Your brakes are one of the most important systems within your vehicle, since they are the primary component that allows you to moderate your speed. As a result, any sort of damage, age, or wear to your brakes can significantly reduce the amount of control that you have over your vehicle's speed, making an accident or collision much more likely. Luckily, brakes that have begun to wear away will exhibit a number of early warning signs that you can pick up on to determine when you should head to a mechanic to have them replaced.
Softness
An easy-to-notice sign that your brakes may be overdue for a checkup is if you notice that the brake pedal feels extremely spongy when you press it down. This means that you will require more effort to bring your vehicle to a stop, and it can greatly increase the amount of distance that you need to stop as a result—a serious safety hazard. This softness is caused by air within the brake lines, which form as bubbles in the brake fluid and limits the amount of pressure that the brake pedal can exert. You'll likely need to have the lines replaced to fix the leak.
Shaking
Another common sign of brakes that are in need of servicing is if you notice that your vehicle shakes or vibrates when you depress the brake pedal. This can be caused by excessive wear to the brake pads, leading the metal of the underlying caliper to rub against the metal of the rotor, shaking the vehicle, though it can sometimes be caused by issues with your suspension system or tire alignment as well. A mechanic will be able to diagnose the problem and give you the best course of action moving forward.
Pulling
Finally, one of the clearest signs that you need to have your brake pads replaced or the brake fluid flushed is if you notice that your vehicle pulls to one side when you press the brakes down. This can be because one brake pad has worn away at a faster rate than another or because one brake line has gotten dirt and other contaminants within it, reducing the amount of pressure that one side of your car's brakes can exert and causing your vehicle to swerve or change direction as a result. This is perhaps the most dangerous warning sign of worn-out brakes, since it can cause your vehicle to move unpredictably.
For additional information, contact a company like G P Automotive.
Share1 March 2018
Hello. My name’s Samuel Jacobs. I retired from my job as an auto mechanic last year. During my years as a mechanic, I had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. Some have remained friends to this day. When I was working, there is one thing that I came across at least weekly. That is how uneducated people are when it comes to their vehicle’s tires. Properly cared for tires are crucial to the safety of your vehicle. Without them, your car isn’t going anywhere. If they give out on you while you are driving, there is the potential for serious injury. I’m going to share some tire safety information here. Things like the importance of correct inflation, how to check the tread, when to replace tires, tire rotation, and what to do in case of a blow-out. I hope you find this information to be helpful.