Your brakes are your vehicle’s most critical safety feature, and ignoring warning signs can lead to costly repairs or an accident.
Brake safety is not to be compromised. Stay on top of getting your brakes checked regularly and pay attention to the warning signs that tell you it might be time to get them replaced.
Did you know?
Brakes are made up of three essential parts: brake pads, rotors, and calipers.
When you press on the brake, the calipers press the pads against the rotors, creating friction and performing braking operation. Due to this process, the brake pads and rotors wear and eventually need replacement.
Here are eight red flags that indicate your brakes demand immediate attention:
1. Squealing or Squeaking Noises
High-pitched sounds when braking often indicate worn brake pads. Many pads have metal wear indicators that screech when they’re thinning, signaling it’s time for a replacement.
2. Grinding Sounds
A harsh grinding noise means the brake pads are worn down completely, causing metal-to-metal contact between the calipers and rotors. This can damage rotors and result in brake loss, so it requires urgent repair.
3. Vibration or Pulsation
If the steering wheel or brake pedal shakes when stopping, warped rotors, often from overheating, might be the culprit. Warped rotors reduce braking efficiency and require immediate repair.
4. Soft or Spongy Brake Pedal
A brake pedal that sinks to the floor or feels mushy suggests air in the brake lines, a fluid leak, or failing master cylinders.
5. Brake Warning Light
A lit dashboard warning light: “ABS” or a red brake symbol/the word “brake”, indicates a problem with the braking system, such as low fluid, worn pads, or sensor malfunctions.
Note: These warning lights are also tied into the parking brake. They are dual purpose lights that illuminate when the parking brake is on and/or when there’s an issue with the braking system.
6. Pulling to One Side
If your car veers left or right when braking, uneven brake pad wear, a stuck caliper, or a collapsed brake hose could be to blame.
7. Longer Stopping Distances
Reduced responsiveness or a “lag” when braking often stems from worn pads, contaminated brake fluid, or glazed rotors.
8. Burning Smell
A sharp, hot burning odor after heavy braking could mean overheated pads or rotors. Pull over immediately to avoid brake fade or fire.
Don’t Wait!
Delaying repairs risks damaging expensive components or total brake failure.
Pro tip:Always get your rotors and pads replaced at the same time since they wear together. Replacing only pads will lead to noises, vibrations, low quality performance and unsafe braking.