Your brakes are one of the most vital safety features on your car. Just stop (pun intended) and think about it. You instinctively hit that pedal, mile after mile, and you know your vehicle will come to a halt. But what if one day those brakes failed. Now that is something you don’t want to think about.
Fortunately your car has several ways of letting you know that your brakes may need attention. By learning to spot the signs that you may have brake system issues, you can have problems taken care of before they put the safety of you and your passengers at risk.
Sign #1: Strange Noises
A high, screeching sound when you apply your brakes could mean that your brake pads need to be replaced.
Sign #2: Vehicle Pulls to One Side
If your car pulls to one side when you are braking, it might be because the brake lining is wearing unevenly or that the brake fluid is contaminated.
Sign #3: Strange Brake Pedal Feel
A brake pedal that feels spongy or sinks to the floor could be due to a leak in the braking system. A leak affecting the brake system could be an air leak in the brake hose, or a brake fluid leak. If the brake pedal is hard or very difficult to press, your vehicle might have a blockage in the brake line or have an issue in the vacuum system.
Sign #4: Vibration When Braking
A vibration in your brake pedal during breaking or pulsating brake pedal can be a symptom of warped rotors.
Sign #5: Grabbing When Braking
If you experience a grabbing or jerking feeling when you apply the brakes, it could be an indication that the rotor is unevenly worn or that the brake fluid is contaminated and needs to be changed.
Sign #6: Brake Warning Light
This may seem like an obvious one, but people may be inclined to ignore dashboard service lights if there are no other signs of trouble. It is not a good idea to ignore those warning lights, especially when your brakes are involved.
If you have any suspicion that you may have brake trouble, take your vehicle in for an inspection by a qualified auto technician as soon as possible.
