Your brakes are a vital system for your vehicle. Your brakes are so fundamental that you probably don’t even question their availability. You just expect them to work every time you press the pedal.
Fortunately, most brakes are reliable. However, this reliability doesn’t occur by magic. Instead, your brakes and tires require regular maintenance.
Having brake maintenance and tire inspections can improve the drivability of your vehicle and help you stay safe. Let’s explore the importance of inspecting your brakes and tires in Iowa City, IA.
Your Tires and Brakes Can Impact Your MPGs
Did you know that properly working brakes are imperative to maximizing fuel efficiency? Simply put, well-functioning brakes require less fuel to deliver the best performance.
At the same time, fuel economy is directly related to your tires. In fact, 20% to 30% of your fuel consumption and 24% of the CO2 emissions are directly connected to your tires. Your tires impact your vehicle’s fuel efficiency primarily through rolling resistance.
Because of this, it’s vital to have all necessary suspension and tire services, such as tire rotations, wheel alignments, and more.
Better Tires & Brakes = Better Safety
The connection between your tires, brakes, and safety is crystal clear. Well-functioning brakes are instrumental to your ability to stop. At the same time, properly inflated tires with sufficient tread are also directly related to your ability to stop.
Over time, however, your brakes and tires will wear down and require inspections and repairs. When it’s time to have your tires or brakes inspected or repaired, you shouldn’t put it off because it could be the difference between stopping and running into an object or a pedestrian.
Schedule Brake & Tire Inspections to Save Money
When it comes to your brakes and tires, an ounce of maintenance is worth pounds of cure. This means it’s much more cost-efficient to regularly inspect and proactively remedy problems with your brakes and tires. The alternative is to continue driving around on tires or faulty brakes that need replacement until they cause more expensive repairs.
In either case, regular maintenance and service can help ensure your vehicle is in good working order. Regular maintenance is a simple and effective way to keep your vehicle expenditures under control.
How Do I Know I Need Brake Repair?
Like most components on your vehicle, your brakes may offer you distinct warning signs that they need repair and service. If you notice any of the following indicators, you should have your brakes inspected by a mechanic in Iowa City, IA as soon as possible:
- Squeaking or squealing noises when you apply the brakes
- Grinding noises
- Illuminated brake light
- Leaking brake fluid
- Soft or spongy brakes
- Your vehicle pulling to one side or the other
- Burning smell
How Do I Know I Need a Tire Inspection or Tire Services?
Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that makes contact with the road. As such, if you notice any of the following signs, you should bring your vehicle to Iowa City Tire & Service in Iowa City, IA for a professional inspection:
- Your tire pressure keeps falling.
- You have low treads on your tires. One easy way to check your tire tread is to place a penny in the grooves between the treads with Lincoln’s head pointing down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your treads are too low.
- You notice your tire tread is wearing unevenly.
- You feel an odd vibration or excessive noise coming from your tires when driving on smooth roads.
- You can visibly see a bubble on the side of your tires.
- You notice cracked rubber on your tires.
- You have been driving on the same set of tires for an extended period (think six to 10 years).
