If the brakes in your car have not been serviced in quite a while, they could be in need of repair or replacement. However, in order for you to know when it is time to take your vehicle to an auto repair shop to have them inspected, you need to know the signs associated with brake issues. Here are a few ways to know that your brakes are no longer in optimal condition:
Noisy Stops
When you press the brakes of your car, you should not hear any noise. Instead, your car should stop smoothly and quickly, but silently. However, when the brakes of your vehicle are starting to have issues, the brakes may make different sounds, such as grinding noises, squeals, or squeaks. These signs are due to the scraping of your rotors against the metal of your brake pads. Similar to the noises of scraping your nails on a chalkboard, your brakes make noises when metal scrapes against metal.
Soft Brakes
You may also notice that your brakes seem softer than usual when you press the brake pedal of your car. This is often do to a reduction in the pressure supplied by your brake fluid.
Your brake fluid transfers the force needed to stop your car from the pedal to the actual brake pads. When fluid levels are low, the brake pedal may feel less firm that it usually does. It is as though there is little resistance to you pressing the pedal with your foot.
No Recollection of Brake Servicing
If you are unable to recall the last time that your brakes were checked or serviced, you should take your vehicle to a mechanic. The brake fluid in your vehicle is only designed to last for a couple of years. After that time, the brake fluid may be contaminated enough that it requires replacement.
Contamination of the brake fluid generally occurs as water vapor is absorbed by the fluid. This water content can lower the boiling point of the brake fluid in your car. However, brake fluid that is no longer a liquid cannot transfer the pressure needed to stop your car. Pure brake fluid has a higher boiling point and resists turning into a gas.
If you are concerned about the brakes in your car, it is best to have them checked as soon as possible. Contact an automotive shop in your area, such as Hudson Goodyear, to schedule an appointment.
Share4 February 2016
Have you ever had the transmission fluid in your car checked or changed? How many miles are on your car? Have you noticed sounds that occur only when the car is shifting from one gear to another? The transmission in a car is complicated and very expensive to replace. If you don't learn what needs to be done to protect that key element in your car's mechanical system, you could end up paying for a new transmission or costly repairs. Visit our site to find out what you need to do to protect the transmission in your car from damage and wear.
