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Ms. Loretta and the crew, thank you so much for taking care of me and the awesome work you guys do! I received exceptional and prompt service. Thank you for your kindness and for blessing me in the most unexpected way. May God bless you and your families!
- B. Barber
By far the best service and honest service EVER been going there 10 years they keep me on the road safe!!!! Love the birds too!! Loretta you da best thank you and your staff.... you run a great business!!
- kelly mcelroy
On Oct. 1st we came in to purchase a full set of tires for our F-150. They were ordered and installed the following day. While there on the two occasions, I couldn't help but notice the excellent customer service being given to everyone who walked in. The service was over and above anything you see anywhere anymore. Kudos to Barton Atkins for making everyone feel valued!
- Patricia Jones
THANK YOU!!! Today I pulled in with a nearly flat tire and i was immediately taken in and on my way within 30 min!!! What a Godsend, really; They really do take care of you!! My favorite of all times! THANK YOU!!
- Marcia S Thomas
the Seredni Tire on West Broad near Libbie does a fantastic job...they take good care of my car, their prices are very reasonable (both tires and maintenance/repair costs) and they are pleasant folks to do business with. I tell all my 70 + women friends about this place!
- Laura Hall

News

24

How Do My Brakes Work?

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It’s a sunny day and you’re driving down the road with your windows down and music turned up. All of a sudden, the car in front of you stops abruptly, causing you to slam on your brakes. Thank goodness your brakes worked perfectly, and you avoided a collision. Until this incident occurred you probably haven’t given your brake system much thought. Sure, you know your brakes should be inspected and serviced every once in a while… but how do they actually make your car stop with just a tap of the foot? How Brakes Work
 
When you really stop and think, you realize brakes are a pretty amazing invention. They have the power to bring a large, multi-ton machine traveling at 70 miles per hour to a complete stop with just a push of the pedal. This ability is all thanks to science! 
 
A moving car has a lot of kinetic energy, meaning “energy in motion.” To stop your car, your brakes must eliminate that kinetic energy. When you push your foot to the pedal, a connected lever will be pushed into a small cylinder filled with hydraulic fluid in its reservoir. This causes the hydraulic fluid to travel through a system of lines into other larger cylinders, or calipers, located by the wheel. When fluid enters the caliper, this pushes the caliper to actuate the brake pad against the brake rotor. When the brake pad and brake rotor meet, this generates friction which in turn slows down the outer wheel and tire… bringing your car to a complete stop! Simple, right? 
 
The brakes themselves are one of two types: disc brakes or drum brakes. Drum brakes appear similar to a drum, hence the name. Drum brakes have shoes located inside the drum which are pushed outward when you press your brake pedal. This causes the shoes to rub the inside of the drum and slow the wheel. Disc brakes operate a bit differently. Disc brakes use a metal rotor which spins with the wheel. When you push the pedal, a caliper squeezes the brake pads against the rotor and slows the wheel. This action is very similar to the one you would use to stop a spinning disc by squeezing it between your fingers!
 
The next time you drive your vehicle, take a moment to appreciate your brake system and the science used to bring your car to a halt with just the tap of a pedal. Take care of your brake system by having it inspected and serviced regularly by an experienced technician to ensure that when you need your car to stop, it will. 
Categories: Auto Repair 101 | View Count: (151) | Return

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Seredni Tire & Auto Center proudly serves the local Mechanicsville, VA and Richmond, VA and Chesterfield, VA area. We understand that getting your car fixed or buying new tires can be overwhelming. Let us help you choose from our large selection of tires. We feature tires that fit your needs and budget from top quality brands, such as Michelin®, BFGoodrich®, Uniroyal®, and more. We pride ourselves on being your number one choice for any auto repair. Let us earn your business. Schedule an appointment today.