Two Ways You Can Tell That Your Brakes Are On The Verge Of Malfunctioning
Posted on: 24 January 2017
Your brakes are arguably one of the most important components of your car. Think of how frightening it would be if you were able to plow an extremely heavy vehicle through the streets without a ready-made mechanism in place that could stop the momentum. Because of their role in protecting yourself and others, it's vital that you pay attention to the condition of your brakes and be ready to go into repair mode should they give off certain symptoms. Use this information to learn more about how you can tell that your brakes may need to be serviced soon.
You Hear A Screeching Sound When Applying The Brakes
One of the telltale signs that your brakes are failing is when you hear a loud screeching sound when you press down on the brakes. This sound can be thought of as the warning before the storm and should be heeded properly.
That loud, somewhat disconcerting sound that you hear is the result of there being little to no padding between brake rotors. Ordinarily, when your brake pads are nice and thick and in good condition, they prevent the metal from coming into contact with each other. However, as the pads wear down there is no buffer there to stop the metal from striking against the other rotors.
It's easy to think that you can ignore this sound, especially if it's your first time hearing it. A better option is to make it a point to listen carefully the next time you press the brake to find out if the noise makes another appearance. Keep in mind that if you are operating the car after there has been a heavy rain, there could just be some residual moisture on the rotors that is causing the sound. Make sure you test in dry conditions.
Your Car Vibrates When You Try To Stop
Another sign that it's time to have your brakes inspected can be detected when you're trying to bring your car to a complete stop. If you find that the car starts to vibrate, either subtly or violently, there's a chance that your rotors are warped. This is definitely an issue that you want to get taken care of right away because the next step could be complete brake failure.
You have what it takes to make sure that your brakes are safe enough to navigate the roads with. If either of these signs crops up, have a professional take a look at your brakes without delay.
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