Maintaining the brakes is an important safety feature and key to keeping your car in top condition. But the brakes are often one of the most overlooked maintenance tasks by car owners.
Taking regular care of the brakes can help to prevent costly repairs and deadly collisions. By performing regular maintenance on your brakes, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that your car will be able to stop on time, every time.
Luckily, there are a few indicators that can warn you of potential issues with your brakes. It may be time to take your car into your local automotive repair shop if you notice any of the following warning signs:
Grinding or squealing noise
Squealing brakes are not only annoying, but can also be a warning sign of a larger issue. A grinding or squealing noise while stopping may be an indicator that there is a problem with your brakes. This unpleasant noise usually occurs because the brake pads are worn down from miles of usage. While it’s inevitable that there will be some wear, not performing regular maintenance leads to the metal grinding directly on the metal, which can make it difficult to stop your car quickly.
Unresponsive brakes
Are you having to repeatedly pump your brake to get your car to come to a complete stop? This may be a sign that it’s time to replace your brake pads. Brake pads may be unresponsive because they are worn out from years of use without the proper maintenance.
Unresponsive brakes could also be a sign of a more serious issue, such as air in the brake lines or a brake fluid leak. It’s best to play it safe and have a professional auto repair specialist take a look.
Brake pedal vibrating
It’s common to notice some type of vibrations in your car. While it may be nothing, it could be a sign of a potential problem with your brakes if it’s repeatedly happening while stopping. Usually, the brake pad is able to grab onto the rotors to generate friction so the vehicle slows down when coming to a stop. But if the rotor is warped, the brake pad isn’t able to latch onto a smooth surface, which means your brake power has been compromised.
Pulling
Does your car feel like it has a mind of its own? Do you notice it veering to the right or left while braking? If so, your braking system may be to blame. A well maintained vehicle should still drive in a straight line even after you hit the brakes. But a significant amount of turning while braking could indicate uneven wear on your brake pads.
Pulling doesn’t always indicate a problem with the brakes. In fact, something else entirely could be wrong with your car—like unevenly inflated tires or poor alignment. That’s why it’s always best to consult the professionals when you suspect something’s not right. Contact Basalt Quick Lube, Tire & Alignment today to schedule a brake repair in Basalt, CO!