A car is a very fragile thing. Every day you get in it, it’s depreciating because of the natural wear and tear it goes through. This is normal though, so it shouldn’t give you anxiety about what may or may not happen to it while you are on the road, but it does make you think about what could be wrong with it for the next time you turn the engine on.
Some of the problems can be quite apparent. A burnt headlight won’t illuminate, and the oil may need changing when the warning light comes on, but there are some very crucial elements to a car that you need to pay closer attention to. In this case, it’s the brakes of your car. Without them, you wouldn’t be sitting here reading this, so if you want to know how to tell if your car’s brakes are in need of a swap out, then read how to spot the warning signs and sounds.
1. Takes Longer to Come to a Complete Stop
Easily one of the most telling signs that your brakes are in need of some new pads or calipers is that it’s taking you a lot longer to come to a complete stop. This is not surprising, but as Advanced Braking shows, it’s a good time to seriously look into a new set of brakes. Taking longer to come to a halt can be very dangerous, especially if conditions on the road are still not ideal during a slippery spring. If you’re noticing this is an ongoing problem, head down to your local auto shop for a look.
2. Your Car Leans to One Side When Stopping
Another interesting sign that your brakes are getting old or worn down is that when you stop, your car is leaning or slanting to one side or the other. This pulling motion will be indicative of either the brake being worn down or something wrong with the struts of your car, but either way, it’s not good to leave this uninspected. Make sure that you pay close attention to how your car moves when it comes to a stop.
3. You Can Hear a Squealing Sound Coming From Your Wheels
A sharp squealing sound coming from your wheels is probably the other most noticed problem when it comes to your brakes. You may have heard it before and you might think that your brakes are simply in need of some WD-40 or a greasing, but the reality is that they could be balding, which is causing that whining sound. Listen to your car with the window down to hear it and if it gets worse, get them changed as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
4. Pressing on Your Brake Pedal Gives You a Vibrating Feeling
It’s also possible to tell when your brakes are starting to go by feeling the sensation of the brake pedal. Usually, with new or normal brakes, pressing down feels relatively smooth, but when your brakes are old, it can be harder for them to apply pressure or catch, so the pedal starts to vibrate. This is a sign that they aren’t able to apply pressure to the wheel as easily which is a sign that they’re losing capability and should be replaced.
5. You Can Hear a Clicking Sound
The problem with the clicking sound of a car is that there can be a lot of problems. It might mean you need an oil change, there could be something loose in the engine, there might be something that is rusted, but it’s also possible that it’s the brakes. Whenever you hear a clicking sound from your car, be sure to consider the possibility that it’s your brakes.
6. The Brake Pads Are Grinding
Your last possible clue is the loud grinding sound that can occur. It’s going to be very noticeable if they’re really far into their lifespan, and like the squealing sound, you’ll notice it right away. If the pads are grinding, they may be rusted which means they aren’t going to work well and can cause your car to slide further when attempting to stop and it’s time to get them switched out for a new set.
Plenty of things can happen to a car on the road, but some of the problems are more pressing than others. One such concern is your brakes because brakes that aren’t in top condition can be very dangerous. To prevent this from becoming an issue, look for those warning signs to prevent future complications.