The holiday season has arrived and many are preparing to enjoy days of rest and leisure with family and friends. Those traveling by car should be aware of and plan to check the vehicle to avoid surprises midway and ensure occupant safety on the road. When it comes to overhaul and preventive maintenance, the brake system is of fundamental importance. Cobreq, a trademark of TMD Friction, the world’s largest brake pad manufacturer, has prepared some tips with items to check before you travel.
The brake system consists of various components such as pads, discs, shoes, drums and brake fluid. Raulincom Borges da Silva, TMD Friction’s service coordinator, says that constant use of the brakes results in natural wear of the parts, so we recommend checking their condition to ensure braking efficiency.
Brake Fluid
The fluid level must be checked and if it is below the minimum it is necessary to check for leaks. Inspection of the brake system is also recommended as this may indicate natural wear of the brake pads. Another guideline is to consult the expiration date and change of fluid as indicated by the vehicle manufacturer in the owner’s manual, remembering that the fluid should not be completed but replaced. The coordinator stresses that the fluid plays a major role in the vehicle’s deceleration process and cannot be ignored.
Brake pads
Without the pads, the vehicle simply does not brake. The components are responsible for the action required to stop the rotating motion of the vehicle wheels. Therefore, before traveling, check that they are not worn or with any strange noise. The useful thickness of the friction material of the pads with the ugly disc may not be less than 3 millimeters. It is also important to remember that they should not be sanded when their surface is glazed, the most appropriate is to make the change. When replacing the items, the driver should avoid very sudden braking in the early days.
Drum brakes
Still widely used on rear axle wheels, the system features items such as drum, padded shoes, cylinders, springs and levers. The components must work together. Brake shoes, for example, have the role of affixing the pads and pressing them against the inner walls of the drum when the brake is applied. When worn, the tarpaulins can compromise braking, so it is best to change as soon as the situation is identified. Noises and difficulties in braking or keeping the vehicle stationary by the parking brake may be indicative of problems.
Brake discs
and drums
Brake discs and drums must not exceed the thickness below the minimum
specified by the vehicle manufacturer. This can cause serious problems since
during braking the component must be in good condition to cope with high
temperatures and extreme mechanical stress. Using the component below the
thickness may cause overheating, warping, cracking or even breakage.
Other important items such as tires, electrical
system and filters should be checked in the review. You need to check that
flashlights, headlights, reverse light, arrows and warning light are working
properly. Safety equipment such as triangle, jack and wheel wrench should also
be in good condition, as should the tires and spare wheel. The condition of the
wiper blades and the defogger must be observed before hitting the
ABOUT COBREQ
Cobreq is one of the brands of the TMD Friction group, the largest brake pad manufacturer in the world. The company develops pads, shoes and brake pads covering light, heavy and motorcycle vehicles. Located in an area of 100,000 m² in Salto, São Paulo countryside, the factory represents one of the largest units of the TMD Friction group outside Europe. For more information, visit www.cobreq.com.br.
About TMD Friction Group
TMD Friction, a group of Nisshinbo Holdings Inc., is a global leader in manufacturing brake pads for the automotive industry. It also manufactures disc brake pads and drum brake pads for applications on various types of vehicles. Its product portfolio also includes sport brake pads as well as friction materials for this segment. TMD Friction serves the global spare parts market through the Textar, Nisshinbo, Mintex, Don, Pagid and Cobreq brands, as well as developing and producing industry friction linings under the Cosid and Dynotherm brands. TMD Friction Group has four manufacturing plants in Germany, as well as other units in Europe, the USA, Brazil, Mexico, China, Japan and South Africa. The group has over 5,000 employees worldwide. For more information, visit www.tmdfriction.com.
Press Info:
Alfapress Communications
Fabiana Groppo – Consultora de Comunicação
[email protected]
(55-19) 997816909
