5 Signs Your Car Needs Brake Repair Now

It should go without saying that your vehicle's brake system is its most important safety feature. The brakes are not only vital to slowing your car as you approach a stop sign or go around a corner, but also when a child runs into the street after a loose ball, or when an inattentive drive flies through a red light. Yes, seatbelts and airbags are wonderful in the event of an accident, but it is the brakes that can prevent that accident from ever occurring, assuming they are in good condition. If you ever notice any of these signs of brake failure don't hesitate to visit your local auto shop for further diagnostics and expert brake repair.

Grinding Noises

Often times the first sign of brake failure you will experience is a grinding or squealing noise that is audible when you hit the brake pedal. This will occur because the brake pads have worn away completely and metal is grinding on metal. However, some brake pads are designed with a mechanism that will create the noise when the pads are getting low, so you know it is time to have them replaced.

Soft Brake Pedal

If you have to push harder and harder on the brake pedal to get a response from the brakes then you certainly have some sort of issue. The usual cause of this is heavily worn brake pads, but it can also be attributed to air in the brake lines, or much worse, a brake fluid leak.

Brake Pedal Vibrations

Does the brake pedal or steering wheel vibrate as you slow your vehicle? This can be caused by warped rotors which will greatly reduce your braking power. Rotors are what the brake pads rub against to create the friction necessary to stop your car, so if the surface of the rotor is not smooth braking power is diminished.

Pulling

The car should continue in a straight line as you brake, if it tries to go left or right you likely have uneven wear of the brake pads. This sensation may also be caused by impurities in the brake fluid or a malfunctioning wheel cylinder.

ABS Light

Your dashboard has several indicator lights that will illuminate if sensors in the vehicle detect a problem. This includes lights such as the check engine light. The light related to the brake system generally reads ABS, which stands for anti-lock braking system. If this light comes on don't hesitate to get to the auto repair shop for diagnostics.

If you believe your car is suffering from brake trouble it is imperative that you get to an auto shop as soon as possible. To schedule professional brake repair in Birmingham reach out to HESCO Automotive & Performance Center LLC. We offer bumper to bumper auto repair for all makes and models. Give us a call at (205) 526-3796 to request an appointment for superior auto repair in Birmingham today.

Hesco Automotive & Performance Center Blog

Written and Published By MORBiZ