Back to all

Braking News: Keep Your Stopping Power

September 8, 2022

Richard Petty once told AutoNetTV, “You've gotta have good brakes. If you've got good brakes you can keep yourself out of a lotta trouble.”

That's why a regular brake inspection is on every Lockport driver's maintenance schedule. An inspection by your service advisor at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport will check your brake system and let you know if there are any problems.

Of course, if you're having trouble with your brakes, get your car into Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport in Lockport right away. Here are some symptoms for Lockport drivers to watch for:

  • Low or spongy brake pedal
  • Hard brake pedal
  • A brake warning light that stays on
  • Constantly squealing or grinding brakes
  • Vibrations or clunking sounds when you apply your brakes

If you are experiencing any of these, it's time to get your brakes checked. Talk to your friendly and knowledgeable service advisor at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport .

There are two types of brakes: disc and drum. Disc brakes have a rotor that's attached to the axle. Calipers straddle the rotor, kind of like the brakes on a bicycle.

Drum brakes are most common on back wheels. Both types have pads or shoes that press against the brakes and slow the vehicle. Brake pads and shoes are made out of very tough material to withstand the heat and force generated when stopping your vehicle. Eventually, they wear out with use and become too thin and need to be replaced at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport. 

If the brake pads wear away completely, you can damage the rotors. The calipers can grind grooves in the rotor. Then the rotor must either be resurfaced or replaced. That's not only expensive but also dangerous because your vehicle won't stop as quickly. Sometimes rotors warp or crack and must be replaced.

A brake service at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport will also include a check of your brake fluid. When the brakes are applied, the pressure in the fluid activates the brake pads or shoes. Not enough fluid means not enough pressure to brake properly. Also, water builds up in the brake fluid over time, which leads to corrosion, leaks and brake damage, and with hard use, the brakes could severely fade or even fail. Lockport  drivers should change the brake fluid when their  vehicle manufacturer recommends to avoid these problems.

Come in to Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport for an brake inspection before damage occurs. You can call ahead for an appointment by calling 815-838-3700.

Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport
600 E 9th Street
Lockport, Illinois 60441
815-838-3700

More articles from Tuffy Lockport

You Are the Fluid Detective! (Leaking Fluids)

January 11, 2026

When you see some liquid sitting underneath your vehicle, your mind starts churning. Is that normal? Is that something serious, or did I just spill my drink? Heres a quick list of what those fluids look, smell and feel like, as well as what they might be. No, we dont recommend you taste them to ... More

Don?t Skip Out on These! (Vehicle Maintenance Items You Should Never Postpone)

January 4, 2026

Maybe that little sticker on your windshield is giving you the reminder that its time for your vehicle to have an oil change. Youve thought, Aw, I can skip this one and save myself a little money. When it comes to things you should never ignore on your vehicle, timely oil changes are number one... More

Smooth Operator (Shock Absorbers)

December 28, 2025

When you are comfortably headed down the road, you may not realize how many of the imperfections in the driving surface are being smoothed out, so you hardly feel most of them. You can thank your shock absorbers for a lot of that comfort, and its important to make sure you keep your shocks in go... More