Vibration when you apply the brakes is another sign that your vehicle's braking system is in need of professional help. Chances are that your rotors are warped and created uneven brake pad wear at the same time. Another major sign that your brakes need to be checked out is loss of performance when applying the brakes.
If you're experiencing less than ideal stoppage times while applying your brakes, it may mean your brake pads are worn down completely or that your brake fluid is low often times due to a leak. For a true understanding of what's going on with your brakes, you'll want to get to a brake mechanic as soon as possible to ensure you don't lose all braking abilities.
Most modern vehicles come with brake warning lights that appear on your dash. Your brake light won't always come on when there is an issue — it's also the light that appears on your dash when your parking brake is engaged. Rest that foot on the floorboard to the far left, instead. Shed extra pounds, if possible. Not you — your car! Driving around with a heavy load means your brake pads have to work harder to stop your vehicle.
Other times, though, you can avoid it! Less weight means you could improve fuel economy, too! Doing this disengages the engine and lightens the load on your brakes when you do eventually have to stop. This means less wear and less heat on your brake pads and brake system! No matter how cautiously you drive and care for your brake pads, you'll need to have them replaced at one point or another.
Replacing your brake pads at the right time can even save you money! Take it from one of our lead technicians, Alex.
When they ruin the rotors, that becomes a big job. Most manufacturers put little brake squealers on there. It's a safety issue, and it's also about confidence: Feeling that your brakes aren't up to the task of stopping your car is plain unnerving. You don't need the stress. But how long do brakes last? And when should you replace them? Luckily, there are a few easy ways to know when it's time to get your brakes checked or replaced. Disc brakes slow and stop your car by using brake calipers they're like large, adjustable clamps to squeeze brake pads they look a little like hockey pucks sawed in half against the brake discs, also known as rotors Frisbee-sized metal discs.
When you push the brake pedal, it causes the calipers to clamp down on the brake pads, which squeeze the rotors, transferring the kinetic energy of your car into thermal energy—heat—via friction.
The friction created is what cuts the speed and brings your car to a halt. As the pads rub against the rotors, they both wear down slowly; the black dust you see on the wheels of some cars is the residue from the pad material and steel rotor that has worn off. Brake pads are an integral part of your car's disc-braking system, and making sure they are in good condition is crucial to your safety. Disc brakes generally give a few clear indications that it's time for a brake job.
The first is something you can hear: Once brake pads are worn to the point of needing replacement, a thin metal strip in the pads will make a screeching noise or squeal when you apply the brakes. The noise is generally audible when the windows are up, but it may be masked by loud music or other environmental noise. However, not all cars have this feature, which is called a mechanical brake-wear sensor or a brake scraper, so check to see if yours does.
If you hear a scraping or a deeper grinding noise, it could well be that the brake pads have worn down to their metal backing plates and that those plates are being squeezed directly against the steel brake discs. We offer a wide variety of service specials to help you save money and keep your car in great condition.
We have more than a century of experience, and our experts are dedicated to serving our customers. Our service department is open to customers on weekdays from 7 a. Your email address will not be published. October 6th, by Sweeney Chevrolet. Share this Post:. How Do Brakes Work? A Screeching or Squealing Noise A screeching or squealing noise when you apply your brakes is the most common sign that you need new brake pads.
Scraping or Grinding If screeching or squealing turns into a deep scraping or grinding sound, the metal plates on the backs of your brake pads could already be contacting your brake rotors or discs. Thin Brake Pads With many vehicles, you can look through the spokes on the wheels and see where the brake pad touches the disc or rotor.
Poor Handling If you have trouble stopping and the brake pedal feels mushy instead of firm, you could have water or air in your brake fluid, a fluid leak, or another problem. Lots of Vibrations If braking makes your car vibrate, pulsate, or feel jittery, your rotors could be warped. Posted in Tips. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.
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