Featured article contribution from Tire Kings

Springtime is the Best Time for a Brake Check in Calgary

Most folks know that Canadian (and especially Calgary) winters demand you give your vehicle the attention and preparation it needs to handle our cold, snowy winter roads… But not a lot of people realize that springtime is when you should give your car the seasonal servicing it needs to keep on functioning safely and smoothly.

Springtime In Calgary = Brake Check Time.

That’s right – springtime is the perfect time to take care of all those things that you didn’t do when winterizing your car… And one of the biggest things is your vehicle’s brakes!

Why? Because Calgary winters can wreak havoc on Calgary brakes. Gravel and salt, extreme temperature changes, pumping your brakes on slippery surfaces, along with all the ice, snow, and slush can take a heavy toll on your vehicle’s braking system.

We’ve Seen It All… Photo of a Tire Kings mechanic checking brakes in Calgary

Our professional mechanics have over 60 years of combined experience and have seen the worst-case scenarios of what the winter season can do to brakes. We are Calgary brake repair specialists. We can’t even begin to tell you how much crud and gunk accumulates in & around the average set of brakes in Calgary over the course of even one winter! And while regularly washing the undercarriage of your vehicle definitely helps, all it takes is one perfectly placed piece of gravel to cause damage.

Some of the major things to beware of are corrosion and excessive wear on your brake rotors, calipers, and brake shoes. Less common issues include damaged brake lines and seized emergency brakes.

In fact, corrosion of brake rotors, shoes, and brake lines is one of the issues we see most often in the springtime. The melting snow and ice lets loose all the gravel and debris that had been frozen in place throughout the winter, causing concentrated patches of gravel-laden slush on the roads – patches that are just waiting for your vehicle to drive through.

At Tire Kings, we always make sure to use premium parts with every job we do – big or small – and brake parts are absolutely no exception. You can ward off many potential brake problems by using high quality brake parts from reputable manufacturers. But even then, getting your brakes inspected every spring is a wise move that will help you not only stay safe on Calgary’s roads, but will also help extend the life of your vehicle. Not to mention that it’s a great way of preventing even bigger problems down the road!

What to Look & Listen For:

Luckily, there are certain telltale signs that will let you know if there’s a problem with your car or truck’s braking system. Signs to keep an eye and ear out for are:

  • Squealing
  • Grinding
  • Growling
  • Fresh leaks on the ground near any of your vehicle’s 4 tires
  • Any changes to the feel of your brake pedal

We recommend clients take their vehicle into their trusted mechanic every spring and fall for regular oil changes and to get a basic bi-annual auto inspection.

Feel free to contact us with any questions you have or to book an appointment. We’re your trusted, local Calgary brake specialists and we know how to keep your car or truck in tip-top shape.