While we may be a stickler for keeping up with our vehicles routine oil changes, it may be easy to let other important aspects of car care slide. Brake servicing is one of the routine maintenance needs that simply cannot be ignored. Brakes are necessary to the safety of our vehicles, and their parts have a life span, which requires routine servicing to make sure everything is working properly.
Your Brakes Are Communicating With You
Brakes can give us signals that they are in need of servicing, repair, or even in worse cases replacement. Since your braking system is one of the most important safety components of your vehicle, it is imperative that you learn the signs they give you that there may be a problem that a professional needs to address.
Pay Attention To Your Dashboard Light
If your break light on your dashboard lights up, it is signaling you that there may be an issue that needs to be addressed with your breaking system. You can check to make sure your parking brake is not engaged, which would also cause a light to turn on, but if it is fully released then you can reach for your vehicle manuel to determine what the dashboard break light may be trying to tell you.
High Pitched Squealing
Typically, the light will not be indicative of an impending brake emergency, merely a signal to you that you need to make an appointment for servicing. However, if you begin to hear a high pitched squealing noise that stops only when you apply pressure to your brakes, then you are most likely in need of new brake pads.
Your brake pads are made of steel, and thus create a sound when they start coming into contact with the rotors. The brake pad wear indicators are letting you know that attention is needed so that you do not incur potential damage to your rotors which will be more expensive to repair.
Grinding Noises
Brakes that make a grinding sound that you can feel when you press the brake pedal can indicate a number of issues. There simply may be debris caught up in the caliper unit which will eventually free itself, causing the noise to stop. But if you have missed your brake servicing appointment for some time, grinding can be an indicator that the pads have worn through, and the noise is from metal on metal creating gloves in the rotor.
A grinding sound can also be due to lack of lubrication in vehicles that have rear drum brakes. This can be remedied by having your brakes serviced and fluid levels checked. The bottom line is that your brakes are sending you signals that they are suffering from wear and tear, it is imperative that you make an appointment for brake servicing as soon as possible.
Professional Brake Servicing
Jay’s Total Car Care is happy to help you determine what it is your brakes are trying to tell you before they are in need of total replacement. Keeping your vehicle safe means keeping your braking system in top working order, don’t wait until it’s an expensive and possibly dangerous situation. Call Jay’s Total Car Care today.