Signs Your Brakes Need To Be Replaced Or Repaired

Your brakes are an important part of the function and safety of your vehicle. Don’t risk your family’s safety by driving with bad brakes. Here are some ways to tell that your brakes need servicing.

Your Brake Light Is On

The brake light on your dashboard means that your vehicle has detected a malfunction in the braking system. This is an urgent situation and requires your immediate attention. It can mean that your brake fluid is low, that there is reduced pressure or a leak in your brakes’ hydraulic system. It can also mean several other things, all of which can result in a complete loss of braking power. If your brake light is on, plan on getting the vehicle brakes inspected and serviced as soon as possible to avoid a potential catastrophe.

Squealing, Squeaking or Chirping

Modern brake pads include an indicator that is meant to make a squeal or high-pitched noise, indicating that your brake pads are worn and need replacing. This is usually a constant squeal that you may hear all the time or you might only hear when you apply the brakes. Other noises, like squeaking or chirping, may occur occasionally and can mean a worn pad, a stuck caliper or a variety of other problems.

Brakes can cause a variety of other noises as well, such as grinding — especially when you apply the brakes. This may be caused by a slight buildup of rust on lightly used vehicles, which might go away if you drive the vehicle a bit more. Grinding noises might indicate a heavy buildup of rust on the edge of the rotor, maladjusted drum brakes or that one or more of the brake pads have completely worn out and need to be replaced.

Vibration

Any vibration in your vehicle is cause for alarm, but if you feel a vibration in the brake pedal or steering wheel when you apply the brakes on dry pavement, even under normal braking conditions, it generally means you have a rusty or warped rotor that needs to be serviced or replaced.

Really Hard Or Soft Pedal

If your brake pedal is suddenly hard to press down to get any stopping power, there is a flaw in your power braking system. If your pedal is suddenly very soft or you need to push it nearly to the floor to get any braking power, there is a leak in your brakes’ hydraulic system. In both instances, brake failure could occur at any time and you need the vehicles’ brakes serviced as soon as possible.

Grabbing Or Pulling To One Side

If your vehicle brakes suddenly at the slightest touch of the pedal or pulls to one side when you apply the brakes, there is definitely a problem. Typically this is caused by poorly adjusted drum brakes and/or a sticking caliper or loose pad. It can also mean that the brakes are only working on one or two wheels. In either case you need to have the system serviced.

These symptoms don’t necessarily mean that you need a full brake replacement. In some cases, an inspection and maybe a simple service is all that’s needed to get you back on the road safely.

Bring your car into the service department at Neil Huffman Nissan of Frankfort, and we can inspect your vehicle’s brakes, explain what’s wrong and get you back on the road in no time. With award-winning service and convenient online scheduling, Neil Huffman Nissan is here to keep you driving safely.

 

 

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