Your Vehicle May be Telling You it’s Time to Replace Your Brakes
In terms of vehicle safety systems, few things are more important than your brakes. Fortunately, warning signs that your brake system needs attention can be fairly obvious, and if you choose not to ignore those signs, you can save yourself money on more expensive repairs down the road. Here is some guidance on how to recognize indicators that your brakes may need to be replaced.
Squealing’s a Sign
A common — and quickly recognizable — indicator of brake pad problems is a high-pitched squeaking or squealing sound that happens when you apply the brakes. What does that sound mean? Generally, it is a sign that your brake pads have worn down from use and are getting too thin to be effective. In many cases, the squealing sound is actually part of the brake pad design, engineered to be a wear alert and inform the driver that attention is needed. So don’t ignore it: your car is sending you a message.
Alternatively — or perhaps a while after the squealing noise started, if you ended up not heeding the wear alert — you may hear a grinding noise. This is more serious, and can indicate that the brake pads are completely worn down: now metal is rubbing against metal, and this can both damage the vehicle’s rotors and create a significant hazard to your vehicle’s ability to brake successfully. So if you hear a grinding sound when you apply the brakes, see to it as soon as possible.
More than a Feeling
Along with your hearing, you can also use your other senses to check in on your brake system status. In terms of touch, if your brakes feel spongy or squishy when you apply them, or the pedal travels farther than it feels like it should when you are braking, this can be a signal that there’s a problem with your brakes that needs to be addressed.
Additionally, a shaking or vibrating sensation when braking (either in the brakes or the steering wheel) can be a sign that your rotors are warped or that your brake pads have worn unevenly. And pulling (read: involuntarily steering to one side or the other) during the act of braking can be a sign of uneven wear on your vehicle’s rotors, or even a stuck caliper.
Some signs are even visual. In cases where your brake pads are visible, check out how thick they are. Brake pads with less than a quarter-inch thickness remaining usually require replacement.
The Nose Knows
Do your wheels smell funny after you’ve been driving? Any burning smell coming from your car is worth checking out, and that kind of smell from your vehicle’s wheels could indicate overheated brakes. This is the kind of problem you should get checked out immediately.
Trust the Auto Repair Pros
Pay attention when you’re driving your vehicle. If any of these signs of brake issues present themselves, it is almost certainly time to get a brake check from a professional service technician. Come and see the Auto Repair Pros — make an appointment, and we’ll make sure your vehicle is operating safely, and hopefully help prevent more serious issues and repairs in the future.
