Auto maintenance is crucial to the longevity of your vehicle while also ensuring safe operation. How well your brakes work could be the difference between another beautiful Sunday drive or taking unnecessary risks for you and your loved ones.
It is the responsibility of the driver to be aware of the condition of his or her vehicle before they begin driving. Visual inspections of your pads are only one way to do this. Typically, it’s recommended to change your brakes when they are less than 30% of their full capacity. However, this isn’t a daunting task and there are several indicators to help you determine when it’s time to get your brakes changed, or in the least, taken to an auto repair shop to be examined.
They include the following:
Service light comes on
Squeaking
Soft brakes
Pulling
Grinding
Vibrations
Service Light Comes On:
Many modern vehicles have automatic indicators specifically for informing the driver when the brakes need to be changed.
Squeaking:
Most brakes now have a metal shim, called an indicator, that will cause your brakes to emit a squeaking noise that can be heard above the volume of your engine. This is one of the most common ways to discover your brakes need to be changed.
Soft Brakes:
Do your rakes seem sluggish? Do they sink all the way to the floor before you seem to get a response? These are both signs of “soft brakes” and needs to be addressed immediately. Check your brake level fluids in this scenario as well.
Pulling:
Any time your vehicle pulls to the side is an indication of brake issues and/or alignment problems. Generally, if it occurs when you brake, it’s because one side of your braking system is more worn than the other, or that it may be trying to stick to your rotor.
Grinding:
Grinding can usually be felt through the brake peddle and is often accompanied with squeaking and shuddering. This is a clear indication you need your brakes examined immediately.
Vibrations:
You’re vehicle shouldn’t vibrate when you come to a stop. Any shuddering or jerking motions may be related to worn or damaged brakes and rotors. You should inspect your brakes immediately, or take your vehicle to to your local auto repair shop to be evaluated.
Ultimately:
Ultimately, with only a few minutes of your time, you can determine whether or not you should get your brakes changed. Regardless, if you perform the inspections or you have a professional do it for you, safety should always be your paramount concern. Stay informed, stay prepared, and remain safe on the road.
If you think you might need new brakes, come to Lament’s and we’ll inspect them for free.