No matter what you try, there will come a point when the brakes on your car start to fade. Now, because the brakes help you avoid accidents and hazards, it is a big deal when they fail. In fact, it could end up causing some serious damage.
Taking care of a car’s brakes is something you should treat with respect. However, even the best brake in the industry can fail from time to time. That is one of the hazards of dealing with industrial equipment. For the most part, you can see it coming as long as you spot the signs before the situation spirals out of control.
Look
Get out of the car and have a look for any wear and tear. You don’t have to be a mechanic to spot that they are worn and need replacing. If they look like they are about to fall off, you need to see someone about an imminent brake repair. If you cannot tell either way, it is always a good idea to be better safe than sorry. Ask a mechanic to cast their professional eye and take a quick look.
Listen
Noises are also a good warning sign. Can you hear a high-pitched screech when you apply pressure to the brakes? Yes, you can? The odds are that there is something rubbing on the brake pads, and it is interfering. The majority of times it is a metal shim that is acting as a very loud and audible sign that your brakes need repairing.
Fading Or Not Responding
Fading brakes is never a good sign. You hardly ever hear of someone whose brakes were fading one day and then they were fine the next. Again, it is a sign of wear and tear. The constant use of your car’s brakes means that they are worn out and cannot perform to the same standard of old. Even with the brake pads are fine, there could be something wrong with the connecting lines. Regardless of what you think is the problem, make sure you get an inspection booked as soon as possible.
Pulling To One Side
Pulling can be a little deceiving because cars also pull when there is a puncture in a tyre wall. More dangerously, it can be a sign that there is a problem with the brake lines as they could be wearing thin. Or, there might be a foreign substance mixing with the brake fluid. In this case, your brakes don’t need replacing as they might just need the connection realigning or the brake fluid draining and reapplying.
Vibration
If the brake pedal continuously vibrates, there is something wrong with the rotors. Warped rotors are a common problem with brakes because it happens when there is too much tension and heat. For example, prolonged periods of braking will cause warped rotors. All you can do is let them cool off so that they can work properly.
Maintaining your car’s brake can be hard work, but it is essential so make you take notice of nay tips and advice.
This is some great information, and I appreciate your point that screeching while braking could indicate that the pads should be replaced. I tend to listen to music while I drive, so I don’t pay as much attention to the sounds my car is making as I probably should. I’ll definitely be sure to turn off the music every once in a while to check for any unusual noises. Thanks for the great post!
Thanks Lilian! You should check your car if you heard any unusual noise, is better be safe than sorry.
It is so important to know when to change your brake fluid! I have never been taught that before! It’s a good thing my husband knows more about cars than I do! Although, I did run into some trouble with my car while my husband was out of town a few weeks ago, so I think it’s time for me to learn a little bit more about them!