Why Should I Get My Brakes Inspected? | Why Service At a Kia Dealership?

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

What is involved in a Brake System Inspection? | Checking Brake Parts & Brake Systems

One thing you can do as a vehicle owner is better understand the different 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 Courtesy Kia of Brandon, we offer a multi-point inspection with every service visit that includes inspecting brakes, brake pads, rotors, operation, belts, hoses and filters, among extra items, not just your brake system. Our mechanics, however, will glance at the following when inspecting your brakes:

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

New Brakes Tampa FL | Car Repair & Brake Repair Near Me | Kia Brake Pad Replacement

The brake system on you Kia 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 authentic, 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 common type of brakes on Kia vehicles, consist of five sizable components. Rotors (also accepted 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 essential maintenance like a brake flush can prevent you from having to deal with costly repairs in the future. Bring your new Kia and more or older model Kia 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 secure out on the road.

Brake Pads & Calipers | Pistons & Auto Parts In Tampa FL | Kia Brake Service in Tampa

The brake pads consist of two layers: a metal backing plate & a high-friction material that includes rubber, fiber, carbon & extra 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 safeness 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. Courtesy Kia of Brandon typically offers brake pads specials and extra service specials, as well.

The brake caliper that wraps around the rotor. They also contain small 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 more such pistons so that the brake pads will evenly distribute pressure against the brake disc. Generally speaking, the more pistons in a caliper, the more 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 responsible 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, Kia .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 accessible. For any extra brake related questions or concerns, reach out to our Kia experts at Courtesy Kia of Brandon. You can even schedule your appointment online.

Auto Repair Near Me | Kia Service Tampa Brandon Lakeland FL | Auto Parts & Auto Tampa FL

Most auto repair shops are fine with fixing one issue at a time, but not us. At Courtesy Kia of Brandon, our Service Center strives to correctly diagnose/fix your vehicle the first time. This saves you hours at the dealership, money on unnecessary repairs or unneeded auto repair. We are proud to serve all Kia owners and are the finest location to service your Kia car, truck or SUV in Tampaand the greater metro area. Contact our Service Center today to schedule your service appointment or to find the shop hours for the finest appointment time for you or visit the store. Even if it's just for a agile multi-point inspection or alignment check, our team will be more than happy to help you.

How do I know when I Need New Brakes? | Simple Signs That Your Kia Needs a Brake Repair

Just like there are common brake issues, there are very noticeable signs that can indicate the cause of that brake problem. Signs like a shaky steering wheel, trouble stopping or a loud, metal scraping sound are all indicators that you need to check your brakes. However, there are innumerable other, and fewer definite, indicators that your brakes may be showing which you don't want to ignore.

When do I need to get my brakes inspected? Schedule your appointment with Courtesy Kia of Brandon if you experience any of the following:

  • It's been over a year or 12,000 miles. Brake inspections should be at least once a year. (Courtesy Kia of Brandon offers a complimentary multi-point inspection every visit)
  • Your Check Engine or Brake Warning Light on your dashboard comes on
  • You are over the number of miles that Kia recommends between brake fluid exchanges for your vehicle
  • Your vehicle doesn't stay straight when you brake, pulling in either direction
  • Unusual vibrations, shaking or noises occur during braking
  • It takes your vehicle longer distances to stop than normal
  • You have grinding, squeaking or squealing brakes
  • The brake pedal presses farther to the floor than usual or seems light or loose, and even requires more force/pressure than usual
  • Your car is wobbling or rocking when driving at higher speeds

Brake Service Near Me | Brake Repair & Replacement In Tampa, St Petersburg, Lakeland

Brakes are designed to wear out over time. && The your brake pads rub on the brake disk, or rotor, causing friction that slows the spinning of the wheel and causes your car to stop. With that being said, brake pads are the first part of your brake system to check if you are experiencing any braking problems or issues. %% A full inspection though will show underlying problems, as well as what can be repaired and what needs replaced. %% Brake pad replacement is the most common repair job for automotive brake systems. You can schedule your brake pad replacement at Courtesy Kia of Brandon, where you will find a state-of-the-art service department with innumerable amenities to make your service experience even better.

Save on New Brakes & Brake Service with Courtesy Kia of Brandon

Maintaining your entire brake system is decisive in helping ensure the safeness 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 more 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. Full brake repairs and brake shops are not made the same and at Courtesy Kia of Brandon, we know stellar service from our Kia certified mechanics doesn't have to exclude cost-effective solutions. Consult with our team of experts at Courtesy Kia of Brandon any time you notice any irregularities in your car's braking performance.

Brake Service FAQs | Commonly Asked Questions About Brakes

What causes brake noises?

There are several reasons for hearing noises when braking.

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, Courtesy Kia of Brandon 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.

How long do brake pads and rotors last?

Brake pads typically last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. Brake rotors can last up to 3 times longer than the pads, but it depends greatly on driving habits and environment. Routine maintenance and inspection, also, increases the life of innumerable brake components, in most cases.

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.

What is a brake system flush?

A brake system flush, also know as a brake fluid flush, is when existing 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, Courtesy Kia of Brandon can help.

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.

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 diverse. On most vehicles with alloy wheels, you can actually see the rotor through your rim.

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.

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. Courtesy Kia of Brandon typically offers brake fluid flushes in our monthly specials, just check our common offers or give us a call.

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.

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 accepted as brake discs.

How Should Brakes Work?

To keep is definite, 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 small 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.

Grinding noise is caused by the contact of the rotor disc with part of the caliper.

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

The most common comment is that brake rotors are out of bound, in which case you'd also be able 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 is a Rotor?

Brake rotors, also called brake discs, are a key part of your car's braking system.

What will my brake service include when I visit your Kia dealership?

This can be a more complicated question to feedback. Since there are innumerable components to a brake system, there are different items that may be needed for your service. A Bit vehicles may just need new brake pads, others may need a brake fluid flush, while some may need a resurfacing of rotors and new brake lines due to leaking brake fluid. Depending on the results of the multi-point inspection, your vehicle brake service may include:

  • Brake Fluid Flush & Brake Fluid Replacement
  • Brake Rotor & Brake Caliper Alignment
  • New Brake Hoses/Brake Lines
  • Brake pad Replacement
  • New Brake Rotors / Brake Drums Resurfaced
  • Brake Master Cylinder Replacement
  • Brake Caliper Replacement