Your car’s braking system is very important for keeping you in control while you’re driving. When it works as it should, this system brings your car to a complete stop. As with any car system, it needs to be checked out on a regular basis to make sure it’s working properly. The best way to keep your brake parts clean is to use a brake parts cleaner every few months. You can easily do this on your own.
BRAKE DUST AND DEPOSITS
Your car’s brakes are usually dirty, but that “dirt” is made up of brake dust and other things that are naturally found on the wheels. There is metal debris that comes off when the brake pads get hot. As long as the dust buildup goes unchecked, it can have a negative effect on how the brakes work and vibrate, as well as shorten the life span of the brake pad. This is normal. In the same way that tires get worn, brake rotors get worn, too. This makes more dust that sticks to the wheels.
As a result of these problems, your car won’t be able to brake as well as it used to. You’ll have to buy new brake pads and rotors more often if you don’t clean your car on a regular basis.
HOW TO APPLY BRAKE CLEANER
You should look for a brake parts cleaner that comes in an aerosol can and comes with a long hose so you can clean those hard-to-reach places. It’s better to clean all four wheels at once, not just the ones that show signs of dust. To protect yourself, wear a mask, safety glasses, and gloves. Then, follow these steps:
- Position the jack. Place a jack near the wheel you want to clean first. Take care of the emergency brake and put chocks behind the wheels that aren’t moving. Loosen the lug nuts with a lug wrench, then keep raising the car until the tire is off the ground.
- Remove the wheel. Remove the lug nuts and the wheel, putting the nuts inside the wheel to keep them safe.
- Apply the product. To use the cleaner, first read the directions on the bottle. Then remove the cap and insert a piece of plastic that fits into the nozzle of the bottle. Spray a lot on all of the brake parts, like the discs or drums, pads, and calipers. Once the product has reached all of the parts, wipe the wheel clean with a lint-free cloth.
- Reposition the wheel. When you’re done, put on the new wheel, loosely tighten the lug nuts, then lower the wheel and tighten them all the way. Repeat this with the other wheels.
A job that doesn’t lift the car up and remove each wheel to clean the brake parts might not be as good as if you did that. To avoid leaving anything to chance, instead, take a more cautious approach and make sure there is nothing left to chance.
ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS
Cleaning your brake system parts will also make the air cleaner on the highway, which is good for everyone. Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology found that even a cloud of tiny metal particles can be bad for your respiratory health. People who keep their cars clean can make a big difference by adding brake parts cleaning to their maintenance schedules.
Take the buildup of brake dust very seriously. This will help your brakes last longer and help the environment. Take care of your brakes in less than an hour on your own, or add it to your other brake care projects.
