You Need to Know When to Change Your Brakes
We understand that not everyone is a car enthusiast who maintains their vehicle in immaculate condition at all times. The majority of people aren’t mechanically inclined enough to detect car problems before they cause a breakdown. However, regardless of how handy you are under the hood, the brakes are one part of your car that should always be in good working order.
Bad Brakes and What to Look For
There are certain things to look for when troubleshooting your brakes:
- High-pitched Screeching. Don’t panic if you hear a high-pitched screeching noise when you apply your brakes. It doesn’t mean your brakes are about to fail. The screech is caused by a small piece of metal embedded in your brake pads that is meant to alert you when the pads are low and need to be replaced soon. So, if you hear your brakes squealing, get in touch with an auto mechanic.
- Wear and Tear. A visual inspection is another way to check the condition of your brake pads. They can be seen between the spokes of the wheel, pressed up against a metal rotor. It’s time to have the pads inspected or replaced if they’re less than a quarter-inch thick.
- Vibrating Brake Pedal. Vibration or pulsating through the brake pedal is caused by warped rotors. Warping is caused by a variety of factors, including irresponsible braking. The rotors will need to be replaced if they become too old and thin. This means they are more susceptible to warping.
- Slow brake response. If you’re in a situation where you need to stop quickly but your brakes aren’t as responsive as they should be, it could be a sign of a braking system leak. Your auto mechanic will most likely discover an air leak in the brake hose or a brake fluid leak.
- Overly Sensitive Brakes. If your brakes make your vehicle come to a jarring stop with the slightest touch, it’s possible that you need a brake fluid change or that your rotors are unevenly worn. In either case, it’s a sign that you need to get to an auto mechanic as soon as possible.
- Car Pulls to One Side. If your car feels like it’s being pulled to one side while braking, it’s likely that the brake linings are unevenly worn and need to be adjusted. It could also be a sign that the brake fluid contains some sort of debris or contamination. If that’s the case, you’ll need to have it drained and replaced.
- Grinding Noises. If you ignore your screeching brakes for too long, you’ll soon hear an even worse sound: heavy metallic grinding or growling. This indicates that the pads have completely worn down. Replacement is unlikely at this point because the grinding sound is caused by the metal plate rubbing against the rotor. This can scratch the rotors or even melt the metal together, causing your brakes to stick. This is a serious safety hazard that must be addressed right away.
Brake Repair San Diego
You always need a reliable mechanic. Automobile Repair Shop San Diego has been providing high-quality auto repair in San Diego for many years. To learn more about how we can assist you with your auto maintenance, call (619) 330-0862 right now.