PARKING BRAKES

Use the parking brake every time you park the car in order to keep it functioning. Corrosion is the enemy of the parking brake. If you have not regularly used the parking brake, have your technician lubricate the cables and check the adjustment.:)
Using Your Brakes Properly
Think of your brake system as an extension of your body. If you push on the brake pedal and the car does not respond as expected, you might be in trouble. Learn your vehicle and learn to apply the right amount of brake pedal force for each stop. Be aware of different conditions of loading such as the occasional vacation trip or towing a trailer. Brake fade can happen during high-speed stops, descending long hills or sometimes just trying to stop a loaded vehicle. It is better to apply more brake at the beginning of the stop than later in the stop when fade is starting.
When driving on wet or slippery roads, remember that a skidding wheel has less control. Do not apply more brake than you need. If you have ABS, let the system help you. Drive normally, brake normally with the same amount of pedal pressure (do not pump the brakes), and steer as necessary

MASTER CYLINDER

The master cylinder is the heart of the system, pumping brake fluid when you step on the pedal to apply the brakes. Brake fluid can pick up moisture and contaminates and should be replaced about every 25,000 miles or at lining replacement, whichever is sooner. A low fluid level may indicate a leak or excessive brake lining wear. An immediate visual inspection of the brakes at all four wheels, the linings, the hoses, and the steel brake lines is recommended

Caution: not all fluids are compatible. Use only the fluid type listed on the lid of the master cylinder (example, DOT 3).
Calipers & wheel cylinder The disc brake calipers and the drum brake wheel cylinders convert the pressurized brake fluid into muscle power to apply the brakes. Visually inspect for leaks around the rubber seals, and rebuild or replace if leaks are detected

ABS Sensors & Controller
ABS systems monitor wheel speed, tell the computerized controller when a wheel or wheels are about to lock-up, and modulate the brakes. When the brakes are being modulated (an ABS event), it is often possible to feel this as a pulsing of the brake pedal. These systems are electronically controlled, have extremely high reliability, and are self-diagnosing. The amber ABS lamp comes on for a bulb check at start-up and will light if there is a malfunction that shuts down the system. Some malfunctions, such as a loose wire or an improperly adjusted wheel bearing, may be temporarily self-correcting. The computer stores a record of these malfunctions in order to advise the technician of any needed service.

When Brakes Talk, Drivers Should Listen
When it comes to driving safely, it's easy to take your vehicle's ability to stop for granted -until you really need it.
According to brake expert, your brakes often reveal possible serious situations when they make noise, pull, judder-another term for vibrate-or feel soft. Addressing these symptoms promptly enhances your safety and may save time and money in the long run

Brake Squealing and groaning
Squealing noises soon after a brake job may indicate there is a problem. You should return to the shop where the work was done as soon as possible, to have the brakes checked out by a technician. Installing premium brake pads, calipers and rotors may cost a bit more up front, but often provides noise- and vibration-free operation and longer pad life.
In some instances, however, brake squealing simply indicates the pads are worn down and those squeaking wear indicators are doing their job.

The abrasive nature of many traditional brake pads against the rotor may also cause squealing. Low quality rotors could be the noise culprit, as well. Neither of these situations is ideal, but the resulting noise is more annoying than anything else. Groaning noises also can be caused by low quality or abrasive brake pads. Squealing and groaning can both be minimized by installing premium brake system components. Have your installer use the same type of pad fitted as original equipment or an upgrade pad. Ultra-premium ceramic pads,

Pulling and Judder
When your brakes are applied and the vehicle pulls to one side, low tire pressure may be at fault. But, it can also mean a brake caliper is sticking, leaking or not sliding properly due to corrosion. This can lead to uneven brake pad and rotor wear, reducing the life of the pads and causing steering wheel judder or vibration. The rotor may be able to be machined smooth, but this is not a long-term fix. A corroded caliper or rotor may need to be replaced. A trained technician can assess the situation and fix it right the first time.

Soft –Pedal Feel
When air or water gets into the brake system, you may experience a soft-pedal feel. Improper bleeding and general corrosion are typically the culprits. Air in the system forces you to push harder on the brake pedal than normal to stop.Water can adversely affect caliper performance by causing brake fluid to boil prematurely. This can result in a significant loss of stopping power. It's best to have the brake fluid changed as recommended.
Motorists can learn a lot by paying attention to what their brakes have to say. It can be a key to being both safe on the road-and with their money.