If you flip to the service section of your vehicle’s owner’s manual, it will recommend how often you should have the brakes serviced. Generally, a brake inspection is recommended annually or every 12,000 miles. Padron Automotive advises that these services are crucial to ensure you can rely on your brake system every time you press down on the brake pedal. Failure to have the system maintained may result in one or more of the following problems.
Hot Odors
Hot odors emanating from the brakes are an indication that the system is overheating. This can make driving your automobile dangerous because the brakes will fail once they reach a certain temperature. Many people describe the odors as burning chemicals or burning carpet. Your brakes will also squeal if they are overheating.
Leaking Fluid
Another thing that will prevent you from being able to stop your automobile is low brake fluid. If your vehicle has a brake fluid leak, you may notice red or brown spots on the garage floor behind the wheels. Brake fluid can leak out of the master cylinder or the brake lines.
Soft Pedal
If you have air bubbles in the brake fluid, your brake pedal will feel soft and give way underneath your foot. This can also be a sign that the master cylinder is going bad and needs to be replaced. Changes to the resistance the brake pedal gives your foot mean the brake system needs to be inspected right away.
Strange Sounds
Strange sounds when you apply the brakes are also an indication of brake problems. Scraping or grinding point toward brake pads. As we mentioned above, squealing can be a sign that the brakes are overheating. It can also be a sign that the brake pad surfaces are too low.
Veering
If your automobile fears to the side when you apply the brakes, the caliper on that wheel is stuck in needs to be reopened. If that does not solve the problem, the caliper will need to be replaced.
Warning Lights
Your brake system also has a couple of warning lights on the dashboard that will illuminate if the system is having problems. For example, if the antilock brake system is malfunctioning, the ABS light will turn on.
Wobbling
Finally, wobbling when you apply the brakes point to rotor surfaces that need to be recut. Your vehicle may also vibrate if there is road debris stuck in the calipers.
Padron Automotive in Topeka, KS, would be happy to inspect your brake system and make any necessary repairs. Call us today for an appointment.
