Brake Service – Don’t Ignore These Warning Signs
Many modern cars feature several safety features designed to keep you and your passengers safe. These include airbags, rearview cameras and, of course, the brake system.
However, it can be easy to overlook the warning signals that your car’s brakes need attention. Recognizing these signs is essential to maintaining your safety on the road.
The Brake Pedal Feels “Off”
The brake system should feel firm and provide consistent pressure every time you step on the pedal. When it begins to feel spongy, there’s likely something wrong with the master cylinder or calipers.
A common cause of this is a brake fluid leak. When a leak occurs, the pressure in the reservoir drops and causes the pedal to sink to the floor.
The best thing to do when this happens is to (while the vehicle isn’t moving) slam on the brakes hard and fast. If the brakes feel solid when you do this, the problem likely lies with the leaky seal and must be addressed immediately. This is a very dangerous issue and shouldn’t be ignored. A qualified brake services West Palm Beach FL will be able to help diagnose and fix the problem.
The Brake Light Is On
Your car’s brake system is its most important safety feature. Whenever something goes wrong with it, your vehicle’s dashboard will alert you with one or more warning lights.
Typically, these lights will flash to indicate the severity of the issue. Red is the most serious, meaning you should take immediate action.
Suppose you see two red lights (usually an exclamation point inside a circle and “BRAKE” spelled out) on your vehicle’s dashboard. In that case, that is an absolute warning sign of a major fault that can potentially endanger your safety and the safety of those driving around you. It’s essential to safely pull over and stop driving until the issue is addressed. Check your brake fluid levels and top it up if necessary, then consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions.
The Brake Pedal Is Vibrating
Your brakes are a vital safety component that you should pay close attention to while driving. If you notice a shaking or vibrating feeling in the brake pedal, it is a sign of a braking system problem that must be addressed immediately before it worsens.
Spongy or soft brakes create a sinking feel in the pedal when you depress it. A spongy feeling in the brake pedal with minimal resistance can be caused by a loss of hydraulic pressure from a leak in the braking system or contamination of the brake fluid. If the condition is not addressed promptly, it could lead to uneven wear on the rotors, which can also cause shaking or pulsation in the brake pedal and steering wheel.
The Brake Pedal Is Pulling to One Side
The brakes are supposed to create an even amount of stopping power on both sides of the car. If one side feels heavier, it could indicate uneven rotor wear or glazing and must be addressed sooner rather than later.
If you notice your car pulling to one side when you apply the brakes, have a technician inspect the front brakes for their reason. They can use a tool that reads the temperature of each rotor and finds out if one has heat damage that needs to be addressed.
Healthy brakes grab firmly and slow down the vehicle in a smooth, controlled manner. If they start to behave differently, it’s time to schedule an inspection at your local Sun Auto Service center.
The Brake Pedal Is Squealing
Squeaking is a telltale sign that it’s time to get your brakes serviced. Your brake pads may be getting worn and starting to scrape against the rotor — creating that annoying squeal that lets you know it’s time to change your brake pads.
Squeaks can also come from a variety of sources inside your brake system. For example, overnight condensation or dirt particles can settle on your brake rotors and cause surface rust, creating a squeal when you press down on the pedal.
Regardless of the origin of the squeaking, it’s important to address it immediately. Otherwise, a minor problem could turn into a major one that significantly reduces your stopping power and damages other components in your braking system.
