The thought of taking your car to the garage may fill you with dread, but it's important to know the common warning signs that indicate your car needs to be checked over, both for your own safety and for the safety of other road users. Ensuring your brakes are in good working order is essential for safe driving, but do you know the warning signs to look out for? Drivers often think of increased stopping distances when they think of brake issues, but there are other signs that tell you there's a problem with your car's brakes. Read on to learn about three signs that indicate your car's brakes are faulty.
Strange Noises
Worn brake pads can cause screeching or grinding noises when you engage your brakes. The noise comes from friction that develops when the pads aren't thick enough to provide a cushion around the brake rotors. It's normal for brake pads to wear down over time, but if they need to be replaced and you put off booking your car into the garage, the brake callipers behind the pads can get damaged and loss of traction will occur.
Pulling To One Side
If you feel your car pulling to one side when you engage your brakes, you could be dealing with a jammed brake calliper. Brake callipers can jam due to excessive wear or due to insufficient brake fluid. Brake fluid keeps the callipers lubricated, so if you have a damaged brake hose that's leaking brake fluid and you're not aware of it, the brake callipers will eventually jam, and this affects handling when you engage the brakes.
Pedal Problems
When you drive your car regularly, you get a feel for what's normal when braking, so if you notice changes to how your brake pedal feels, there's likely a problem with your brakes. If you have a brake fluid leak, your pedal will need to be pressed all the way down to the floor to get your car to come to a stop. If you have a blocked brake line, your pedal will feel firm when you engage your brakes and you'll find you can bring your car to a stop with only light pressure on the brake pedal.
If you have any concerns about your brakes, book your car into the garage for a brake check. Some garages offer them free of charge, and some of the common problems with car brakes are relatively inexpensive to fix. So, don't be tempted to ignore your concerns and risk further damage to your car.
Contact an auto repair mechanic for more information.
Share19 June 2023
Hello, my name is Brian and if there is one thing I like to do, it is to go driving in my car. There is no better way to relax and unwind than heading out on the open road. I am not an auto mechanic or a car dealer, but over the years I have spent many years working with people such people and they have been kind enough to teach me a thing or two about buying and maintain automobiles. I have decided to start this blog so I can share everything I have learnt with the rest of the world.