A century ago, a famous European luxury automobile manufacturer, on being asked why the brakes on his cars were ineffective, replied that he made his cars to go, not to stop. This is an amusing anecdote and nothing more. A vehicle’s braking system is an integral part of the safety apparatus, and this short checklist will help you to determine when your car needs a brake repair.
1. The Pads Look Worn
You can do a simple visual inspection that will give you clues to the condition of the pads. The pads will be visible through the spokes of the vehicle and pressed up against a metal rotor.
The pads should be more than a quarter-inch thick. Anything less and it’s time to have them replaced.
2. Slow Response When Applying the Brakes
If you have to push down hard on the brake pedal or feel that the brakes are unresponsive or slow, there might be a leak in the braking system. Ask your technician to check for leaks in the brake fluid system.
3. Grabbing Brakes
When your car jerks or shakes at the slightest touch of the brake pedal, it may be because your brake fluid needs to be replaced. Worn rotors could also be the cause. Take your car to an auto technician as soon as possible.
4. Stains Under Your Car
Stains on the ground where you park your vehicle can mean a variety of things. In this context, brake fluid will look similar to clean motor oil but will be less slippery.
If you see a stain on the ground, this probably means there is a leak somewhere in your braking system.
5. The Car Pulls to One Side
Brake linings that are wearing unevenly, could cause your car to pull to one side when you apply the brakes. Another possibility to keep in mind is that foreign matter may have found its way into the fluid system.
In this instance, the brake fluid will have to be drained and replaced.
6. Screeching Sounds
This is usually caused by a piece of metal built into your brake pads. This piece of metal makes this noise to let you know that your brake pads are coming to the end of their serviceable lifespan.
It shouldn’t affect the driveability of the vehicle but don’t ignore it. Make an appointment at your service center as soon as possible.
7. Grinding Noises
These noises will eventually replace the screeching sounds. The contact of metal to metal is likely to have scratched the rotors. Or worse, it caused the metal to melt together and your wheel to seize.
8. Vibrating Brake Pedal
Warped rotors can cause vibration that you will feel through the brake pedal. This is caused by rotors that are worn thin, and that may cause them to warp.
Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and act accordingly to ensure that you are safe on the road. Contact Rick McGill’s Airport Toyota today. Our specialized team will check and replace your brakes in no time at all.
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