Brake Repair -- Signs to Watch Out For

For most cars, brake repair is needed approximately every 10,000 miles. If you are a studious driver, you should be able to discern certain sounds and symptoms that can indicate a trip to the mechanic will be needed soon. Driving with brakes that have fallen below standard can result in dangerous situations out on the road. You, your passengers, and others on the road depend on you having the stopping power you need to make the roads a safer place. If you fail to keep up with maintenance, you could be endangering yourself and others. Here are some signs you should watch out for:

Squealing

While there may be some degree of squealing when you first get a new set of pads, it should dissipate within a week or so. But squealing can also be a sign that you are due for brake repair. Many pads are equipped with an early warning system that will cause a squealing sound when the pad has reached the stage where it needs replacing. You can ignore this sound for a week or two, but when you start hearing it, it's time to think about taking your car in for an update. Driving too long with the squealing sound can lead to further problems and those may be more expensive to fix.

Pedal Feel

If you are in need of brake repair, one of the first things you may notice is a different feeling from the brake pedal. Driving away from the mechanic with a new set of pads should give you a tight, quick-to-respond feeling from the pedal. This can be awkward and even a little annoying if you aren't used to it at first. But, in truth, this is the way it should be. You should be able to stop on a dime if necessary. Once the pads start to wear out, you'll begin feeling more and more slack from the pedal. A sinking pedal could also be a sign of other system problems that should be examined by a professional.

Grinding

This is a sure sign that you have worn away your pads and they need to be replaced. Driving with a grinding sound is highly inadvisable. Not only are you sacrificing performance, but you could be headed for rotor damage. Once you grind into the rotors to any significant degree, they'll need to be replaced. Replacing rotors is much more expensive than simply replacing the pads, so you'll want to avoid this if at all possible. Take your car in for brake repair at the first sound of grinding.