that were specifically designed for your vehicle.
  • Get an explanation/quote of the work before it begins, along with how long it will take
  • Get your vehicle inspected by a certified Toyota mechanic to properly identify any issues affecting your brakes
  • Get an estimate of what the essential work will cost based on the individual problems of your brakes

What is involved in a Brake System Inspection?

One thing you can do as a vehicle owner is better understand the divergent moving parts that make up your brake system. When you press your brake pedal the brake pads create friction; in turn, the brake rotor disperses heat throughout the vehicle to keep the brakes themselves from overheating. Both are essential to the proper functioning of your braking system. And both need proper inspection when servicing your brakes.

At Toyota of Greenville, we offer a multi-point inspection with every service visit that includes inspecting brakes, brake pads, rotors, operation, belts, hoses and filters, among other items, not just your brake system. Our mechanics, however, will peer at the following when inspecting your brakes:

  • Rotors / Brake Drums - determining if resurfacing or replacement is needed
  • Brake hoses - problems with the hoses, like cracking or clogs are straightforward and need regular checking as they can wear over time
  • Cylinders - check wheel cylinders & brake master cylinder for function
  • Brake Fluid - Checking brake fluid levels, color and signs of and brake fluid leaks
  • Brake Operation & Parts - such as Brake Pad Thickness & hardware for wear and tear

Commonly Asked Questions About Brakes

What is a brake system flush?

A brake system flush, also know as a brake fluid flush, is when current brake fluid is removed and new fluid is added to the hydraulic system. This ensures proper performance and increased life span of your brakes. If you are unsure if you need a brake system flush, Toyota of Greenville can help.

What causes brake noises?

There are a few reasons for hearing noises when braking.

I hear a grinding noise when I step on the brakes. Should I be concerned?

Yes. This is a wake-up call to stop driving the car and have it checked out.

What Are Brake Pads? What do Brake Pads Do?

Brake pads work with the brake caliper to stop the spinning motion of your wheels. When hydraulic pressure from the brake master cylinder is applied, the caliper squeezes the pads together, creating friction between the pads and the brake rotors, also familiar as brake discs.

What is a Rotor?

Brake rotors, also called brake discs, are a key part of your car's braking system. Grinding noise is caused by the contact of the rotor disc with part of the caliper.

Brake rotors can last up to 3 times longer than the pads, but it depends greatly on driving habits and environment. Regular maintenance and inspection, also, increases the life of frequent brake components, in most cases.

How long do brake pads and rotors last?

Brake pads typically last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. When you apply pressure to your brakes and hear a squeak or squealing noise, it's most likely your brake pads warning you they may need to be replaced. Brake pads are designed with the metal backing that will create this sound when they wear down to let you know you need new brake pads.

The grinding noise usually indicates the lack of brake pad material, which means the pads are so worn out that the rotors and brake pads are now metal on metal.

How Should Brakes Work?

To keep is simple, brakes on your vehicle are supposed to slow down, decelerate or stop your vehicle. When you press down on your brake pedal, the brake master cylinder to release hydraulic fluid into the brake lines. This fluid triggers a chain reaction in the hydraulic system moving from cylinder to cylinder to multiple the miniature force applied by your foot to bring your car to a stop. While Drum Brakes and Disc Brakes function a little differently, both create the same end result.

Do I have to change my brake fluid?

Yes, you need to change your brake fluid. Brake fluid affects the operation of your braking system, as the presence of water in the brake lines reduces the fluid's boiling point, therefore the vehicle's stopping ability is diminished in hard stops. Toyota of Greenville typically offers brake fluid flushes in our monthly specials, just check our current offers or give us a call.

Squealing noises can be caused by rusted rotors, while squeaking noises usually indicate cheap brake pads or the indicator hitting the rotor.

The car pulls to the right or left when I step on the brakes. Why?

The usual cause of the car pulling to the left or right when braking is contamination of the braking system. It can also happen if a caliper malfunctions.

My brake pedal feels spongy. Why?

The brake pedal feels spongy or soft when your brake fluid is not flowing properly through your brake lines. This means that air pockets got into the lines, preventing the fluid's proper flow. If this happens, Toyota of Greenville will need to go through a process called "bleeding the brakes", which is a procedure performed on hydraulic brake systems whereby the brake lines are purged of any air bubbles.

As the brake pads clamp down on them, the applied pressure will stop the spinning of your wheels. You will not find disc on drum brakes, as the set up is a little bit specific. On most vehicles with alloy wheels, you can actually see the rotor through your rim.

My car shakes when I hit the brakes. What's going on?

The most straightforward explanation is that brake rotors are out of bound, in which case you'd also be apt to feel it through the brake pedal. The vibration can also occur when a brake caliper sticks on, in which case the steering wheel will vibrate as well.

 

What Do Brake Pads, Brake Calipers and Brake Fluid Do In My Toyota?

The brake pads consist of two layers: a metal backing plate & a high-friction material that includes rubber, fiber, carbon & other materials. Over time, brake pads wear down and can even start squeaking. This noise is the metal backing plate & the rotor touching, which also acts as a safety measure to let you know your brakes need repair. This can also cause damager to your rotors...in some cases, warping them.. In addition to serving as a "platform" for the friction material, the backing plate also protects the brake caliper from excessive heat buildup. Toyota of Greenville typically offers brake pads specials and other service specials, as well.

The brake caliper that wraps around the rotor. They also contain miniature pistons, the amount depends on the brake system. These pistons push the brake pads against the disc. The pistons are pushed outward by the hydraulic action of brake fluid that comes from the master cylinder. The caliper often contains two or added such pistons so that the brake pads will evenly distribute pressure against the brake disc. Generally speaking, the added pistons in a caliper, the added evenly the pressure on the pads is spread onto the brake disc. Most brake systems have power assistance systems that helps increase the action of your foot on the brake pedal, reducing the braking effort.

Where does brake fluid come into the equation? The brake fluid, or hydraulic fluid is bound to for moving the components of your brake system. Brake fluid should be changed on the service interval recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer, in this case, Toyota .Fresh brake fluid is something few people think about, even though it can dramatically affect braking performance. Most well-maintained cars have plenty of braking capability. For those who take their cars to the track, uprated brake pads and even larger brake discs are available. For any other brake related questions or concerns, reach out to our Toyota experts at Toyota of Greenville. You can even schedule your appointment online.

 

Toyota Brake Pad Replacement and Repair Near Greenville, Spartanburg, Easley and Greer, SC

The brake system on you Toyota car, truck or SUV can be one of the most overlooked auto repair issues. Most people think that your brakes are what stops the car when you press the pedal. This is not entirely exact, as there are multiple factors in stopping a car. The brakes actually stop the wheels from turning and the friction from the tires on the ground stop the vehicle.

Disc brakes, which have become the most straightforward type of brakes on Toyota vehicles, consist of five extensive components. Rotors (also familiar as brake discs, or discs), calipers, brake pads, your master cylinder and the brake lines where your fluid runs through. So how do they work? When your car wheels move, the disc spins on the axle with the wheel. The brake pads sit in the brake calipers, located on each side of the disc. When you apply pressure to your brake pedal, pressure is built up in the master cylinder and travels through your brake lines to the brake pistons on the calipers. This pushes the brake pads against the rotor, causing friction & causes the spinning of the rotor to slow down, thus, stopping the vehicle.

Proper vehicle inspections and basic maintenance like a brake flush can prevent you from having to deal with costly repairs in the future. Bring your new Toyota and added or older model Toyota to our dealership to make sure your brake system is operating fine. We can check your brake pads, fluid levels, rotors, calipers, brackets and everything in your brake system to make sure you are safe out on the road.