Think Your Car Is Too New to Need Brakes? Here's Why You Might be Wrong

For many of us, buying a new car means lower car maintenance and repair costs. And we assume that will be the case for many years to come.But here's a case of a 2015 Mazda 6 with only 27,000 miles on it that needed new rear brake pads and brake rotors. Why?

The Brake Pads Don't Always Wear Out First

The photo above helps tell the story. The rear brake rotors had rusted, most likely from the car sitting for several days at a time. And during it's first year, the car was parked outside, curbside in Chicago, subjecting it to the water and snow that would accumulate in the street during heavy rainstorms or snowfall.Normally, the entire flat surface of these rotors would be shiny from the brake pads riding along and being applied to this area. However, as you can see, at least half of the surface area is rusted. This means the brake pads weren't applying here at all. The rear brakes on this vehicle were only working at about half capacity.This reduced the overall braking effectiveness of the vehicle, and it was forcing the front brakes to work harder to make up for it.

Regular Inspections Saved The Front Brakes

This client had been in 6 months prior for an oil change, and the brakes were fine at that time. This is a prime example of why it's important to have your vehicle inspected at least twice per year. If the brakes had gone on much longer this way, the client would have needed new front brakes, too.Fortunately, this client came in for an oil change before a long road trip, and we were able to replace the brakes and rotors within 2 hours. This ensured safe, smooth travels for the family, and it helped to preserve the life of the front brake pads.Has it been awhile since your vehicle was in for an oil change or safety inspection? If so, schedule an appointment today.