At Mercedes-Benz of Fort Myers, our team of service experts is always here to help you get the most out of your vehicle. In addition to the expert help offered at our Fort Myers Mercedes-Benz service center, we also offer tips you can use on your daily Bonita Springs drives. Today, we’re talking brakes, and these are our four tips for prolonging the life of your Mercedes-Benz brakes.
1. Avoid Harsh Braking on New Pads
When you visit us for Mercedes-Benz brake servicing in Fort Myers, we’ll bed-in your new brakes before we give your vehicle back. This starts the process of mating the brake pads with the brake rotors for prolonged life and stopping power, but in reality it takes about 50 miles of driving to ensure a thorough process. We don’t want to put that many miles on your vehicle, so it’s important that you take the baton once we give your vehicle back. For the first few drives after your new brakes are installed, try to stop using consistent and firm pedal pressure rather than feathering or slamming on the brakes. Obviously, emergency situations may require you to stop all at once, but if you can avoid doing so, it is best for the life of your brakes.
2. Don’t Drag the Brake Pedal
”Dragging” the brake pedal is easy to do, especially in stop and go traffic. You may be inclined to hover your foot over the brakes, but if you’re not careful, you could be applying pressure to the pedal while you do so. This will wear out the brakes without really slowing you down, shortening their lifespan.
3. Listen for Squeals or Grinding
If your brakes are squealing even once they’re warmed up, that’s a sign that you have worn brake pads or caliper components. If brake pads are too worn, they can cause severe rotor damage. Meanwhile, caliper squealing means something is out of place and rubbing where it shouldn’t be, which can also cause damage.
4. Trust a Professional
Working on brakes is important to your safety and the life of your vehicle. Proper cleaning of components, proper torque values, and knowing which parts can be reused are all important to brake maintenance and keeping your vehicle safe. The Mercedes-Benz service center at our Fort Myers dealership is home to Certified Master Technicians and Mercedes-Benz experts that have decades of experience in keeping Fort Myers drivers safe and on the road. Pay us a visit for your Mercedes-Benz brake service today!
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