Some Ways To Know If Your Vehicle Needs Brake Service
Everyone should understand the basics of automotive braking systems and if your brakes need service. Understanding this can be crucial for you and your families safety. This article will hopefully help to walk you through some indicators that it is time for some brake service or repairs.
Some of the most basic indicators would be squealing, squeaking or grinding and pulling.
At the first sign of your brakes making abnormal and unusual noises, or If you hear some squealing when you use the brakes, its a good indicator that the brake pads are worn out. The squealing noise is from, ironically enough, "the squealers", as we call them, or the wear indicators on the brake pads. Another indicator is a grinding noise. This usually indicates that the pads have been worn beyond use and will need replacement right away along with the brake rotors. The calipers, which hold the brake pads may also need replacement if they come into contact with the rotors. Make no mistake, this is a serious issue that should be addressed right away for your safety and to prevent any further damage to the vehicle.
If you start to feel a difference when braking, such as a pulsation or the vehicle is pulling to one side or the other, the brake pedal is spongey or hard can all indicate system problems.
You may notice a “spongy” brake pedal or may need to push down harder on the pedal to get the vehicle to stop. This could mean theres an issue with the brake fluid contamination, fluid level or even air in the brake lines. If the brake pedal is feeling hard its usually a failing/leaking brake booster or master cylinder. A noticeable pulsation when braking is a pretty good indication that the front rotors are warped, a pulsating brake pedal would indicate that the rear rotors or drums are warped. If the vehicle pulls to one side when braking it could mean a sticking caliper or even a collapsed brake hydraulic line.
When you come to One Stop Automotive we perform free courtesy checks, including brakes, before we perform most services. This may help save you money by detecting a potential problem before it occurs.
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If you are alerted to a problem by an ABS/braking system warning light on the dasboard then the brake system problems can be quite serious. If that warning light is flashing, it is not recommended to drive the vehicle, but rather to have it towed to our shop for immediate attention by one of our professionals.
Your vehicles braking system is of paramount importance and One Stop Automotive is here to help you with needed brake repairs or preventative maintenance, while hopefully making it as painless as possible to you and your wallet. Please do not just blow off these indicators of wear or damage to the braking system. We are here to help.
Vehicle maintenance is very important to extending the life of your braking system, and we want to help ensure the safety of you, your friends and family as well as your vehicle.
