People do not think about the rotors until they start to have problems with their VWs’ brake systems. The brake pads press against the rotors when you press down on the brake pedal. The two brake system parts generate friction to produce kinetic energy. The kinetic energy slows down and stops the Volkswagen. If your Volkswagen is doing any of the following things, it is most likely time to recut or replace the brake system’s rotors. We can do that here at our European auto shop.
Age-Related Wear and Tear
One of the first things that determines that it is time to replace the rotors is their age. For example, the rotors can last as little as 20,000 miles to as long as 60,000 miles or more. If you have high mileage on your VW’s odometer and you have never had the rotors changed, it’s time for an inspection at a minimum. This gives us a chance to inspect the rotors and replace them if necessary.
Vibrating Steering Wheel
You may also notice that your VW’s steering wheel has started to vibrate when you apply the brakes. This is an indication that the surfaces of the rotors are warped. When you apply the VW’s brakes, the slowing down and stopping of the vehicle should be smooth. The steering wheel should not vibrate.
Pulsating Brake Pedal
You also should not feel a pulsation in the brake pedal. This, too, points to a rotor surface that is worn out. As we mentioned above, the rotor surface helps to generate the friction that is needed to stop your VW. As such, drive straight to our shop if the steering wheel is vibrating or the brake pedal is pulsating.
Intermittent Squealing
Your VW’s brakes may also start to squeal if the rotor surface is too old. You may hear the squealing noise every time you apply the brakes or only intermittently. As an aside, your brakes will also squeal on the Volkswagen if they are overheating. The brakes can fail if they get too hot, so stop driving.
Rotors That Are Blue
Finally, the rotors deal with a ton of heat when they generate friction with the brake pads. This heat starts to discolor the rotors. When the rotors have dealt with too much heat and need to be replaced, they will turn blue. This is a huge sign to us when we inspect the rotors that we need to replace them.
We are experts in Volkswagen service and repair. Call us today if you would like us to inspect your rotors and the rest of the VW’s brake system.
