How You Can Find Out
Even with all the new safety systems and components found in your vehicle, few things are as important to your safety as the braking system. To ensure your vehicle is always at its safest, you need to make sure the brakes are always performing at their best. Any slip up in performance could place you at risk, and you want to stay as safe as possible. At Accomplished Auto, we want to make sure your vehicle is always using the best version of its braking system, and the best way to achieve that is to know the signs of degradation. If you suspect problems in your vehicle’s braking system, look out for these common warning signs!
Is There a Strange Sound?
When driving your vehicle, you should never hear sounds coming from the braking system. Even in colder weather when the system may need a little time to warm-up, seldom should you hear a sound. If you begin to hear strange sounds every time you use the brakes, you may be dealing with worn brake pads.
If you hear screeching or squealing, that means the brake pads are at their minimum level of thickness. You’ll need to replace these soon to avoid damage occurring to the system. If you hear grinding, that indicates the brake pads have fully worn out. At this point, there is metal-on-metal contact between the calipers and brake disc, which can cause significant damage to the system and make stopping difficult. Continuing to drive with the brakes in this condition will only leave you with poor performance and an expensive service bill!
Placing Additional Pressure on The Pedal?
When stepping on the brake pedal, the system should respond to your action promptly. Even the lightest pressure should activate the brakes. If you have to place a lot more pressure on the pedal to activate the brakes, you’re likely dealing with a spongy brake pedal. This usually occurs when air or moisture is trapped in the brake lines, and the pedal will only get closer to the floor as the problem persists. If you wait too long, the pedal will eventually reach the floor of your vehicle, and you can no longer activate the brakes!
If you notice any of these warning signs, or you suspect something else within the braking system, make sure you schedule a brake service with Accomplish Auto. We are the trusted brake repair experts in Concord, New Hampshire!