Maintaining Your Chevy’s Brake System: Tips and Advice

Mar 21, 2025

Your brakes are designed to activate almost instantly once you hit the brake pedal, and they should bring your vehicle to an almost instant stop. In time, brake components will get damaged or worn, and you’ll need a brake repair. We’d like you to know a few signs you need to visit us for Chevy brake maintenance.

Brake Fluid Leak

Brake fluid is stored in the brake fluid reservoir and provides the hydraulic power that forces the braking system to work. Pressurized brake fluid is forced through the hoses to the calipers when you hit the brakes. The fluid pushes the pins out of the calipers, and they close against the rotors. Brake pads inside the calipers generate friction, which brings the wheels to a halt.

As time passes, the brake hoses can become damaged, or worn seals can fail, and the fluid will leak. As fluid is lost, the pedal’s resistance drops when you push on it. Low brake fluid is dangerous, as a lack of fluid can prevent the brakes from working, causing an accident. We’ll find and repair the leak, refill the fluid, and the brakes will work correctly again.

Pulling to One Side

As we saw above, the calipers close on the rotors when you apply the brakes. All four calipers engage simultaneously to bring your Chevy to a smooth stop. If your vehicle pulls to one side when you brake, and one of the wheels continues to move until brought to a stop by the others, you have a brake problem.

Pulling to one side is caused by either a blockage on the brake hose leading to a particular caliper or the affected caliper could be damaged. The caliper’s positions mean they can become damaged by stones or other hard objects thrown up from the surface. They can also develop rust, which eventually prevents them from moving. A blockage in the hose prevents the fluid from reaching the caliper and forcing it to close. We find and fix the problem.

Overheating Brakes

Braking generates heat, and the more often you brake, the hotter the fluid becomes as it doesn’t get the chance to cool down. This is a particular problem if your brake fluid isn’t regularly changed, as older brake fluid absorbs water. As the brake fluid gets hotter, the water heats and can eventually boil. The boiling water creates air bubbles that block the brake hoses, preventing the brakes from engaging.

If your brakes overheat, you’ll smell a strong chemical odor. We advise you to pull over ASAP and allow the brakes to cool. We’ll drain and replace the fluid to fix this issue.

If you have a brake problem, contact our service department at Blue Ribbon Chevrolet in Sallisaw, OK.

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