3 Telltale Signs It's Time for New Brakes

A car's brakes are one of its most vital safety components, yet many vehicle owners overlook brake maintenance. Generally, brakes should be replaced around every 50,000 miles, but this can vary greatly depending on the make and model of the car in addition to the type of miles primarily put on it (city or highway). Either way, there are a few common telltale signs a car needs new brakes that vehicle owners should know.

Squeaking and Squealing

One of the earliest signs that it's time for new brakes will come when strange, audible noises can be heard when pressing the brake pedal. This may be a persistent squeaking, squealing, or even grinding noise.

Sometimes, brakes will squeak when first used after a heavy rain, but the sound will soon go away. This is perfectly normal. But if the squeaking continues, this might mean that the brake pads are worn and need to be replaced. Failure to address this right away could result in caliper and rotor damage, which is more expensive to repair.

Pulling to One Side

Another common sign drivers may notice when their brakes are nearing the end of their lives is that of the vehicle pulling to one side when braking. Often times, this indicates a brake caliper that's stuck or has gone completely bad. As a result, when the brake pedal is depressed, friction to the brakes is applied unevenly, causing the car to pull either to the left or the right.

Of course, a car pulling to one side while braking isn't always a sign of bad brakes; it can also mean poor alignment, so it's important to have the car checked out before paying to have new brakes Longmont repair shop.

Vibration in the Steering Wheel

Finally, when depressing the brake pedal, a car with sound brakes should come to a smooth stop. If the brake pads or rotors are worn, then there may instead be a strong vibration in the steering wheel when coming to a stop. This is a problem that should be addressed right away, as it often indicates that the brakes are long beyond the wear and tear they were originally designed for.

These are just a few common signs that it may be time for new brakes. All car owners should keep these in mind to stay safe behind the wheel.

Signs That it's Definitely Time for a Brake Job

Mechanics recommend that car owners get regular inspections of their brakes Longmont service centers, but often, this advice gets ignored. After all, most people don't want to stop in just to have something looked at since it takes time and it's boring to wait for the inspection to be completed. Alas, by the time it becomes obvious that the brakes need service, they have usually incurred expensive damage to the rotors and other parts. Having them inspected allows worn brakes to be fixed when the job still only requires the replacement of the pads. 

For those who have waited too long, a number of symptoms may appear that let them know that the time has come. One of the most recognizable is the grind of metal brake pad backings against the metal rotors they press into when the brake is activated. This noise is quite obvious if the car radio is off, and since it only happens when the pads have worn away completely, it's a sure sign that a trip to the mechanic is in order. 

Sometimes, the car will pull to one side as it is brought to a halt. This often means that one pad has worn out faster than the other, causing the brake system to have uneven stopping power. When the pads wear unevenly, it can mean that one of the calipers is stuck in the active position. 

The stuck side is effectively braking at all times. This wears out the pad on that side very quickly. It also increases the car's fuel usage since the vehicle has to strain against an active brake in order to move. 

An odd howling sometimes accompanies a stuck caliper. This noise may or may not seem to come from the wheel that is actually the problem, but it will likely come from the proper side of the car. Harmonic resonance caused by the contact between the pad and the rotor is sometimes blamed for this sound, but the noise is secondary to the excessive pad wear that is caused by the caliper sticking. 

If the signs of brake damage continue to be ignored, the brakes will eventually fail. There's no real way to predict how long this will take, but it will happen if the problems go on long enough. Therefore, the safest thing to do is have the brakes fixed as soon as it's obvious that they are no longer working right.

When to Get Brakes Inspected and Serviced

When a car is moving at about 60 MPH along the highway, it is easy for the driver to forget that he may need the length of a football field to bring his vehicle to a full stop. That is, it might take the length of a football field to stop a car if the brakes are in good working order. Otherwise, all bets are off. Consider some signs that it might be time to take a car in to get the brakes checked. The Brake Light on the Dashboard Lights Up First, drivers should take the time to study their owner's manual to be sure that they know what the different lights on the dashboard mean. If a fault turns on the brake light on the dashboard, this is one of those alarm that tell drivers to head right for a place that services and inspects brakes longmont.

    

In some cases, lights may turn on because of a problem with the sensors, not a problem with the brakes, but that's a risky gamble to take. Pay Attention to Squeaks and Grinding Noises Most brakes are designed to emit a squeak when the brake pads have worn too thin. This sound should be distinct enough to hear with the windows rolled up, but it might not be loud enough to be heard over a loud radio. Once in awhile, it's a good idea for drivers to roll the window down and listen to the sounds that their car makes when it starts and stops. This distinctive squeaking sound means that the vehicle owner should head for a service station soon.

   

Not paying attention to the squeaky sound can lead to a grinding noise, and this is really bad. It means that the brake pads are totally worn and there is a large risk of further damage to the entire brake system. Any grinding sound from the brakes should get treated as a brake service emergency. In fact, it is probably a good idea to have the car towed. Maintained Brakes Save Money and Lives. Many auto service stations offer free or very inexpensive brake inspections. If there is a modest charge, the shop may waive if if the customer ends up getting brake service performed at that shop. In any case, getting brakes serviced at the very first sign of trouble keeps small problems from turning into large and dangerous ones.