Your car brakes are essential for your safety and the safety of other drivers on the road. That’s why you should never ignore the warning signs that your brakes are failing. You should immediately take your car into a professional mechanic and have them repaired or replaced. Here are the warning signs you should look for.
Your Brake Light is On
This, of course, is the most obvious sign that there’s something wrong with your brakes. If the brake light is on in your car, take it into your mechanic immediately. Of course, it could be an electrical malfunction, but you need that to be determined by a professional. Never take chances with your brakes.
Noises Coming from Your Brakes
A squealing, squeaking or grinding sound when you press on your brake pedal are all indications that you should have your brakes checked. High pitched noises are usually caused by worn brake pads while deeper grinding sounds mean metal hitting metal and are more serious. Take your car into a mechanic right away.
Vibrations
If you feel vibrations when you use your brakes, there could be a problem with your rotors. The rotors hug the brake pads which causes your vehicle to slow when you hit the brakes. Vibrations or a wobbly feeling while driving should be checked out by a mechanic.
Leaking Fluids
If your braking fluid is leaking, this could lead to your brakes not being able to function properly. The brake fluid gives your brakes power to allow the brake pads to clamp to the rotors.
Burning Smell
If you notice a burning or chemical smell when pressing on your brakes, your brakes are most likely overheating. Immediately pull over to the side of the road, put your car in park, put on your emergency brake and allow your brakes to cool.
If you notice any of these warning signs, take your car into your mechanic immediately.