Can Your Car or Truck Brakes Rust? How It Happens and What to Do About It
This winter has brought Harrisburg plenty of snow and rain to Central Pennsylvania. And with snow and rain, comes the possibility of rust. But does that include the brakes on your vehicle? Yes, your car or truck’s brakes can rust, and it happens more often than you might think—especially if your vehicle sits for long periods or is frequently exposed to moisture. And unfortunately, rusted brakes can reduce performance, cause annoying squeaking noises, and even lead to dangerous brake failure if left unaddressed.
So, in this blog the experts at Meineke in Harrisburg take a look at how rust affects your brakes, how to prevent it, and what to do if you find your brakes are rusty.
How Do Brakes Rust?
Brake rotors and other components are made of metal. And this makes them vulnerable to rust when exposed to water, humidity, road salt, and dirt. So, if your vehicle sits idle for a few days, you might notice a thin layer of rust forming on the rotors. And, this is normal and usually wears off when you start driving. However, severe rust buildup—especially on brake pads and calipers—can cause serious problems.
How to Prevent Rusted Brakes
- Drive Your Vehicle Regularly – Using your brakes helps clear off light surface rust before it becomes a bigger issue.
- Avoid Parking in Damp Areas – If possible, park in a garage rather than outside in the rain or snow to prevent rusted brakes.
- Wash Your Car, Especially in Winter – Road salt accelerates rust. So, rinsing your brakes after driving in wet or salty conditions helps.
- Apply an Anti-Rust Spray – Specialized brake cleaners and rust inhibitors can provide extra protection.
What to Do If Your Brakes Are Rusty
- For light surface rust, take a drive and apply the brakes a few times to let the friction remove it.
- For heavy rust buildup, especially if braking feels rough or your vehicle pulls to one side, call Meineke in Harrisburg to have their ASE certified expert inspect and clean the brake system.
- If your brakes feel weak, make grinding noises, or the pedal feels spongy, don’t ignore it. Because severe rust may be compromising your brake pads or rotors. And they might need replacement. So, contact Meineke on Jonestown Road in Harrisburg to assess the issue and solve your brake problems.
Meineke in Harrisburg Can Help if You Discover Rusted Brakes
Keeping an eye on your brakes and taking preventive measures can help avoid costly repairs. And it can ensure your vehicle stops safely when you need it most. But, if you discover your have rusted brakes on your car or truck, Meineke on Jonestown Road in Harrisburg can help.
If the Meineke on Jonestown Road in Harrisburg is not a convenient auto repair center for you, Meineke has 14 car repair centers is South Central Pennsylvania:
- Meineke Car Care Center – Pleasant View Road
331 Pleasant View Rd, New Cumberland, PA 17070
Call (844) 299-1139
- Meineke Car Care Center – Rodney Road
Participating EV Location
1775 Rodney Road, York, PA 17408
Call (855) 899-9154 - Meineke Car Care Center – South Queen Street
855 South Queen Street, York, PA 17403
Call (844) 851-6677 - Meineke Car Care Center – Market Street
2301 E Market Street, York, PA 17402
Call (833) 825-4442 - Meineke Car Care Center – 2nd Street
201 N. 2nd Street, New Freedom, PA 17349
Call (888) 547-7072 - Meineke Car Care Center – Baltimore Street
Participating EV Location
871 Baltimore Street, Hanover, PA 17331
Call (714) 855-3821 - Meineke Car Care Center – Carlisle Street
1125 Carlisle Street, Hanover, PA 17331
Call (855) 454-9358 - Meineke Car Care Center – Carlisle Pike
6510 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Call (833) 428-8313 - Meineke Car Care Center – East Chocolate Ave
1401 East Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033
Call (717) 508-4253 - Meineke Car Care Center – Gettysburg Road
Participating EV Location
2236 Gettysburg Rd, Camp Hill, PA 17011
Call (855) 368-4189 - Meineke Car Care Center – Jonestown Road
4509 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109
Call (888) 858-9835 - Meineke Car Care Center – Paxton Street
3098 Paxton Street, Harrisburg, PA 17111
Call (866) 561-5307 - Meineke Car Care Center – Manheim Pike
1220 Manheim Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601
Call (855) 424-4280 - Meineke Car Care Center – Main Street
Participating EV Location
5988 Main Street, East Petersburg, PA 17520
Call (717) 925-0634
Meineke Car Care in Harrisburg, PA
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