Brakes. When it comes to your car’s safety, there’s not much that’s more important than your brakes. Unfortunately, there’s nothing convenient about checking your brakes, so most of us rely on the dashboard light if our car is so equipped or the squeal that signals that the brake pads are worn. The bad news is, neither of these indicators can keep track of all the different components making up your car’s braking system and often when they do indicate that something needs to be checked, it’s past the critical point of staying safe.
This week we decided to outline a few of the signs, sounds, and feelings that can alert you to the need to schedule brake service.
- Brake pedal goes down too far before your car starts to slow, making it seem that your foot is on the floor before braking begins or brings you to a stop.
- Brake pedal feels too firm – almost as though you are at the gym doing leg presses.
- Brake pedal goes to the floor with little or no pressure.
- Brakes still work but seem to be weaker or spongy feeling. This may also be described as taking longer to stop or having less stopping power when brakes are applied suddenly.
- Brakes seem to grab suddenly or pull the car to one side.
- You feel a vibration when you step on the brake pedal.
- Brakes seem to drag, or continue braking, after you have removed your foot from the pedal.
- Brakes squeal or whine.
- Brakes make a clunking sound.
These symptoms can be a sign of something as expected as usual wear on the brake pads, or something more serious as a master cylinder that has gone bad. Either way, taking care of the problem as soon as it is noticed is more cost effective – and generally more convenient – than if you wait until the “maintenance service” has become a “major overhaul” – and just may save your life.
Even if no problems are seen or felt, we recommend a brake inspection at least once a year. Need a good incentive to take care of this now? We’ve got a brake service package coupon on our Facebook page!
