Brake Checkup FAQs
Can you do brakes for my electric car?
Yes, we can, in most cases. The braking system on electric vehicles is one the systems that is almost unchanged from a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle.
The only factor that affects our ability to replace brakes on electric vehicles is if the vehicle manufacturer has chosen not to release the repair information outside of their own dealer network.
Anti-competition laws require this information to be released into the open market after a certain point, but manufacturers will often hold off as long as they can and make accessing the information difficult.
How long should new brake pads last?
The life span of brake pads varies greatly, depending on driving habits and the type of brake pad. However, most brake pads should last between 20,000 and 45,000 miles.
Is it safe to drive with my brake warning light is on?
Depending on which brake warning light is illuminated on your dashboard will determine if it is safe to continue driving.
As with any time a new dashboard light illuminates, you should refer to your vehicle handbook as your first port of call, following whatever guidance is specified.
However, as a general rule of thumb, if the brake light that appears is red, with an exclamation mark or ABS inside a circle, then there may be a serious issue and your brakes may not be operating correctly or as expected. If this is the case, you should drive carefully and stop when it is next safe to do so.
If the light is yellow with two dashed lines on each side of a circle, then this is a brake pad wear light, informing you that the brake pads are in need of replacement. You can safely drive with this light illuminated; however, you should make an appointment to have your brake pads replaced, or to be certain of exactly what needs replacing, book a free brake inspection.
Should brake discs and pads have to be replaced together?
To ensure optimal brake performance, it is always ideal to replace brake discs and pads together whenever either item is due.
However, in balancing perfect performance against cost, you do not always have to replace both together.
When having new brake pads fitted, if the brake discs are still in good condition, it is not essential to replace them too.
However, when you are having new brake discs fitted, you should always replace the pads at the same time. Failure to do so will often lead to brake squeal, and more importantly, the old contoured and often ridged pads can damage the new discs, potentially leading to the premature replacement of both components again.
Why are my brakes making a noise?
It is difficult to know what the exact problem may be without one of our technicians inspecting the brakes or hearing the noise.
However, the cause of bake noise is most commonly due to something catching or sticking that should normally be free moving, such as a brake calliper or something that is worn down to or beyond its designed operating limit, such as a brake pad.
You can book a free brake inspection at your local branch, where we can identify the cause of your brake noise and discuss options to correct it.
Why does my brake pedal feel soft and spongy?
A soft and spongy feeling brake pedal is usually caused by air in the brake lines or by low brake fluid levels, both of which compromise the car's braking ability as the pressure applied to the brake pedal is not fully transmitted to the brakes on each wheel.
If your brake pedal feels soft or spongey you should book a Brake Fluid Flush to bleed the trapped air out of the system, completely renewing the entire braking system with new premium brake fluid.