Don't Ignore These 8 Signs of Bad Brakes
you pack your car and take off for a highly anticipated and needed road trip. You get a few hours away when suddenly your brakes start acting up. Now, what do you do?
You'll need to get them fixed, but this is a problem you could have avoided.
If you learn the signs of faulty brakes, you can address the problem before leaving on a trip. Luckily, brakes demonstrate signs when they're going bad. Learning these can help you avoid a catastrophe when taking a road trip.
Here are eight signs of bad brakes.
1. Squeaking
Preventative car maintenance tasks are necessary for all vehicles. You can follow a schedule for tasks or get them as needed. Your car brakes are vital for your vehicle's safety. When brakes begin wearing out, they might squeak or squeal. Worn-out brakes might cause high-pitched sounds you'll hear when driving.
This occurs from the sensors found in the brakes. These sensors make sounds when brake problems occur.
These sounds happen when stopping your car. However, they might be difficult to hear with your windows rolled up. As a result, you might hear them only when your windows are down.
When you hear these sounds, a Killeen auto repair shop can check your brakes. There's a good chance you'll need new brakes if you hear squealing or squeaking. In some cases, brakes make these sounds when wet.
Getting them checked is the only way you'll know.
2. Grinding
Grinding is another sound you might hear when your brakes wear out. Again, you might only hear this sound when your windows are down.
Some people compare this sound to nails on a chalkboard. It's not a pleasant sound.
Grinding occurs when the brake pads wear out. Without pads, metal rubs against metal. The result is grinding.
When you hear grinding, you'll need to look for auto repair in Killeen, TX. Grinding almost always indicates your car needs brake repair services.
3. Brake Light Is Lit
Most cars have brake lights on the dash. You might not know you have one until it lights up. But when it lights up, it can indicate brake failure.
Your vehicle's brake light is there to alert you of unsafe brakes. It turns on only when there is a brake problem but can also indicate other vehicle problems.
For example, it might illuminate when your brake fluid level is low. It might also turn on when your brake pads wear out.
It's also important to know the brake light comes on when you engage your emergency brake.
When you see the brake light on, check your emergency brake. If it's not engaged, it's likely a brake issue that will require hiring a mechanic in Killeen.
4. Car Vibrates When Stopping
Bad brakes can also make a car shake or vibrate. However, other issues can also cause a car to vibrate and shake.
You might notice a vibration when stopping. You'll feel it within your brake pedal. You might also feel the vibration with your steering wheel.
Brakes lead to vibration when the pads wear out. Poorly inflated tires also cause this problem. You might need to look for a tire shop in Killeen, TX if you suspect it's a tire problem.
5. Slow Stopping Response
Getting used to new brake pads takes some time. New pads stop a car faster and with less pressure and force.
Old, worn-out pads become spongy as they age. You press the brake pedal, and nothing happens. So you press it much harder to stop the vehicle.
You shouldn't need to use all your force on the brake pedal to stop the car. If this is how your brakes work, it's a sign you need new ones.
Once you replace the old brakes, you'll see a massive difference in how your car stops.
6. Car Pulls to One Side
Does your car pull to the left or right side when you press the brake pedal? This happens when brakes wear out.
Sometimes, a car pulls to one side because only one brake works. In other cases, one brake might stick, causing the car to pull to that side.
When stopping, you should never experience pulling to one side. Instead, your brakes should stop you evenly. Have a mechanic check your brakes if they're pulling.
7. Burning Smell
Some people discover brake issues from a bad smell. Bad brakes can lead to a burning smell, which occurs for several reasons.
First, a burnt smell appears when your brakes overheat. If your brakes get too hot, you'll smell it. Brakes generally overheat only when they need repairs.
Secondly, brakes can cause a burning smell when there is a fluid leak. Your car's brake system requires brake fluid.
If the fluid leaks onto the hot engine, it can smell burnt. You might also see smoke coming from your engine compartment.
8. Brake Fluid Leaking
Finally, look at your brake fluid. You can check the level periodically in the reservoir. You can also look under your car for fluid leaks.
Detecting a brake fluid leak is challenging, though. Brake fluid is relatively colorless and odorless. But even a small leak can lead to big problems.
Without enough brake fluid, your brakes might not stop your car.
Unfortunately, most people don't check their brake fluid level often. They only know about a problem when they see fluid puddles under their cars.
Look for These Signs of Bad Brakes
Knowing the signs of bad brakes helps you get the services you need. They can also help you avoid breakdowns and other car problems. If you experience these signs, contact us at Phil's Service in Killeen, TX.
We are ASE-certified mechanics and service all domestic and foreign vehicles. We also offer all repair services and preventative maintenance tasks, including oil changes, vehicle inspections, tire services, and engine repair.
Reach out to us when you need services, or fill out this form to request an appointment! You can also communicate with us through our Live Chat button to learn more about our services.
you pack your car and take off for a highly anticipated and needed road trip. You get a few hours away when suddenly your brakes start acting up. Now, what do you do?
You'll need to get them fixed, but this is a problem you could have avoided.
If you learn the signs of faulty brakes, you can address the problem before leaving on a trip. Luckily, brakes demonstrate signs when they're going bad. Learning these can help you avoid a catastrophe when taking a road trip.
Here are eight signs of bad brakes.
1. Squeaking
Preventative car maintenance tasks are necessary for all vehicles. You can follow a schedule for tasks or get them as needed. Your car brakes are vital for your vehicle's safety. When brakes begin wearing out, they might squeak or squeal. Worn-out brakes might cause high-pitched sounds you'll hear when driving.
This occurs from the sensors found in the brakes. These sensors make sounds when brake problems occur.
These sounds happen when stopping your car. However, they might be difficult to hear with your windows rolled up. As a result, you might hear them only when your windows are down.
When you hear these sounds, a Killeen auto repair shop can check your brakes. There's a good chance you'll need new brakes if you hear squealing or squeaking. In some cases, brakes make these sounds when wet.
Getting them checked is the only way you'll know.
2. Grinding
Grinding is another sound you might hear when your brakes wear out. Again, you might only hear this sound when your windows are down.
Some people compare this sound to nails on a chalkboard. It's not a pleasant sound.
Grinding occurs when the brake pads wear out. Without pads, metal rubs against metal. The result is grinding.
When you hear grinding, you'll need to look for auto repair in Killeen, TX. Grinding almost always indicates your car needs brake repair services.
3. Brake Light Is Lit
Most cars have brake lights on the dash. You might not know you have one until it lights up. But when it lights up, it can indicate brake failure.
Your vehicle's brake light is there to alert you of unsafe brakes. It turns on only when there is a brake problem but can also indicate other vehicle problems.
For example, it might illuminate when your brake fluid level is low. It might also turn on when your brake pads wear out.
It's also important to know the brake light comes on when you engage your emergency brake.
When you see the brake light on, check your emergency brake. If it's not engaged, it's likely a brake issue that will require hiring a mechanic in Killeen.
4. Car Vibrates When Stopping
Bad brakes can also make a car shake or vibrate. However, other issues can also cause a car to vibrate and shake.
You might notice a vibration when stopping. You'll feel it within your brake pedal. You might also feel the vibration with your steering wheel.
Brakes lead to vibration when the pads wear out. Poorly inflated tires also cause this problem. You might need to look for a tire shop in Killeen, TX if you suspect it's a tire problem.
5. Slow Stopping Response
Getting used to new brake pads takes some time. New pads stop a car faster and with less pressure and force.
Old, worn-out pads become spongy as they age. You press the brake pedal, and nothing happens. So you press it much harder to stop the vehicle.
You shouldn't need to use all your force on the brake pedal to stop the car. If this is how your brakes work, it's a sign you need new ones.
Once you replace the old brakes, you'll see a massive difference in how your car stops.
6. Car Pulls to One Side
Does your car pull to the left or right side when you press the brake pedal? This happens when brakes wear out.
Sometimes, a car pulls to one side because only one brake works. In other cases, one brake might stick, causing the car to pull to that side.
When stopping, you should never experience pulling to one side. Instead, your brakes should stop you evenly. Have a mechanic check your brakes if they're pulling.
7. Burning Smell
Some people discover brake issues from a bad smell. Bad brakes can lead to a burning smell, which occurs for several reasons.
First, a burnt smell appears when your brakes overheat. If your brakes get too hot, you'll smell it. Brakes generally overheat only when they need repairs.
Secondly, brakes can cause a burning smell when there is a fluid leak. Your car's brake system requires brake fluid.
If the fluid leaks onto the hot engine, it can smell burnt. You might also see smoke coming from your engine compartment.
8. Brake Fluid Leaking
Finally, look at your brake fluid. You can check the level periodically in the reservoir. You can also look under your car for fluid leaks.
Detecting a brake fluid leak is challenging, though. Brake fluid is relatively colorless and odorless. But even a small leak can lead to big problems.
Without enough brake fluid, your brakes might not stop your car.
Unfortunately, most people don't check their brake fluid level often. They only know about a problem when they see fluid puddles under their cars.
Look for These Signs of Bad Brakes
Knowing the signs of bad brakes helps you get the services you need. They can also help you avoid breakdowns and other car problems. If you experience these signs, contact us at Phil's Service in Killeen, TX.
We are ASE-certified mechanics and service all domestic and foreign vehicles. We also offer all repair services and preventative maintenance tasks, including oil changes, vehicle inspections, tire services, and engine repair.
Reach out to us when you need services, or fill out this form to request an appointment! You can also communicate with us through our Live Chat button to learn more about our services.
