Your brakes are one of the most important systems in your car because if you can’t stop, you definitely shouldn’t be driving. Here’s what The Auto Shop of Chapin wants you to know.
Noise
Brake noises are not great news. You are likely to hear these when you’re actively trying to use your brakes. The sounds you’re probably hearing include squeaks, squeals, and maybe even grinding sounds. When you let off the brake pedal, the noises probably stop, but that doesn’t mean that your brakes are okay.
Vibrations
This also tends to happen when you’re actively using your brakes. You might feel the car shuddering or shaking as you try to stop. The problem is typically more pronounced the harder you’re trying to brake, like when you’re traveling fairly fast and slowing down hard.
No Brakes
If your brakes are slow to respond, that’s a pretty big problem. It can mean that you’ve got air in the brake lines or that you might have a brake fluid leak somewhere. However, it can also mean that your brakes are about to fail completely. If you ever try to use your brakes and the pedal goes straight to the floor, you may have to use your emergency brake and hope that’s enough to help you stop.
Leaking Brake Fluid
Any time your car is leaking any fluids, that’s not good news. But in terms of your car’s brakes, brake fluid is what gives the hydraulic system the power to actually stop your car. That’s especially true when you’re traveling 50 MPH and need to stop quickly. A brake fluid leak can also mean that there’s air in the brake lines, which further hinders how well the brakes work.
Dash Light
Finally, if you do see the dashboard warning light for your brake system, take heed. That light is your warning that the onboard computer has detected that something isn’t quite right with your car’s brake system. There could be a chance that the brakes are fine and that the light is a mistake, but don’t risk it. It’s always best to have that inspected and to find out what’s going on.
Don’t play around with your car’s brakes. Get them tested today at The Auto Shop of Chapin in Chapin, SC. We’ll make sure that your brakes are functioning properly and that your car is as safe as possible. If you do need repairs or new brakes, we’ll make sure you know exactly what the car needs.