Odds are you drive your vehicle every day. Every morning, you pull out of your garage and drive to your destination all without thinking about the condition of your brakes. Your car gives you reminders when it needs more fuel, the oil changed, or even to check the tire pressure. Unfortunately, it can be easy to overlook the brakes. However, you don’t want to postpone getting your brakes inspected. After all, they are an essential safety component to your vehicle.
For your safety and peace of mind we offer you these warning signs of impending brake failure:
- Noises. One of the most notable characteristics of brakes wearing out is the noise they make. If you hear squeaking or metal-on-metal noises whenever you press your brake, odds are the brake pads are wearing out. Brake pads are designed to make the unpleasant sound when their lifetime is wearing out. If pads are not replaced, the sound will progress to a heavy grinding sound whenever you brake, indicating that the brake rotors are about to give out.
- Irregularities when applying the brakes. When pressure is applied to a brake, it should feel firm and smooth. If you feel vibration or pulsation, your brake rotors have likely become warped due to excessive use. A slow pedal response that requires you to push down harder or pump the brakes is indicative of a leak in the braking hydraulic system. If your car pulls to the side when the brakes are engaged, you may have an issue with the caliper slide pins, resulting in uneven wear of the brake rotors.
- Visual Safety Light. Your final line of defense is your car’s “check brakes” light. If this light turns on, do not ignore it.
Here at Lindsay Tire Automotive & Accessories, we want you to feel safe while driving. We offer full brake replacement and brake repair. If your car has any of the above symptoms, contact us today to schedule an appointment to get your brakes inspected.