Spring Break is here! Woo hoo!
But! Before you fire up your engine and head out for some fun, how are your brakes doing? If you’re planning on a road trip for Spring Break, you’ll want to know whether or not it’s time to replace your brakes. In this blog, we’ll share with you a few classic signs that you need new brakes sooner rather than later.
1. You Hear Squeaking or Screeching Sounds
Imagine this: you’re driving. Open road. No traffic. Your favorite song comes on. You got a promotion at work and a woman in another car just winked at you. Life is good. You press down on the brakes to gently drift around the curve…and then you hear it. That squeaking, screeching sound! You think maybe you imagined it. But then you brake and hear it again. What you’re hearing is the sound of metal meeting metal. It’s what happens when your brakes are worn out, signaling to you that you need a replacement.
2. You Notice Visible Wear and Tear
Some brakes are shy and don’t like to talk, so they won’t make the sounds mentioned above. However, a quick visual inspection is another effective way to know if you need to replace your brakes. Thinned out brake pads will be easy to spot, as the difference between a new brake pad and an old one is easily noticed.
3. You Find Fluid Leaks
If your car has been parked for a while and you find fluid underneath, it’s important to identify exactly what type of fluid it is. It’s easy to ignore the leak and assume it’s water or coolant fluid. However, it could also be brake fluid, something you definitely do not want. If it turns out your brake fluid is leaking you definitely shouldn’t use your car for long drives.
4. Your Brake Light is Turned On
Besides your rear brake lights, some cars have an indicator on the dash that tells you if your brakes have a problem. Car computers are calibrated to be 100% accurate, so you can trust the lights if they’re giving you a warning. If your rear brake lights are on without you pressing the brakes, it might just be your light switch (hidden behind the brake pedal) causing the problem.
5. You Have Sensitive Brakes
If you notice that slightly pressing on the brakes has a huge effect on the car, it may be one of two things. If you recently got new tires, it could be that you aren’t completely used to how well they hug the road just yet. If you didn’t get new tires recently, it may be that you have a problem with your brake fluid. When it comes to your brakes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
6. You Have Insensitive Brakes
On the other hand, you may have insensitive brakes. If you find yourself pressing the brake pedal way too hard to achieve the stopping effect you want, you may be low on brake fluid. It’s also possible there is air in your brake fluid, or that your brake pads are too thin. Finally, you can’t rule out the possibility that there’s a problem with your car’s hydraulic system.
7. You Smell Something Burning While You’re Driving
A burning smell when you’re driving can indicate that either your clutch or your brakes are burning out. If this happens while you’re driving, pull over immediately because there’s a chance that something is physically burning. It’s also possible your brake calipers might be stuck and causing the burning smell.
8. Your Car is Pulling to One Side When Braking
When your car uncontrollably tilts to one side when you apply the brakes, it could signal a problem with your brake hose or brake calipers. The issue is that one side may be experiencing more pressure than the other.
Conclusion
If you find your car plagued with any of these symptoms, it may be high time to have your brakes checked or replaced. Don’t put it off. Good brakes and the ability to brake properly are a major part of you and your passenger’s safety. A little spring cleaning on your car will go a long way and allow you to ride off into spring break!
Brake responsibly.
Spring Cleaning Your Brakes
Ready to upgrade?