Your car brakes play an essential role in maintaining safety. It’s crucial to know a bit about these devices to keep your car in top shape and prevent accidents that could occur because of faulty brake systems. Here is a beginner’s guide to types of brakes to help you understand how they work and why performing regular care is so important.

Car Brake 101

Drum Brakes

Drum brakes feature two brakes and one piston along with an adjuster mechanism, springs, and an emergency brake component. This model uses hydraulic pressure to push two “shoes” – curved blocks - inside the brake drum that is adhered to the inside of the wheel. This movement causes friction that slows the wheel from turning and brings the car to a stop.

Most vehicles with drum brakes have adjusters that ensure the shoes are perfectly distanced from the brake shoes to provide maximum friction when the brake pedal is pressed.

Disc Brakes

Many vehicles today have disc brakes, a similar model to those used on bicycles. This model uses a caliper that houses shoes to create friction against the wheel and slow the car to a stop.

This model of car brakes also features vents along the drum to move cool air over the disc to prevent it from overheating due to excessive kinetic energy from the motion of the vehicle. Some disc brakes are self-centering and self-adjusting. This means they feature calipers that center every time you use the brakes to ensure that you won’t have to pump the pedal while the brake pistons readjust and move the shoes.

If your vehicle needs maintenance or repairs contact Hudson Tire & Battery in Boone County, AR, to set up an appointment. Their expert team has over 60 years of experience in the industry using high-tech diagnostics tools and installing new batteries and tires from their extensive on-site inventory of top brand names. Call (870) 741-2740 or visit the website for information on their car brakes adjustments and local service calls to bring the mechanic to you.