Hino Summer Brake Promotion is Now On!

Braking systems are one of the most important components of your truck. Without them, driving safely is impossible! We all know that when you push down on the brake pedal, your vehicle comes to a stop. But many drivers out there don’t actually know how the entire braking system functions, or what kinds of maintenance is necessary to keep all braking components functioning as they should. An automotive braking system is a group of mechanical, electronic and hydraulically activated components which use friction  and  heat to stop a moving vehicle. Your brakes work in two distinct ways: mechanical advantage and hydraulic force manipulation. The brakes transmit the force caused by your leg to the pedal using friction, and then the tires transmit that friction to the road, allowing you to force the vehicle to a complete stop. If at any point one component in the braking system fails, a domino effect occurs throughout the entire system, rendering your brakes faulty and your truck a danger to yourself and other trucks on the road. Scheduled maintenance on your  brakes is essential for safe driving. We’ve broken down the components of your brakes and what to watch out for.

There are three major components that make up your Hino’s brake system: drum brakes, disc brakes and brake fluids. The three work harmoniously to keep your truck running smoothly. Disc brakes are made up of a disc, a  caliper assembly, disc brake pads and the wheel bearings and hardware that is necessary to mount the components on the vehicle.  The caliper is connected to the master cylinder through tubes, hoses and valves that conduct brake fluid through the system. Much like the disc brakes, drum brakes are comprised of a drum and backing plate, a  hub or axle assembly, brake shoes, wheel cylinder, wheel bearings and hardware that attaches to the vehicle, and connects to the master cylinder to transmit brake fluid throughout the system.

Brake fluids are a type of hydraulic fluid used in light-duty trucks like Hino’s.  It is used to transfer force under pressure from where it is created through hydraulic lines to the braking mechanism near the wheels. There are several issues to watch out for with brake fluid, like excess moisture and extreme cold weather, as brake fluids must reach a boiling point to operate effectively.

What are the warning signs?

If you suspect your brakes may be in distress, there are several symptoms to watch out for:

• Scraping or grinding noise coming from the brakes.
• Test of brake fluid indicates a copper content of 200 ppm or greater indicating the need for a fluid replacement.
• Brake pedal feels soft or spongy when the brakes pedal is depressed.
• Vehicle pulls to one side when the brakes are applied.
• Brake fluid level in master cylinder low.
• Brake system Warning Lamp stays illuminated.

At Somerville Hino, our Service Technicians will make sure your Hino is ready to go before you hit the road. Learn more about our summer brake promotion by calling us today at 1-(877) 650-6296.