We don’t want to alarm you. Our goal here at The Shop Tire and Service Center is to always assure our customers that their automobiles are safe and reliable. We work tirelessly to make sure this is so. Still, if you notice any of the following signs below, your brakes need to be inspected right away because there is some brake trouble with this crucial safety system in your automobile.
1. Your Brake Light Turns On
Your vehicle’s dashboard has a series of lights that the engine control module uses to alert you of potential problems. One of these lights is the brake light. This light will turn on when you set the parking brake, and it will stay on until you release the parking brake. If it comes on at any other time, the engine control module is letting you know something is wrong with your brakes.
2. Your Brakes Are Grinding or Squealing
You probably already know this but it bears repeating. If your brakes are grinding or scraping every time you use them, the brake pad surface is worn down completely and you need new brake pads. If they are squealing constantly, this could mean that there is a noise indicator in the pads are telling you that they need to be replaced or that your brakes are overheating.
3. Your Brake Pedal Feels Weird
Even if you’ve only driven your car for a few weeks because it’s brand new, you’ve already adjusted to how your brake pedal feels. Any change to that feeling indicates a problem with the brake system. For example, your pedal should not feel soft or squishy, nor should it sink all the way to the floor or sink and then catch. If this happens, have the brakes inspected immediately.
4. Your Vehicle Pulls or Wobbles
Pulling or wobbling when you apply the brakes could be caused by worn brake pads, warped rotors, or a rock or other debris stuck in the calipers. Braking should not be something that is difficult to do. You should be able to gently press down on your brakes and your vehicle should stop easily without pulling to the side and without you feeling vibration in the brake pedal or steering wheel.
5. You Can Smell Your Brakes
Smelling your brakes is also a sign that the brakes are overheating. We cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to continue to drive your automobile if your brakes are too hot. Overheated brakes glaze the pads and rotors and this causes excessive squealing. As the brake fluid heats up and begins to boil, you will smell what many describe as an odor of burning chemicals.
6. Your Brake Fluid Is Leaking
Finally, your brake fluid is completely encased in the brake system. You should never actually see it unless you unscrew the brake fluid reservoir in your engine. If you see brown spots on your garage floor that are underneath the wheels, you probably have brake fluid leaking out of the brake lines. This is dangerous because your vehicle needs brake fluid to stop.
The Shop Tire and Service Center in Elk River, MN, can help you with your brake trouble. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.