5 Signs You Need New Brakes
Your brakes are one of the most vital safety features on your vehicle. They help you avoid accidents, and defective brakes can cause accidents. Therefore, it is essential to know when they are damaged or need replacing.
It’s imperative that you maintain your vehicle’s brakes.
Your brake system is one of the essential safety systems in your car.
Your brakes have distinct ways of alerting you when it’s time for repair. If you’re unsure or just want your brakes checked, it may be time to bring your car to Canadian Super Shop, where our technicians and staff are always ready to assist you.
Sometimes it is obvious, but other times it may be hard to tell when something is wrong. The last thing you need is to wait until after the accident to discover that your brakes required work.
How to tell when you require new brakes?
The following is five warning signs. If you notice any of these, you should take your vehicle to reputable an auto repair shop and have your brakes checked.
1. Low Responsiveness or Fading
If your brakes’ level of responsiveness has significantly reduced or the pedal “sinks” or feels spongy, this could be a leakage in your vehicle’s brake system. It could be a fluid leak or air.
One clear sign of a leak is the existence of a tiny puddle when the vehicle is parked. Brake fluid looks very similar to the fresh motor oil but has a less “slimy” texture.
2. Vibration
A pulsating or vibrating pedal is usually a sign of warped rotors. The vibration or pulsation feels similar to the anti-lock brakes working; this is a symptom of warped rotors. What would cause this? Extreme braking for longer periods of time, such as towing a trailer or driving down steep mountains.
3. Pulling
If your car “pulls” to one side of the road when braking, it may be an indication that there’s foreign matter in your brake fluid or that the brake linings are wearing out unevenly. Your car may require a brake adjustment or to have the entire fluid drained and replaced.
4. Grinding or Growling
This loud metallic sound indicates that your brake pads are worn. The two pieces of metal (the caliper and the disc) rubbing each other cause the growling or grinding noise.
Therefore, this can “score,” or even scratch your rotors, developing an uneven surface. If this occurs, don’t be surprised if your technician or mechanic informs you that the rotors of your car need to be “turned” (a process which evens out the surface of the rotor), or even replaced altogether.
5. Appearance
Luckily, it is quite easy to check your brakes in several cars through the spokes of your wheels. Look carefully, and you will notice a circular brake rotor with an external pad.
Take a careful look at your brake pads on a regular basis. It isn’t difficult to know when they are beginning to wear – if their thickness is less than 0.25 inches, it’s high time to replace them. It’s the best way to know if your brakes need replacement.
In Conclusion
Maintaining the brakes of your vehicles is something that many of us often overlooked. But ensuring that your brakes are in good working condition and calibrated properly can prevent expensive repairs down the line, and, most importantly, assist you in preventing accidents.
If you come across any of these signs, it is prudent to get your brakes checked as quickly as possible. Do not risk your safety by ignoring or postponing! Make an appointment with our highly qualified and experienced technicians at Canadian Super Shop by calling (204) 885 5901