Different Types of Car Brakes and Systems

Out of all the various auto parts and features, there’s hardly one more important than your car brake system. It’s the most original and necessary safety feature your vehicle uses to keep you safe. Think about it. What would you do if you were driving and you couldn’t stop?

While most drivers’ understanding of the car brake doesn’t extend beyond pressing a pedal and slowing down, there’s a lot more to this essential part. At Toyota of North Charlotte we’ve compiled the various types of brakes your vehicle might be using and what makes each one so unique.

What Are the Different Types of Car Brakes?

Before we dive into the different types of Charlotte car brakes that are out there, let’s check out a little bit of the history behind these parts:

• At their inception, brakes were made of blocks of wood that created friction against wheels on horse drawn carriages. This type of brake system was able to stop these vehicles due to low RPMs and ample friction between wood and metal.
• The Michelin brothers introduced rubber tires in the 1890s and rendered this system useless.
• In 1902, Louis Renault pioneered the mechanical drum brake which used a cable-wrapped drum that attached to the vehicle chassis.
• From there, different types of brakes were fitted to a variety of vehicles. This includes the hydraulic brake in 1921, the internal shoe car brake, and other Charlotte brake systems.

Now that you know a bit of the history behind the most rudimentary automotive safety part, let’s check out the different types you can find on vehicles today:

Electromagnetic Brakes

Used on several types of hybrid Charlotte Toyota vehicles, electromagnetic brakes work by connecting to an electric motor and recouping energy as they’re used. This makes using your more efficient and provides your hybrid electric motor with a bit of charge.

Frictional Brakes

Commonly found on bicycles and in Charlotte Toyota cars, this type of car brake system works by creating friction between two surfaces. You can identify this system by the presence of pads and shoes. When applied, these brakes press pads against a rotating surface (the rotor) to eventually stop the vehicle.

Hydraulic Brakes

This type of car brake system is unique in its use of fluids to bring your ride to a stop. By using several metal and rubber fittings attached to cylinder in the wheels, this Charlotte brake system uses pressure to separate pistons to force brake pads into the cylinders and bring your vehicle to a stop.

Emergency Brake

Your Charlotte Toyota e-brake is unique in the fact that it works outside of the brakes on your wheels. Using a pedal or a handle, the e-brake, when activated, tensions a cable that connects your rear wheels and holds your vehicle. Most drivers use this function when parking but it can be used in place of your typical brakes in the event of auto part failure.

Do you have questions about how car brakes work? Toyota of North Charlotte is here with answers! Chat with us online or visit the dealership at 13429 Statesville Road today.