Warning Signs Your Car Brakes are Failing

It’s Time to Get New Brake Pads

Most commonly, squealing or squeaking indicates your brake pads are becoming over-worn. This is typically not a big car repair and simply requires a mechanic replacing the brake pads and possibly rotors. However, if you wait too long, that metal-on-metal contact can cause damage to your rotors, ensuring you’ll need new ones when you get to the mechanic. Once you start hearing grinding instead of squeaking, you’re causing more serious damage and your brakes are significantly less effective.

Wobbling or Vibration When Braking

Whenever you encounter wobbling or vibration when braking, either in your brake pedal, the steering wheel, or the whole car, it’s a sign that you may have uneven wear on your rotors. Even very slight differences in the surface of your rotors can cause vibration as the brake pads are pressed against them and it can decrease the effectiveness of your brakes.

You May Need Your Rotors Serviced

Because even the smallest difference on the surface can make a big difference, it’s important you have a mechanic handle this problem. Leveling rotors requires exact precision, otherwise, it can cause more problems and you may end up needing new rotors altogether.

Think About Scheduling a Brake Fluid Flush

Over time, your brake fluid accumulates air and moisture from the environment and use. This is normal but can also cause your brakes to be less effective or even allow rust to build up in the system if too much moisture mixes in with your brake fluid. It’s a good idea to have your brake fluid flushed or bled regularly to keep the ratios correct and get rid of any air pockets that may inhibit your brakes’ function.

A Burning Smell When Braking

Especially in conditions where you may tend to overuse your brakes, such as with hilly and mountainous driving or in traffic, it is possible for your brake pads to overheat. If you start to smell burning when applying your brakes, this is likely what has happened and you risk causing more damage to your brake pads the more you continue to use your brakes.

Pull to the Side of the Road

The best thing to do if you smell burning while using your brakes is to pull to the side of the road. Once there, you can do a visual check on your brake pads and let them cool before driving off again. In most cases, you’ll be fine keeping those brake pads. Once they have cooled, you may notice a difference in how effective they are but that should improve with time. However, if you don’t notice an improvement, it’s time to schedule an auto repair appointment to have them checked by a mechanic.

AAMCO Chester: Keeping You Safe & Getting You Back On The Road

Whether you need regular brake maintenance done or can tell a more serious brake repair is necessary, our mechanics are here to help get you safely back in the road. And if you don’t feel safe driving your car to our location, we even offer free towing to ensure that you’ll get here safely.