Back to all

Brake Service at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Oswego in Oswego

February 27, 2016

Brakes really aren't optional equipment for Oswego drivers' vehicles. And taking care of them isn't optional either.

A regular brake inspection is on every Illinois driver's vehicle maintenance schedule. At Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Oswego, our team will check your brake system and let you know if there are any problems. Of course, if you're having trouble with your brakes, get your car into your Oswego service center right away. And watch out for these problems:

  • Low or spongy brake pedal
  • Hard brake pedal
  • A brake warning light that stays on
  • Constantly squealing or grinding brakes
  • Vibrations or clunking sounds when you apply your brakes

There are two types of brakes: disc and drum. Disc brakes have a rotor that's attached to the axle. Calipers straddle the rotor, kind of like the brakes on a bicycle. Drum brakes are more common on back wheels. Pads, called shoes, push against the inside of the drum to slow the vehicle.

There are several things that need to be serviced on the brake system. First, the brake pads and shoes wear out with use and become too thin to really help. If the brake pads wear away completely you can damage the rotors. The calipers can grind grooves in the rotor. Then the rotor must either be resurfaced or replaced, and that can be expensive. But putting it off is dangerous because your vehicle won't stop as quickly. Sometimes rotors warp or crack and must be replaced.

Brake fluid is also important. When the brakes are applied, the pressure in the fluid activates the brake pads or shoes. Not enough fluid, not enough pressure to brake properly. Also, water builds up in the brake fluid over time, which leads to corrosion, leaks and brake damage, and with hard use, the brakes could severely fade or even fail. Oswego  drivers should change the brake fluid when their vehicle manufacturer recommends it.

Be sure to properly maintain your brakes because it's a lot cheaper than paying your nearest Oswego area body shop after an accident.

Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Oswego
1555 US Highway 34
Oswego, Illinois 60543
630-898-6220

More articles from Tuffy Oswego

Service to Improve Fuel Economy

April 14, 2024

The price of gas in Illinois has got people in Oswego talking. It seems that Oswego folks who need a bigger vehicle to carry family and gear, or provide four wheel drive, are hit especially hard. That is why we thought it would be good to review some things that anyone can do to improve fuel eco... More

Oswego Car Owners Ask: Why Do I Need to Change My Serpentine Belt?

April 7, 2024

Any Oswego driver who understands preventive maintenance knows that if it ain't broke, don't fix it is bad auto advice. Replacing a part before it breaks is much less costly for Oswego residents than repairing the engine damage that comes after a part breaks or fails. A good example of this is th... More

The Last Gas (Fuel Pump Replacement).

March 31, 2024

You're heading down the road and you notice your vehicle is sputtering, like it's running out of gas. But the gauge show's it's still got a quarter of a tank. So what gives? It could be that your fuel pump is failing, meaning your engine is not getting enough gas to run properly. While fuel pu... More