Brake Repair Warning Signs - Don't Overlook Them

Brake repair is a requirement for all vehicle owners. The brakes of the vehicle must be maintained in order to keep them working properly and therefore stopping the vehicle on time. However, it is not always easy to know when to get replacement or maintenance on them. In order to know when it is necessary, you can learn to spot the most common warning signs. When these occur, you will know you need to get the vehicle serviced as soon as possible.

Listen to Them

One of the ways to know you need brake repair is to listen to the way the brakes function. Often, as they begin to wear down, a grinding sound will occur. That grinding may sound like metallic noise - metal rubbing up against itself. It is also possible that you will learn a shrill squeal occurring. In these instances, the system needs attention.

How Does It Feel?

Next, consider the way the brakes feel when you are stepping on them. They should feel soft and easy to push down. As they wear down, though, the brakes can feel like they are grinding. They can also cause a jerky stop. In some cases, they can feel very mushy while in others they can become very hard to push to the floor. All of these factors play a role in how well the system is working and should not be ignored.

The Fluid

The fluid from the brakes is a necessary component to keeping them functional. However, the fluid can leak for various reasons. You may notice this on your driveway. In addition, the brake fluid levels may be very low. If you notice that the color of the fluid is dirty looking, this is also a factor to consider. In some cases, a lack of fluid can even cause a smoking to occur. In any of these situations, it is critical to bring the vehicle in for an inspection, maintenance update and to potentially change or add fluid to the system.

Additional Clues

Watch out for the ABS warning lights to come on to indicate a problem. Touch the tires after a short drive. Are the wheels very hot? This is an indication of a problem with the braking system. You may notice that the car pulls to one side or the other. In some cases, you may have to pump the brakes to get them to work properly.

All of these factors indicate a potential problem with your system that you need to address to keep the vehicle working properly. It is not always necessary to replace them, but maintaining the system is critical for everyone's safety. Do not overlook these warning signs.