Everything from your driving style to the roads you drive on and irregular routine maintenance can impact your car’s brakes.
And although only a professional mechanic can find out the exact cause and nature of your car brake issue, there are a few warning signs your car will give which are indicative of trouble.
Common
Brake Trouble Signs
We cannot stress enough upon the fact that
any kind of car brake trouble should be addressed immediately. Brake issues can
be a life and death situation not just for you, but for other drivers on the
road as well.
Which is why we have compiled a list of five warning signs which should tell you that is not well with your braking system. Don’t ignore the following signs.
Do you hear a high pitched grinding or squealing sound?
If yes, then it could be due to your car’s brake pads. High-pitched grinding or squealing noise is a strong indication that your brake pads need to be either replaced or adjusted.
- The squealing noise is generated mainly due to the wear indicator (a metal plate) scratching against the brake disc. This happens when the brake pads have worn out.
- But if the wear indicators of your car’s brake pads have completely worn off, then you will hear a grinding noise – this is because the brake pad backing plate is grinding against the rotor.
Do you feel a resistance in the brake pedal?
The job of the brake fluid is to transfer the force from the pedal to the brake pads – this action happens anytime you engage the brake pedal.
Now, if you are low on brake fluid, again there will be a reduction on the transfer of force from the pedal to the brake pads.
Another reason this could be happening is because of worn out brake pads. If this is the case, then you will notice that the pedal hitting the floor anytime you engage the brake pedal. Alternatively, a fault with the hydraulic system could also lead to this happening.
Do you feel a vibration in the steering or brake pedal?
- If there is a problem with your brake rotors, you might notice your steering vibrating or vibrations in the brake pedal any time you brake.
- The wear rate of your brake pads increases if your rotors are damaged – worn out brake pads cannot function 100% leading a reduction in their effectiveness.
- In addition, wheel alignment issues can also lead to vibrations in the steering.
- If you notice a vibration either in your steering or the brake pedal, have it check out by a professional vehicle technician as soon as possible. Driving with a compromised braking system is extremely risky!
Don’t ignore brake warning lights!
Anytime your dashboard lights up with a warning light, don’t ignore it. If the brake pad warning light on your dashboard is on, either your brake pad has reached its wear limit, of it could also be due to low brake fluid levels or there is a leak in the system.
Check your car manual to understand why the warning light is flashing. If however, you are unsure about the cause, consult with a professional car technician.
Does your vehicle veer to one side when you hit the brakes?
- A vehicle veering to one side either when you take your hands off the steering or when you brake can be due to a number of issues.
- If this happens when you take your hands off the steering it could be due to wheel alignment issues or worn out tires.
- If your vehicle veers to or pulls to one side when you hit the brake pedal, chances are there is a failure in the brake system.
Meridian Automotive – professional car repair service you can trust!
If you noticed any of the above-mentioned brake trouble symptoms, don’t second guess the problem or ignore it.
We can help you. Remember, brake trouble could be matter of life and death. So give Meridian Automotive a call at (208) 297-5573 or schedule an online appointment today!
