Our team of experts is dedicated to making sure your vehicle won't let you down. We've got trained service technicians who can diagnose your vehicle concerns so you can enjoy smooth travels.
Are you noticing a vibration or pulsating sensation as you're driving around Costa Mesa? It's possible you may be having an issue with your brakes. Service Technician Andrew Armstrong provides us with a great service tip on brake pulsation, its cause, and how to avoid such a disaster:
What Is Brake Pulsation?
No matter what vehicle you're driving, pulsating brakes could mean that you'll need an Audi brake service. From Audi e-tron® brake services to Audi performance vehicle brake services, our team of experts can ensure your Audi drives smoothly on the Newport Beach roads. So, what is brake pulsation?
Before we answer the question, "What causes brake pulsation?" we'll go over what brake pulsation is in the first place so you know what to look out for when you're diagnosing an issue with your vehicle. Brake pulsation essentially feels like a vibration in your vehicle as you brake. Typically, you'll feel the vibration in your steering wheel and brake pedal.
What Causes Brake Pulsation?
Now that we've answered the question, "What is brake pulsation?" you may be wondering, "What causes brake pulsations in the first place?" Brake pulsations could be caused by a number of reasons but it typically happens when your brake rotors are warped. Brake rotors can become warped due to overheated brakes caused by excessive braking. Here's the usual process for how brake rotors can become warped:
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Brake rotors become warped under extreme conditions that cause them to overheat, such as excessive braking or fast stops.
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Once the rotors overheat, it changes the composition of the rotor and creates irregularities on the surface of the rotor.
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Sometimes, these irregularities are visible and can be referred to as hotspots. Hotspots usually appear discolored on the brake rotor in a blueish or blackish color.
How to Avoid Brake Pulsation
As you drive around Irvine, your brakes will begin to wear down, and you'll eventually need a brake service. As your brakes wear, it's easier for them to become warped, and it may not always be possible to avoid worn brake rotors and brake pulsation. However, there are different things you can do on your drives that allow you to prolong the lifespan of your brakes. Here's how to avoid brake pulsation:
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Ease Into Your Brakes: Make your stops more gradual and even.
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Coast: Try to coast to a slower speed before applying the brake pedal.
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Pay Attention: Look ahead in your route for obstacles that would cause you to need to stop suddenly.
Brake Pulsation Myth
Before we touch on why you should fix brake pulsations, it's important for you to understand the difference between your ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) activating and pulsating brakes. In the event that you need to apply your brakes during an emergency, you may subconsciously slam on your brake pedal.
Most modern vehicles equipped with ABS will rapidly apply the brakes to prevent your vehicle's tires from locking up. Locked-up tires could create a scenario where your vehicle could become uncontrollable, so ABS prevents that from happening. When ABS is activated, you'll often feel a pulsating sensation, and you may even hear a vibrating noise. This is a normal operating condition with your ABS and it's not your brakes pulsating.
Why Fix Brake Pulsation?
Once you feel a brake pulsation, the only remedy is a brake rotor replacement. But why should you fix brake pulsation? If your brakes are pulsating, it likely means your brake rotors are warped, and failure to replace them could result in unsafe driving conditions. Take a look at a few benefits you can enjoy when you replace your warped brake rotors:
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Better braking performance
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Smoother drives
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Increased heat dissipation properties
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Safer drives
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Less wear & tear on other braking components
Service Your Brakes at Audi Fletcher Jones
Whether you notice your brakes are pulsating or they're making a squeaking noise, our team at Audi Fletcher Jones can ensure you'll enjoy smooth Costa Mesa drives. We'll inspect and test your braking system so you can have confidence behind the wheel. If you're still wondering, "What causes brake pulsations?" you can always contact us online for more information. We're happy to help you schedule an appointment or even go over the cost of Audi brake services.