Auto technician inspecting brake pads

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1001 N Beckley Ave
Desoto, TX
972.892.9215

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MON-SAT: 7:00am-7:00pm
SUN: 9:00am-5:00pm
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How Do Car Brakes Work?

Firestone complete auto care performs nearly one million brake repairs every year.

How Car Brakes Work

When you apply your vehicle's brakes to stop at a traffic light or avoid a road hazard, you count on them to keep you, your passengers, and your vehicle safe. But you likely don’t give much thought to how they work.

There are two types of car brakes: disc brakes and drum brakes. Both disc brakes and drum brakes work by using friction and resistance to convert kinetic energy into heat energy. A hydraulic system creates that friction. Fluid moves through brake lines in the hydraulic system to create pressure, pushing disc brake pads against the brake rotors and stopping the car. Drum brakes work the same way, with brake shoes pressing against the drum. All cars come equipped with four brakes: two rear brakes and two front brakes. In most cars, front brakes are primarily responsible for halting your vehicle and provide 60% to 90% of the vehicle's stopping power.

When Should I Get My Brakes Checked?

When Should I Get My Brakes Checked?

It's important to have your brakes checked whenever you notice your brakes aren’t working properly or showing signs of wear. But you shouldn't wait to have your brakes checked until there's a problem! Routine brake maintenance should be done at least once a year. A professional at Firestone Complete Auto Care can inspect components like the:

  • Brake lines
  • Brake fluid
  • Brake rotors and drums
  • Brake pads and shoes
  • Brake hoses
  • Brake calipers and wheel cylinders
  • Master cylinder
  • Brake booster

Give your vehicle a break and stop by your neighborhood Firestone Complete Auto Care for a free brake check* today. *Brake service costs extra.

How Long Do Car Brakes Last?

Over time, brake rotors and brake pads wear out. Brake pads can last 25,000 to 65,000 miles, depending on your driving behavior, while brake rotors can last 15,000 to 70,000 miles before they need to be replaced or resurfaced. A trained professional at Firestone Complete Auto Care can determine whether your brake pads and rotors need to be serviced. To prevent your brake system — including the brake pads and rotors — from stopping you in your tracks, head to your local Firestone Complete Auto Care for a free brake check and regular maintenance.

Keep in mind that driving with worn brake pads can lead to damage of the brake rotors and calipers, decrease braking response or cause your vehicle to shake and vibrate when you try to stop.

 

WHAT KIND OF BRAKES DOES MY CAR HAVE?

Your vehicle has disc brakes or drum brakes, or a combination of the two. Most modern cars come with disc brakes. Typically most front brakes on vehicles sold in the U.S. are disc brakes, but you may find the rear brakes are drum brakes.

Why are disc brakes better? They typically last longer than drum brakes, do abetter job of dissipating heat, and hold up better in wet weather.

These days, you’ll find that most newer vehicles come with an anti-lock braking system. This system helps prevent the brakes from locking up. Brakes locking up can lead to skidding and a loss of steering control.

WHY DOES MY CAR SHAKE WHEN I BRAKE?

Damaged brake rotors or drums can cause your vehicle to shake when you brake. However, other factors can cause your vehicle to shake when you apply the brakes, including:

  • Loose front end components
  • Worn steering components
  • Dry guide pins
  • Poor alignment
  • Worn brake pads

If your vehicle is shaking while braking, the issue is likely brake related or due to loose or worn steering/suspension components. No matter what’s causing your car to shake when you brake, an expert technician at Firestone Complete Auto Care can diagnose the problem.

 

Auto Care Tips & Advice

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SHOWING 3 ARTICLES
comparison of new and worn brake pads
Brakes

4 Things That Can Happen When You Drive With Worn Brakes

Thinking about driving with worn brakes? Find out what can happen if you drive with worn brakes, is it safe to drive with worn brakes, and signs it’s time for a tune-up.


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Worn vehicle brake rotors and pads against a white backdrop
Brakes

All or One: Should You Replace All Brake Pads At Once?

Can you replace just one set of brake pads? Answer that question and more as you learn why braking system maintenance is crucial for safety and performance.


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Drivers experinceing brakes locking up while they are driving
Brakes

Why Are My Brakes Locking Up While Driving?

It’s terrifying when your brakes lock up. Learn the potential causes of brakes locking up while driving, how to prevent it in the future, and how to react when they do.


Read More
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21997
Firestone Complete Auto Care
1001 N Beckley Ave
Desoto, TX 75115-4261
972.892.9215
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7:00am-7:00pm
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9:00am-5:00pm
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20079
Firestone Complete Auto Care
3720 W Camp Wisdom Rd
Dallas, TX 75237-2510
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972.892.9207
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18643
Firestone Complete Auto Care
210 E Camp Wisdom Rd
Duncanville, TX 75116-2704
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972.892.9206
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291660
Firestone Complete Auto Care
2510 W Interstate 20
Grand Prairie, TX 75052
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972.730.9181
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326687
Firestone Complete Auto Care
321 Stadium Dr
Waxahachie, TX 75165-1437
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972.268.9325
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909091
Firestone Complete Auto Care
1430 Greenville Ave
Dallas, TX 75206-7745
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214.506.0127
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303390
Firestone Complete Auto Care
1698 U.s. 287 Frontage Rd
Mansfield, TX 76063-8852
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817.405.7070
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29114
Firestone Complete Auto Care
5505 S Cooper St
Arlington, TX 76017-4403
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817.617.8760
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7226
Firestone Complete Auto Care
4370 Lovers Ln
Dallas, TX 75225-6921
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214.888.2080
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679038
Firestone Complete Auto Care
1918 W Pioneer Pkwy
Arlington, TX 76013-6107
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817.617.7025
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7:00am-6:00pm
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20257
Firestone Complete Auto Care
2401 N Belt Line Rd
Irving, TX 75062-5115
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972.893.1827
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19259
Firestone Complete Auto Care
6615 E Nw Hwy
Dallas, TX 75231-8011
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214.888.2079
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7382
Firestone Complete Auto Care
10502 Garland Rd
Dallas, TX 75218-2637
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214.572.8669
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7:00am-7:00pm
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17183
Firestone Complete Auto Care
3501 Gus Thomasson Rd
Mesquite, TX 75150-3699
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972.892.9209
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7:00am-6:00pm
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10588
Firestone Complete Auto Care
2221 N Galloway Ave
Mesquite, TX 75150-5700
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972.892.9208
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29483
Firestone Complete Auto Care
4319 Little Rd
Arlington, TX 76016-5604
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817.476.7737
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7:00am-7:00pm
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26425
Firestone Complete Auto Care
5410 N Macarthur Blvd
Irving, TX 75038-3103
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972.793.8016
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7:00am-7:00pm
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7447
Firestone Complete Auto Care
11888 Marsh Ln
Dallas, TX 75234-8083
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972.892.9211
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19984
Firestone Complete Auto Care
903 W Centerville Rd
Garland, TX 75041-5824
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972.892.9210
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7:00am-6:00pm
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22756
Firestone Complete Auto Care
7550 N Macarthur Blvd
Irving, TX 75063-7510
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972.892.7514
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19313
Firestone Complete Auto Care
9070 Forest Ln
Dallas, TX 75243-4115
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214.888.2078
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7:00am-7:00pm
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8842
Firestone Complete Auto Care
3221 Harwood Rd
Bedford, TX 76021-3901
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817.554.8882
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7:00am-7:00pm
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26492
Firestone Complete Auto Care
14010 Montfort Dr
Dallas, TX 75240-4308
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972.892.7517
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7:00am-7:00pm
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26549
Firestone Complete Auto Care
1001 Bridgewood Dr
Fort Worth, TX 76112-0803
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817.653.8607
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7:00am-7:00pm
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679011
Firestone Complete Auto Care
7831 Spring Valley Rd
Dallas, TX 75254-2841
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972.892.7521
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21431
Firestone Complete Auto Care
1005 S Josey Ln
Carrollton, TX 75006-7663
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972.360.9919
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7:00am-7:00pm
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29319
Firestone Complete Auto Care
4570 W Buckingham Rd
Garland, TX 75042-4514
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972.892.9213
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7:00am-7:00pm
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7137
Firestone Complete Auto Care
245 Harwood Rd
Bedford, TX 76021-4158
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817.345.7767
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7:00am-7:00pm
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20230
Firestone Complete Auto Care
1233 Melbourne Rd
Hurst, TX 76053-6219
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817.580.7510
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7:00am-7:00pm
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9:00am-5:00pm
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904672
Firestone Complete Auto Care
50 N Fm 548
Forney, TX 75126-4170
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469.720.0140
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7:00am-7:00pm
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9:00am-5:00pm
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