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One of the most important safety features on your car is the brakes. Without a good set of car brakes, you run the risk of injuring yourself and possibly other drivers on the road. This is why it’s essential to know which braking system your vehicle has and how you should maintain it.

The professionals at Dee’s Auto Care Specialists located in La Crosse and Onalaska, WI, and Winona, MN, want you to be safe and knowledgeable. Below, they share a few types of car brakes and what you can do to keep them operating smoothly: 

Drum 

Drum brakes use a friction system to slow down or stop your vehicle. It involves a set of shoes or pads pressing against the brake drum. These brakes are lightweight and are usually used on light trucks and small cars. They require little maintenance, but you should replace the shoes every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

Disc 

auto repairMost of the newer cars have these brakes on the front wheels, but some vehicles have them on all four. The pistons push into the brake pads, and the pads push into the rotor to slow down or stop your vehicle. Because of the constant friction, the pads and the rotor tend to experience wear and tear and will need periodic rebuffing, and in some cases, a replacement.

Emergency 

Emergency brakes are a secondary braking system, and they are independent of the service brakes. Emergency brakes use cables to mechanically apply the brakes, usually in the rear of the car. There are a few different emergency brakes, including a pedal near the left of the floor pedals, a lever between the front seats, or a push button located somewhere around the steering column. You should use these brakes at least once a week to prevent any sticking. Also, you can ask your auto repair shop to apply lubricant to the cables during your next oil change to keep everything working properly.

Keeping your braking system operating at its fullest potential at all times is crucial for your safety on the road. If you need new brakes or other auto repairs, you can trust Dee’s Auto Care Specialists. Call today at (608) 782-2530 for more information, or visit the website.  

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