Does Your Car Need a Brake Repair? Six Common Signs

Your car’s brakes are a critical safety feature that prevents you from colliding with other objects. If they don’t perform as they should, you could be endangering everyone in your car, as well as other drivers. Fortunately, you can recognize the signs you need a brake repair and get them fixed before a tragedy occurs.

Does Your Car Need a Brake Repair? Six Common Signs

Squealing, Squeaking, or Grinding

The most common sign that your vehicle needs to get its brakes repaired is that you hear a squealing, squeaking, or grinding noise coming from your wheels when you drive. Brake pads are usually equipped with “wear indicators,” which make a squealing or squeaking noise when your brake pads need to be replaced.

If you ignore those warning sounds, eventually you’ll hear a grinding noise, which means your rotors will need to be replaced too.

Vibrations

If your car shudders or vibrates when you press on the brake pedal, it’s likely that your brake pads are worn too thin and you need to have them replaced. This can happen if the brake pads you currently have on your car don’t have wear indicators.

It’s always a good idea to pay attention to any difference in how your car operates when you’re driving, and have it inspected by a trained technician to determine the root issue.

Spongy Brake Pedal

When your brake pads are worn out, you might find that it takes more effort to stop your vehicle and that when you press on your brake pedal, it feels spongy or it goes down further than it should.

This is a dangerous situation because it means you have to allow yourself more stopping distance than you’re used to. If the brake pedal feels different than it normally does, you’ll want to have your braking system checked out immediately.

Pulling

If you notice that your car pulls hard to one side or the other when you step on your brakes, it’s likely that your brakes are wearing unevenly, causing your car to have to apply more pressure on one side.

This will send your car “pulling” to the side that needs more pressure to stop the wheel. The only way to fix this is to have your brakes replaced so that they can wear at the same rate.

Burning Smell

It’s never a good thing if you smell something burning while you’re driving, and if the smell is coming from your brakes, there’s a good possibility they could stop working altogether.

A burning smell usually means your brakes are hot, and if they heat up too much, they won’t work. This is specifically an issue when you’re driving down a steep hill. Pull over and let them cool down, then get your car to a service center right away.

Brake Light Illuminates

This is the most obvious sign that something is wrong with your brakes and that you need to have them inspected. Not all brake issues trigger this light, but if it comes on, bring your vehicle into a service center as soon as you can.

Don’t let your brakes get too worn. Watch for these signs and bring your car into Crain Kia of Fort Smith to have them repaired.

Posted in Fort Smith Kia Dealer, Fort Smith Kia Service, Fort Smith Used Cars | No Comments »