Volkswagen Brake Service
Your VW’s brakes are obviously one of the most crucial systems to maintain for safety and function. Just like tires, they wear down with use and must be replaced as needed – usually every few years. While the factory-trained service technicians at Balise Volkswagen will inspect your brakes during your regular maintenance visits, there are things you can do to keep your brakes working well for longer.
In between visits for your regular Volkswagen brake service (they should be checked at least every 10,000 miles), look and listen for potential problems that may be developing. If you hear any unusual sounds (squealing, scraping, grinding, etc.) or feel wobbling or vibration in your steering wheel, get the car in for service as soon as possible. These sensations could mean that your VW brake rotors are pitted with excessive rust (some rust is perfectly normal) or otherwise damaged or warped. If they are somewhat new and still have plenty of metal left, it’s possible that they can be “turned,” meaning that they are resurfaced to smooth out those imperfections, but replacing them would be your best bet.
You should also have your car serviced if you notice that its braking time has increased or if the brake pedal feels soft or spongy (or if it goes to the floor with low resistance). If you’re at ease with putting your hands under the hood, try checking your brake fluid level yourself and making a habit of it.
What to Expect During Your VW Brake Service
When an authorized Volkswagen technician performs a brake service, he will do the following important steps, replacing any worn parts:
- Inspect the components, including pads, cylinders, calipers, lines, hoses, and valves
- Measure the rotors and drums
- Check the thickness of the brake pads and shoes
- Top off or change the brake fluid
Warning Signs that You Need Brake Service
Look and listen for the following signs that a brake issue is developing:
- Unusual sounds or scraping
- Taking longer to reach a full stop
- Vibrating or wobbly feeling in the brake pedal or steering wheel
- Spongy or soft brake pedal
- Leaking brake fluid
- Parking brake indicator light turns on
In addition to simply paying attention to your brakes between service visits, treat them gently for longer life. Naturally, they will wear down more quickly when you demand more from them with hard stopping habits.
While we’re discussing brakes, we can’t neglect the parking brake, which is also known as the emergency brake since it can indeed come to the rescue in a brake-failure emergency. The parking brake cable can stretch, break, or freeze up, so use it regularly to be sure that it’s still working and to keep it from freezing up.
When it’s time for your Volkswagen’s brake service, schedule your appointment at Balise VW through our convenient online scheduling tool.
