How does the hydraulic brake system work？

The braking system is the most important safety item on your vehicle, and it's also important to understand how it works and how to maintain it to prevent accidents. Hydraulic brakes are an arrangement of braking mechanisms that use brake fluid, usually containing glycol ether or diethylene glycol, to transfer pressure from the control mechanism to the braking mechanism. We have a quick guide to help you understand how your car's hydraulic braking system works as well as some brake car maintenance tips.

How does your car's braking system work?

How to maintain your car's braking system

Construction of hydraulic brake system

How does your car's braking system work?

All four wheels of a car have brakes that are operated by a hydraulic system. The brakes are either disc or drum type. Many cars have four-wheel disc brakes - although some cars have discs on the front wheels and drums on the rear wheels. Since a major part of stopping the car's forward momentum depends on the front brakes, the more effective disc brakes are deployed on the front wheels. Cheaper drum rack setups can provide enough help in stopping the car's motion, but are more cost effective. The car braking system works by following these steps.

When your foot depresses the brake pedal, the force generated by your leg is amplified several times by mechanical leverage. This is then further amplified by the brake booster.

The piston then enters the cylinder and squeezes the hydraulic fluid out of the end.

Hydraulic brake fluid is forced around the entire brake system within a network of brake lines and hoses.

Pressure is distributed equally to all four brakes.

This force creates friction between the brake pads and the disc brake rotors, which will stop your vehicle.

How to maintain your car's braking system

Car maintenance can help you save money without having to bring your car to the store only when there is a problem. Take extra care before you face an accident. When your vehicle receives its annual condition check, your brakes will be inspected for road use. These are some of the steps to maintain your car's braking system to help you.

Monitor the brake fluid level and have it checked every three months. Brake fluid should be changed every two years or every 30,000 to 40,000 miles.

When needed, brake discs should be replaced depending on your driving style and environmental conditions. For regular cars, brake discs should be replaced at similar intervals. Sports brakes should be replaced after 20,000 miles. When replacing the brakes, be sure to add new fluid to the master cylinder. Inquire about the service life schedule for this hydraulic fluid to extend the protection of the brake system.

Drain the brake lines to get the air out of the system. This means your brakes will be pumped when someone watches the bleeder valve and closes it when the brake fluid starts to flow through.

Check your brake pads and pads to make sure they are in good working order. If the brakes are badly worn, it's time to replace the pads.

Construction of hydraulic brake system

The most common arrangements of hydraulic brakes for passenger cars, motorcycles, scooters and mopeds include the following.

Brake pedal or lever

A push rod (also known as an actuator rod)

Master cylinder assembly containing a piston assembly (consisting of one or two pistons, a return spring, a series of gaskets / O-rings and a reservoir)

Hydraulic fluid lines

The caliper assembly typically consists of one or two hollow aluminum or chrome-plated steel pistons (called caliper pistons), a set of thermally conductive brake pads, and a rotor (also called a brake disc) or drum attached to a shaft.

The system is usually filled with a glycol ether-based brake fluid (other fluids may also be used).

At one time, passenger cars typically used drum brakes on all four wheels. Later, disc brakes were used on the front wheels and drum brakes were used on the rear wheels. However, disc brakes exhibit better heat dissipation and greater resistance to "fade" and are therefore generally safer than drum brakes. As a result, four-wheel disc brakes became increasingly popular, replacing drums on all but the most basic vehicles. However, many two-wheeled vehicle designs continue to use drum brakes for the rear wheels.

Conclusion

Understanding how car brakes work is an extremely important step that will give your car better care. If you have any further questions, please call us or leave a message.