Your brakes are one of the most important safety features on your automobile. We here at McCurley’s Shell cannot stress this point enough. It’s important to have the brake system inspected every 15,000 to 30,000 miles – whichever your vehicle manufacturer recommends – and serviced whenever it needs it. Here are signs that your brake system is in trouble, which means you could be in trouble, too.
Squealing
Your brakes might squeal a little when they’re wet, but they shouldn’t squeal all the time. If they squeal while you’re driving, your brake pad indicators are alerting you that the pad surfaces are getting too low. If they squeal while you’re stopping, the pads could be glazed because your brakes are overheating. Your brakes shouldn’t squeal every time you stop.
Grinding
If you hear grinding noises when you stop, your brake pads do not have any friction-generating surface left and the metal backings are scraping against the rotors. Rather than having to replace both the pads and the rotors, get the pads changed ASAP to avoid additional damage to the rotors. If you keep driving with no brake pad surface, you’ll warp the rotors.
Burning Smells
Burning smells are a sign of big trouble. If your brakes smell hot and/or if you hear squeaking every time you apply the brakes, they are overheating. You might also see smoke coming from the wheels. Overheating brakes will fail eventually, so pull your vehicle to a safe spot and call for a tow truck. It isn’t worth getting into an accident should your brakes fail.
Stopping Problems
Stopping problems signal brake trouble. As brake pads wear down or if your brake fluid is low, it might take a longer distance to stop your automobile. You may also feel your brake pedal sink to the floor or seem squishy if there’s air in the brake lines or problems with the master cylinder. Pulling to the side indicates caliper or rotor issues.
Brake Light
Finally, you should only see your brake light shining on your dashboard when you have the parking brake set. If it turns on at any other time, something is wrong with the brake system. Your brake pads could be too low or the anti-lock braking system could be malfunctioning. Don’t take chances. Have the brake light alert diagnosed quickly.
Stop by McCurley’s Shell in Atlanta, GA, if you are having problems with your vehicle’s brakes. This important safety feature can mean the difference between life and death.
