Automotive braking systems: Maintenance, wear, and technology

Automotive braking systems are critical safety components that undergo wear through mechanical use. Brake pads and discs degrade during braking, while brake fluid ages and components may suffer from corrosion or contamination. Factors such as vehicle weight, driving style, route profiles, and weather conditions significantly influence wear rates, meaning there are no fixed replacement intervals for all vehicles.

Modern braking technology encompasses hydraulic systems for passenger cars and pneumatic systems for commercial vehicles. Advanced electronic systems, including EBS, ESP, iBooster, and Integrated Power Brake (IPB), are increasingly central to current vehicle concepts. Maintenance and diagnosis involve understanding the physical-technical principles of power transmission and deceleration, as well as utilizing digital tools like the ASA-Livestream interface for standardized brake force testing.