The braking system is one of the most critical components of your vehicle. It is responsible for ensuring your safety on the road. But if the brakes are not functioning properly, you will not be able to maintain full control over your car. As a result, you will fail to avoid accidents. Along with time, the brakes of your vehicle are subjected to wear and tear. This can result in reduced performance and potential safety hazards. That’s why you should be familiar with the common signs indicating that your brakes need servicing. Here are a few such common signs that every vehicle owner in North Brisbane should be familiar with.
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Squealing or screeching noises
One of the most common signs of brake maintenance is squealing or screeching sounds. This is a high-pitched sound, and you can clearly hear it. It will only be audible when you are hitting on the brake pedal.
This squealing or screeching sound comes from the brake pad wear indicators. This is actually a safety feature of your braking system. The brake pads are designed to alert you to this sound when they have worn up to a certain level. Once your brake pads are worn, the wear indicators will come into contact with the rotor. That’s where you will hear this characteristic sound. If you start hearing this sound consistently, you need to take it as one of the warning signs. Hence, you need to go for a brake inspection as soon as possible.
Grinding or growling sounds
Grinding or growling sounds coming from brakes also indicate brake problems. However, it requires immediate attention. That’s because you will hear a grinding sound when things are really bad. In other words, you will hear this sound when the brake pads are completely worn down. Therefore, you will need to go ahead with a brake repair as soon as possible.
When the brake pads are completely worn, the metal backing plate would grind against the roto. If you ignore this sound and continue to drive, you will be damaging the rotors as well. This is one of the brake issues that require immediate attention.
Vibrations or pulsations on the steering wheel
Do you experience unusual vibrations on the steering wheel when you hit the brake pedal? If so, you are dealing with warped or unevenly worn rotors. When the rotors are not perfectly flat, they can cause the brake pads to grab unevenly. As a result, you will notice vibrations in the steering wheel or even in the brake pedal.
If you are hitting on the brakes heavily, there is a high possibility of ending up with warped brakes. It can also happen when the rotors get exposed to extremely high temperatures. To ensure vehicle safety, don’t ignore these unusual vibrations. Go for a brake system inspection to confirm your doubts and get a brake service done.
The brake warning light on the dashboard
As a driver, you should never ignore the warning lights that pop up on the dashboard. The brake warning light is one such indicator that requires immediate attention. It will only light up when there is a problem with the braking system.
It is important to keep in mind that this brake failure light can turn on for many different reasons. They include:
- Low brake fluid
- A malfunctioning ABS system
- Worn brake pads and many more
To diagnose what the exact issue is, you need to do a brake check. By doing an OBD scan on your vehicle, you can perform this brake diagnosis. Make sure to seek professional assistance for that.
Pulling on one side
Does your vehicle pull to one side when you hit the brakes? This can also happen when the brakes are not functioning properly. One of the most common culprits behind this issue is a stuck brake calliper. However, uneven brake pad wear can also result in such a situation. Therefore, you will need to pay attention to the brake indicator as well. In rare cases, a collapsed brake hose can result in pulling your vehicle to one side as well.
When your vehicle gets pulled to the side of the road upon hitting brakes, you will lose control over it. This can increase the risk of accidents. That’s why you should ask for help immediately. Routine maintenance can help you avoid such problems from taking place.
Soft or spongy brake pedal
Your brake pedal should not go all the way to the floor when you hit it. But if that happens, you should not ignore it. This can happen due to a problem with the hydraulics of your braking system. This is where you need to check and see whether there is a leak in the brake lines. A faulty master cylinder can also lead to failures in the brake hydraulics. In some instances, this can happen when there is air in the brake fluid.
A soft brake pedal can significantly reduce the braking power of your vehicle. In other words, it is a serious concern to worry about. That’s why you need to get your vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.
Reduced stopping power
When you keep on driving your vehicle for some time, you get the hang of it. In other words, you will know how much brakes you need to apply for the vehicle to come to a stop or reduce its speed. But when you start noticing that your braking power has reduced, you shouldn’t ignore it. It is a clear sign indicating that your brakes are losing their effectiveness.
This is a common issue that can happen due to worn brake pads. However, this problem can also take place when there is a malfunctioning brake booster or contaminated brake fluid present. To isolate the reason behind your reduced braking power, you need to seek the help of an expert mechanic. Routine maintenance can help you overcome this issue as well. For example, you will be able to replace the brake pads before they are worn.
Final Words
Any person who drives a vehicle on the road should be familiar with these signs indicating brake issues. If you ignore them, you will not just compromise your safety, but also the safety of others on the road. If you need expert assistance with inspecting the brakes in North Brisbane, you may contact SNC Automotive. No matter what vehicle you drive, the brake specialists at SNC Automotive can inspect your braking system. They will also help you with your brake system repairs promptly and ensure your safety on the road.