A collision while driving is a huge safety risk. Not only can it cause you quite a bit of harm, it can also result in expensive damage to your vehicle. If you are unable to regulate your speed using your brakes, you are at an extremely high risk of being in an accident.
If you know some of the most common signs of brake issues, you can send your car in for brake repair as soon as it needs it - and before they contribute to a crash.
4 Signs It's Time for Brake Repair
Noticing just one of the following warning signs means you should head to a mechanic. If you're experiencing more than one, you're well overdue for brake repairs.
Grinding Sounds
One of the clearest signs that you'll notice when your brakes are worn down is a grinding sound when you press the pedal. This is because most brake pads have a thin metallic strip in them. It's designed to make that sound once your brake pads are almost at the end of their useful lifespan, so that you know to replace them.
Squishy Brake Pedal
Another common sign that your brakes need attention is if the brake pedal feels soft and squishy. This indicates that there is air or dirt in your brake lines, either because the brake fluid itself is very old, or because a leak has developed. In either case, you'll need to have the lines flushed to ensure that your vehicle is able to stop suddenly.
Vibrations
Vibrations can be caused by a whole host of different mechanical problems in your car. However, your brake pads are one of the most common culprits, especially if the vibrations happen while you are pressing the brake pedal down.
In this case, vibrations are caused by a brake pedal that has worn down unevenly, or has become damaged for some reason. When this happens, the brake pedal is unable to come into complete contact with the brake rotor, leading to shaking. This will also affect how well your vehicle is able to slow down.
Pulling
The final warning sign that you should watch out for is when your vehicle veers to one side of the road when you press down on the brakes. This usually points to one brake pad being warped or damaged. This can also happen if you've replaced one brake pad but not the other in the past since they will reach the end of their effective lifespan at different times.
Don't Hesitate to Repair Your Brakes
You should never treat brake issues as trivial. They can literally be the difference between life and death, as complete brake failure can leave you unable to control your car while in the middle of the road.
If you've experienced any of the above signs, be sure to get in touch with us about brake repairs for your car. Our team will be able to identify what's wrong with your brakes and get your car back on the road in no time.