Your brakes are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. In order to operate your car as safely as possible, you need to be sure you have well-functioning brakes. Maintaining your vehicle can help you get from here to there as safely and efficiently as possible, so here are some signs you need to get your brakes checked:
When you put your foot on the gas pedal, pay attention to how much pressure you need to apply. If you find yourself applying more pressure than you used to, it may be time to get your brakes checked. This additional need for pressure may be caused by your brake pads wearing down. The brake pads act as padding between the rotor, piston, and calipers. When the pads wear down, they become less and less effective at slowing and stopping your car. Every so often, they need to be replaced.
Do you feel your car vibrating when you are slowing down or stopping? If your car is vibrating when you are applying the brakes, you might have a brake problem. It is possible you have warped rotors, but this typically only happens from extreme stress under extended periods of time, such as friction heat generated from driving down a steep mountainside or stopping frequently when towing a heavy load. Your vibrations may also be caused by misaligned wheels. Whatever the case may be, a vibration can be a hint of a more severe problem that should be inspected by a mechanic.
In addition to feeling for brake problems, you should also listen for them. When brake parts wear down, they start to squeal. If you don't have your brakes checked or repaired, your brakes may even start to make a banging noise. If you hear these sounds, they should be taken seriously.
For help maintaining your brakes, schedule a service appointment with us at Island CDJR. You can reach us by phone at 877-453-0108 today!