Most Common Signs That Your Car Brakes Need Repair
Brakes are one of the most critical safety features of your car. Neglecting them is not an option, as it can lead to costly repairs and accidents. If you cannot stop your vehicle on the road exactly when needed, you are putting yourself and everyone else in danger, which can result in a big disaster. Even a one-second delay can be catastrophic. To ensure maximum safety, you must keep an eye on your brakes and maintain them in perfect condition. The vehicles are one feature that should always be in top working condition. However, brakes tend to wear out over time, like any other car part. It’s essential to know the signs that indicate your car’s brakes need repair. This guide will explain all the warning signs to look out for.
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Worn Brake Pads
It is essential to check your car brake pads regularly for signs of wear or tear to ensure your driving safety. The brake pads are worn out if you can hear screeching sounds or feel vibrations when you press the brake pedal. Brake pads are car parts that wear out over time, so it’s normal for them to get thin. To check your brake pads, look between the wheel spokes and ensure they are at least half a centimetre thick. If they look too thin, you should replace them immediately. Checking the thickness of your brake pads is an easy way to assess the condition of your vehicle’s brakes.
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Strange Braking Sound
Nothing is more annoying than the sound that comes from your car’s brakes. If your vehicle’s brakes make a grinding noise or a high-pitched squeal, it indicates that they need to be replaced quickly.
In addition to the strange sound from the sensor, you may also hear a harsh grinding sound. This means that you have completely worn out your brake pads. When this happens, it indicates that. Whenever you apply the brakes, the metal of the callipers grinds against the rotors. This will damage the remaining brake mechanism. Instead of delaying, take your vehicle immediately to a mechanic.
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Brake Pulling
Have you ever experienced your vehicle pulling you right or left, and it feels like it wants to drive itself? Well, this could happen when the cliper is stuck. In this scenario, friction is only applied across one wheel, except the other, causing your car to pull you sideways.
If your car pulls to one side when you brake, it could indicate uneven brake pad wear, a sticking brake calliper, uneven tyre pressure, or a problem with the vehicle’s alignment. All such things can cause resistance braking or a swerve in your drive. This happens because brakes apply different kinds of pressure to other wheels. Worn tyres, inflated tyres, or improper vehicle suspension can cause dodgy pulling sensations. If you find any of these indications, then get your brakes replaced.
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Brake that vibrates
While making an emergency stop in a car with antilock brakes, you may experience a rapid brake pedal pulse. However, if the brake pedal pulses or vibrates in other circumstances, it indicates a brake problem. Under this condition, your car rotors usually warp when they are under severe stress for a prolonged period. Warped rotors are caused when you do severe braking for long periods, such as driving down a steep mountain or towing. When you excessively brake, tremendous friction is created, which heats the rotors and causes them to warp. If your wheels are misaligned, you may feel your brake pedal vibrating. In such cases, it is always advisable to visit a local garage.
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Temperamental Pedal
If the brakes are soft and spongy and go all the way to the floor when you press them before you feel the brakes engaging, it indicates a problem with the hydraulic system. It can happen because of some air or fluid leakage in the wheels. If your brakes go down at the slightest touch, it could indicate that the rotor is unevenly worn or it has dirty brake fluid, worn disc, or fluid contamination due to moisture. You can fix it by changing the oil.
More signs that indicate that the brake needs repair
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Dashboard warning lights
Modern vehicles have electronic brake wear sensors that trigger dashboard warning lights when the brake system malfunctions or the pads are worn out. If you see the brake warning light on your dashboard, you need to get your brakes inspected by a mechanic, and if they need to be replaced, you should do so immediately.
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Burning smell
If you smell a burning odour from your brakes when you apply them, it could be due to overheating the brake pads. Worn brake pads or dragging brake callipers can cause this. Overheating can lead to brake fade and reduced braking performance.
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Loss of performance
If you are experiencing more stoppage time than before when using your brakes, it indicates that your brakes require immediate attention. This might be the result of completely worn-out brake pads or low brake fluid levels, which are frequently due to a leak. Neglecting the issue can lead to potential danger and accidents. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you take your vehicle for a brake inspection and servicing without delay to ensure your safety and that of others on the road.
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Lack of pressure
If you feel a lack of pressure or a ‘soft’ feeling on the brake pedal when you press the brake, it indicates insufficient or old brake fluid. It is essential to replace brake fluid regularly to maintain your vehicle’s braking system. Read the owner’s manual to determine the correct type of brake fluid for your car.
What happens when you drive with worn-out brakes?
Slow Response Time when
It becomes very challenging for the driver to stop the car with old, worn-off brakes. If your car brakes take more time to respond, it may be a sign that they are worn out. You should pay attention to your brakes’ response time; if it is longer than before, get them replaced immediately to prevent potential car accidents.
Damage to Your Car’s tyres
It’s important to remember that driving with worn brakes can have very damaging consequences. For instance, your tyre can get worn out faster. When your brakes are worn, your response time may be slower, so you may need to apply your brakes more forcefully and suddenly to stop in time. This hard braking can take a toll on your tyres, causing them to wear down more quickly or become unbalanced, resulting in uneven tyre wear. To ensure your safety, check your tyres and change them if damaged.
Further Damage to Your Braking System
The brake system in a car consists of interconnected parts. Damage to one part can lead to adverse effects on other parts. When your brake pads wear down excessively, they can expose the metal on them, causing them to grind against the rotors when you brake. This grinding can create excess heat, leading to warping or cracking of the rotors. Ultimately, this can damage your brake system and require more extensive repairs.
Brake pad replacement costs Dubai.
The cost of replacing brake pads in Dubai can range from AED300 to AED900 per axle. The total cost depends on the type and brand of brake pad used and your car’s make and model. However, you can follow a few steps to save money.
- One way is to look for a brake shop that offers a discount for replacing both brake pads and brake rotors together.
- Another way is to look for an aftermarket brand of brake pads instead of the OEM pads.
- Finally, it’s always a good idea to shop around and compare prices to find the best deal on brake pads.
FAQs
How many years do brakes last?
Most daily drivers can expect their car brakes to last between three and six years or between 25,000 and 60,000 miles, depending on driving habits.
Do more expensive brakes work better?
The type of brake pads you use affects their lifespan. Carbon-ceramic brake pads are more durable but pricier. Good brands are a bit expensive, but they are durable.
How often should brakes be lubricated?
You should check your brakes and lubricate all this stuff every 12–15 thousand miles or once a year.
Is it essential to change the brake fluid?
Yes, you should change the brake fluid in a year or two.
Can I replace the brake pad and keep the rotor?
Yes, you can replace the brake pads alone without changing the rotors.
Does the front brake wear faster?
Yes, the front brake pads take much more pressure when you apply brakes than the rear.