You do not need to be a car enthusiast to understand how to keep your car in ideal working condition all the time. Sometimes, taking care of some of its basic maintenance and repair needs is all you need to do. Unfortunately, not many people know how to catch car problems until they become too obvious or result in a complete breakdown when they least expect it.
We will highly recommend paying attention to your car’s needs. If there is one part you should always keep in top working condition, regardless of how much you know about vehicles, it is your brakes.
A properly functioning brake can be the difference between a near miss and a bad accident. Pay attention to your car’s brakes to make sure that both you and other motorists on the road are safe. This post will guide you.
Table of Contents
10 Signs Your Car Needs New Brakes ASAP
Here are the ten signs your car needs new brakes ASAP.
1. High-pitched screeching
Have you ever heard your car making a high-pitched screeching sound when you put your foot down on the brake pedal? The sound can scare the best of us, but it is nothing to worry about immediately. It does not mean that your brakes are about to give out, but we do count it as a sign that your car needs new brakes ASAP.
The screech is coming from a piece of metal inside the brake pads that is there to indicate when your brake pads are getting low and need replacement. You should take your car to a mechanic when you start hearing this sound.
2. High-pitched screeching despite new brake pads
Suppose you have replaced the brakes, but you still hear the high-pitched screeching noise when you apply the brakes. In that case, there is a chance that your car’s rotors are glazed. This happens when you brake excessively at high speeds because it burns the metal.
If you see blue marks on the rotors, you might need to replace them. Ideally, we recommend making it easier on the brakes because braking regularly at high speeds can severely damage the rotors.
3. Obvious wear and tear
Another sign that your car needs new brakes ASAP is visible damage to the brake pads. Conducting a visual inspection of your brake pads can help you determine the condition of your brakes.
You can see the brake pads between the wheel’s spokes. They are pressed up against the metal rotor. If the pads seem less than a quarter-inch thick, you should get them looked at and replaced if necessary.
4. Vibrating brake pedal
Another obvious sign you need to replace your brakes is a vibrating sensation you can feel through the brake pedal when you push down on it. This happens because the metal rotors have become warped, are too old or too thin.
5. Slow brake response
Suppose you need to stop quickly, but the brakes do not stop fast enough when you push down on the pedal. It is a sign that there is a leak in your braking system. A mechanic can determine whether it is due to leaking brake fluid or an air leak in the brake hose.
6. Highly sensitive brakes
If your car is too sensitive and immediately jerks when you just touch the brake pedal, it is a sign you need to change the brake fluid, or the rotors are wearing down unevenly. You should call in a professional to examine the brakes.
7. Completely insensitive brakes
Are you finding yourself pushing down the brake pedal to the floor to get your brakes to engage? This is a sign that you could be very low on brake fluid, the brakes are too thin, or there is air in the brake fluid. It can also be a sign that there is a problem in your car’s hydraulics. A professional can find out what the real problem is, and you should have your car checked immediately.
8. Veering to one side while braking
Does your car seem to pull to one side or the other while you are braking? This could be another sign that your car’s brake linings are wearing unevenly. It could also be indicating that something is contaminating the brake fluid and you need the fluid replaced.
9. Puddle in the driveway
One of the tell-tale signs that the brake fluid is leaking is a puddle in your driveway. You should check under your car from time to time. If you ever find a small puddle of fluid after you have parked the car for a while, and it looks like fresh motor oil but not as greasy, there is a chance it is brake fluid.
10. Grinding sounds
Some people are incredibly complacent about their car maintenance. If you happened to miss the high-pitched screeching noise you heard while applying the brakes, you might soon hear another sound: A heavy metallic growling. When you start hearing this sound, we suggest that you start panicking because replacing the brake pads will not do the trick.
This is the sound of the metal plate itself rubbing against the rotor. In a short amount of time, this can start causing the rotors to become damaged. If you apply brakes at high speeds, you can even risk heating up the metal to the point where it melts and sticks to the brakes.
Do Your Brakes Need Replacement?
If you have been seeing, hearing, or feeling any of the signs above, you should realize that your car needs new brakes immediately. You should not delay getting a professional opinion on this and take your vehicle for car maintenance and repair in Columbus, OH.
Even minor problems like worn brake pads can get very expensive if ignored. And, of course, a properly working brake system is critical for your safety and others on the road.
At ATL Columbus, we’ve been taking care of cars for several years. We specialize in brakes, alignments, complete engine repair, smog inspections, oil changes, and much more, so contact us and drop by with your vehicle any time.
