Keep Your Volvo's Brakes in Better Condition with These Five Tips

Volvos are among the safest cars on the road, and the brakes are a big part of that. They’re also one of the systems where a little attention saves the most money. Ignore them, and a simple job turns into an expensive one.

Here are five ways to get the most out of your brakes and stay safe doing it.

1. Have your brakes checked regularly

A good rule is every six months to a year, or any time the car is in for service. A quick look at pad thickness, rotor condition and brake fluid tells you how much life is left, so nothing comes as a surprise.

Brake fluid deserves a mention here. It absorbs moisture over time, which lowers its performance and can corrode parts from the inside. Ask when yours was last changed.

2. If you hear a new noise, don’t wait

Squealing, screeching and grinding all mean something. A squeal is often the wear indicator telling you the pads are getting low. Grinding usually means the pads are gone and metal is cutting into the rotor.

Get noises checked right away. Caught at the squeal, it’s often pads only. Left until it grinds, it’s pads and rotors.

3. Replace your pads on time

Brake pads are designed to wear out. That’s their job, and it protects the rest of the system. Replacing them on time, even when there’s no noise yet, keeps the rotors and calipers in good shape and keeps the bill small.

4. Pay attention to the brake warning light

A brake light on the dash can mean several things:

• the parking brake is still on
• the brake fluid is low
• the pads are worn (on Volvos with pad wear sensors)
• there’s a problem in the hydraulic system

Check the parking brake first. If the light stays on, have it looked at before you keep driving. A soft or sinking pedal along with the light means stop and call.

5. Take your Volvo to a Volvo specialist

Brakes are less make-specific than some systems, so plenty of shops can do a brake job. The advantage of a Volvo specialist is everything around it. We know which parts suit your model, and while the wheels are off we’re looking at the suspension, the hoses and the rest of the car with eyes that know what’s normal for a Volvo.

If you own a Volvo and live in the greater Seattle area, give us a call at (206) 789-0736 or send us a note, and let us help with your Volvo’s brakes and more.