Your car’s brakes are a system you don’t want to play around with at all. But how can you tell if your brakes are starting to go bad or fail? These tips from Interstate Automotive can help you to determine when you should have someone take a closer look at your car’s brakes.
You’re Seeing a Brake Fluid Leak
Your car’s brake system is a combination system. Part of it relies on hydraulics, namely brake fluid, to apply pressure to the mechanical pieces. The brake calipers squeeze because of the brake fluid being pressed through the brake lines, and they ensure that the brake pad connects with the rotor to stop the car. If there isn’t enough brake fluid or there’s a lot of air in the lines, that’s going to cause issues with the entire brake system.
Or Hearing Noises from the Brakes
All types of car parts make noise, of course, but when you start to hear unusual noises or loud noises, that’s a reason to investigate further. In the case of your car’s brakes, you’re likely to hear squealing sounds, squeaking sounds, and even grinding sounds when there’s something that needs more attention. It’s never a good idea to ignore these sounds, especially if they’re new ones.
The Car Is Vibrating or Pulling When You Apply the Brakes
When you apply the brakes, you should feel the car slowing down and there may be some movements associated with that. But if you’re feeling vibrations or you’re feeling the steering pulling in a different direction, that can be an issue with the brakes. If you’re not sure whether this is the brakes or something else, pay attention to when it happens. Problems with the brakes are only going to cause this symptom when you’re actively using the brakes.
The Brakes Just Don’t Feel Right
Sometimes you don’t know what’s wrong with the car or specifically with the brakes, but you know it doesn’t feel like it normally does. That’s actually a valid reason to get the brakes inspected, believe it or not. Even if you can’t describe what doesn’t feel right, you spend a lot of time driving your car, so you know when something feels slightly off.
Don’t guess when it comes to your car’s brakes. Give us a call at Interstate Automotive in Eau Claire, WI. We can inspect your entire brake system for you and make sure that everything is working properly.