Your vehicle’s brakes are the single most important safety feature you have while on the road. Whether you’re running errands around town or taking your dream road trip, your ability to stop quickly is crucial to keeping those both inside and outside of your car safe. The only problem is that brakes don’t last forever, and if you want to avoid accidents, you need to know how to tell if your brakes are bad.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to tell if your brakes are worn out. You just need to know what to look for. So, here is everything you need to know about recognizing the signs of bad brakes, what causes brake issues, and when you should seek out the professionals for repairs.
Common Signs of Bad Brakes
The best way to stay safe out on the road is to recognize the warning signs before your brakes have the chance to fail and cause an accident. If you don’t know how to tell if your brakes are bad, here are some of the most common symptoms to look out for.
Squeaking and Squealing Noises
One of the earliest indicators of worn-out brakes is hearing a high-pitched squeaking or squealing noise when you press down on the brake pedal. Most brake pads have a metal wear indicator that starts to make noise as soon as it gets too thin. While hearing this for the first time isn’t an immediate sign that your brakes are about to fail, it does mean that you should start thinking about replacing your brake pads soon.
Grinding Sounds
If the aforementioned squeaking and squealing noises start turning into a more abrasive grinding sound, this is a clear sign that your brakes have worn down to a dangerous level. This sound comes from the metal brake caliper pressing directly onto the rotor, and it means that the brake pad has completely worn down.
This doesn’t just reduce your ability to stop safely. It also means that you’ll be causing severe damage to your brake calipers and rotors, which can result in the need for a lot more costly repairs. Grinding sounds while driving are never normal, and if you hear them, you should address the issues right away.
Vibrations and Pulsations When Braking
Do you feel vibrations, pulsations, and any similar shaking sensations in your steering wheel or brake pedal when trying to slow down? This is another common symptom of bad brakes, usually indicating that your rotors are warped or your brake pads have uneven wear. Basically, if the brake surface is uneven, the brake pads can’t grip properly, which causes unsettling vibrations. Beyond being uncomfortable, this issue also increases your stopping distance and will continue to get worse over time if ignored.
Dashboard Warning Lights
Most modern vehicles have all sorts of sensors that monitor every aspect of a car, including the brakes. If something is wrong, there should be an ABS warning that lights up somewhere on your dashboard. This warning light could signify anything from low brake fluid levels to a more complex electronics issue, but regardless of the specifics, if you see the ABS light come on, you should go get your brakes checked.
Soft or Spongy Brake Pedal
Another sign to look out for is the feel of your brake pedal. When you press down on your brake pedal, it should feel firm and responsive, and not soft or spongy. If you notice that your brake pedal is feeling softer than normal, it could be a sign that there is air trapped in the brake lines or a brake fluid leak, and you should seek out professionals to inspect your brakes immediately.
Car Pulling to One Side
If your car is pulling to the left or right when braking, this could also be a sign of any number of brake issues, including uneven brake pad wear, a stuck caliper, or a hydraulic or brake fluid problem. While this could also point to issues with your suspension or alignment, brakes are often to blame here, and you should seek out professional help regardless.
Burning Smell While Driving
Noticing a burning smell while driving is never a good sign, but if it happens after you press down on the brake pedal, it almost certainly means that your brakes are overheating. When brakes overheat, it significantly reduces braking power and could lead your brakes to fail altogether.
If you notice a sharp, chemical burning smell after braking, you should pull over immediately to let them cool down and then schedule an inspection as soon as you can.
Longer Stopping Distances
One of the most dangerous signs that your brakes are going out is a stark increase in stopping distance. Unfortunately, the big problem here is that increases in stopping distances are often hard to notice during daily driving, especially in low-speed rush hour traffic. However, if you do notice that it’s taking you longer to come to a complete stop, it’s likely due to brake issues.
How to Inspect Your Brakes
If you are wondering how to know if your brakes are bad, you can also inspect your brakes yourself. While you should always go to a professional for a full diagnosis, you can get a better idea about the condition of your brakes by performing a few simple checks before you decide to bring your car in.
- Visual Brake Pad Inspection: Simply look through the wheel spokes and find the brake pad. If you notice that it looks more than ¼ inch thick, it’s probably time for a replacement.
- Rotor Condition Inspection: You should also be able to see the rotor through your vehicle’s wheels. If you see any deep grooves or uneven wear on the rotor’s surface, you should take it to a professional as soon as you can.
- Sound and Feel: Always pay attention to any noises you hear as well as any changes in the resistance you feel when pushing down on the brake pedal. If something feels different or off, it’s probably because something is wrong.
The simple DIY checks can help you spot obvious problems if you are unsure. However, it is important to understand that not all brake problems present visible signs. Issues with brake fluid and ABS system malfunctions require special tools to diagnose, so it’s always best to take your vehicle to a professional automotive expert as soon as you suspect that something may be wrong.
What Causes Brake Problems
Brakes are designed to wear down over time, but there are a number of factors that may speed up the process or cause more sudden brake failures. These include:
- Normal Wear and Tear: pads and rotors are designed to be replaced and will wear down the longer you use them.
- Driving Habits: Frequent hard braking or stop-and-go traffic wears brake pads down a lot faster than steady highway driving.
- Lack of Maintenance: Cars are complicated machines with thousands of moving parts that need regular maintenance, and your brakes are no different. Replacing old brake fluid is of particular importance here because it can reduce braking efficiency and cause brake pads to wear down more rapidly.
- Caliper Malfunction: Calipers and other physical parts of the braking system can experience problems that cause them to stick, which can lead to uneven braking and increased wear.
What Causes Brakes to Lock Up
One of the more common issues that many drivers experience is their brakes locking up. There could be several factors that cause this, including:
- A malfunctioning ABS system that fails to regulate pressure properly.
- Stuck calipers that keep constant pressure on the rotors.
- Uneven hydraulic pressure from a damaged or leaking brake line.
Brake locking can be particularly scary to experience because it prevents you from steering when slowing down. If you are experiencing issues with brake locking, you should get your vehicle professional attention right away.
When to Seek Professional Brake Repair Services
In short, you should seek professional brake repair as soon as you suspect you may be having brake issues. Functional brakes are essential to everyone’s safety on the road, and you have nothing to gain from pushing off getting an inspection, especially if you already know that your brakes are going bad. Waiting only leads to higher repair costs and increasing safety risks.
At the end of the day, even if there is nothing wrong with your brakes, you don’t lose anything by taking your car in for an unnecessary inspection anyway, so don’t take any risk with your life and the lives of others. If you think you have brake issues, contact a qualified mechanic and get a professional inspection before it’s too late.
Contact Welsh Automotive Today
Do you suspect that your brakes are going out? Are you having trouble figuring out how to know if your brakes are bad? Give us a call at (610) 524-5437 or request an appointment on our website.
Our team of automotive experts is always here to answer your questions and will happily help you schedule the specific services you need to keep your brakes in pristine condition. Don’t wait until your brakes give out completely. Contact Welsh Automotive and schedule your next brake service today!