If your brake pedal feels hard under pressure, but you aren't slowing down: get those brake lines checked.

To ensure your safety on the road, you need to conduct comprehensive vehicle check-ups regularly. Sure signs that the brakes are overdue for service are brakes feeling soft or spongy, pedal going lower than usual or - the opposite - is harder to push down, brake fluid leak, squealing or grinding sounds, car takes longer to stop, steering wheel shudder or the car pulling to one side when braking.

When you push the brake pedal down, pressure is applied to a plunger within the master cylinder. This action forces hydraulic brake oil through tubes and hoses to disc or drum brakes housed in each wheel arch. Brakes are among the most regularly used automotive components and wear down over time, requiring servicing.

When you take your vehicle into a Repco Authorised Service Centre for a brake service, our mechanics will:

• Check disk brake pad and/or drum shoe pad wear levels
• Replace brake and shoe pads, if they are worn past a safe level
• Inspect brake fluid levels and refill if necessary
• Replace system components that are not in working order
• Test the vehicle out on the road to make sure newly fitted components are working properly

Further component in need that may need to be repaired in a brake service are the disc rotors. Over time disc rotors can wear unevenly, so to ensure maximum breaking efficiency they may be grinded or machined to create a smoother surface.

To inspect if your brake material is in good shape, or check the status of your brake pads, fluids and hoses, and to be sure on the road, book a repair at BSL Mechanical online!