Receiving care and service for your brakes should be a part of your car’s routine maintenance. However, if you’ve been noticing issues with your brakes, you may be wondering how severe the issues at hand are. Luckily, your car is great at giving you signs when your brakes need attention. If you’ve noticed any of these six problems with your vehicle’s brakes lately, you should take your car to a mechanic to have your brakes inspected and fixed immediately.
1. Brake Light is On
If you notice that your brake light has turned on, this is one of the most obvious signs that there is a problem with your brakes. Your brake light is located on your dashboard and will typically light up red or yellow when your brakes need an inspection from professionals. Sometimes it can also be a sign that your car’s smart electronics are telling you that there is a problem as well.
2. Reduced Responsiveness of Your Brakes
Sometimes your brakes may not be as responsive as they once were. If you’ve noticed this happening in your car, or if your brake pedal “sinks” into the floor when you press it, there may also be a leak in your car’s braking system. This could mean air or fluid could be leaking. Sometimes you may notice a small puddle of fluid when your car is parked, which is also a major sign that your brake fluid is leaking.
3. Squeaking or Grinding Noises
Pay attention to any noises you hear when braking. If you’re hearing high-pitched squeaking or squealing, this could mean your brake pads are wearing out. If this is the case, have them replaced as soon as possible. But if you hear grinding when you brake, it could mean one of a couple of things are wrong with your brakes, and you should have them inspected right away to avoid more extensive issues.
4. Vibrations When Braking
If you ever feel a vibration coming from your brake pedal, it’s a clear sign that your car has warped rotors. This is caused by often severe braking. It causes a lot of friction when you do this, which in turn warps your car’s rotors. You should not only have your car looked at if you’re feeling vibrations, but you should avoid any severe braking. If it’s unavoidable, stop your car after the braking to let your brakes cool down.
5. Brake Pedal is Softer
Having a soft brake pedal is a sign that you should have your brakes checked out right away. A soft brake pedal may also feel like there is less resistance when you press down on it or it sinks into the floor. This is often a sign that something is wrong with the air or fluid in your braking system. If you’re unsure if your pedal is sinking in when you press on it, check how far it is from the floor of your car. When pressed, your pedal should stop an inch to an inch and a half away from the floor. If you have manual brakes, then it shouldn’t stop more than three inches away from the floor.
6. Car Pulls to One Side When Braking
If you’ve noticed that your car has been pulling to one side every time you brake, be sure to take your car in for maintenance as soon as possible. This is a sign of bad brakes or a problem with the caliper. Sometimes, one brake could be using more pressure than the other while braking, which results in your car pulling to one side. A mechanic can fix this by adjusting your brakes.
The next time you notice one of these signs happening to your brakes, be sure to schedule an appointment with a mechanic as soon as possible. Your brakes are an extremely important part of your car and should always receive regular maintenance, so when you’re noticing any of these signs, don’t wait to get your car checked out. If you ever get stranded because your brakes are causing issues and it’s not safe for you to drive, be sure to call professionals to tow you to a mechanic. At SG3 Towing & Recovery, we can get to you with our fast response times and offer affordable rates for our towing.
