The brakes on your car are essential to the safety of you and your passengers this summer. While it is important to having your brakes regularly maintained, there are some signs to watch for that your brakes need to be replaced:
- Worn pads. The pads on your brakes work to insulate and buffer the metal parts from rubbing against each other. Without brake pads the metal parts of your brakes would start to throw sparks and would cause serious damage to the rest of your car. Have a professional mechanic check the thickness of your brake pads before you go on any road trips this summer.
- Built into your brake system is an indicator in the form of a loud screeching noise that lets you know that the brake pads are worn down. Also, because worn pads means metal on metal, you will also hear grinding noises. If your brakes are making any kind of noise when you engage them, make sure to see a professional mechanic sooner rather than later.
- As you are driving your car down the road, if you notice that it seems to be driving itself you might have a problem in your braking system. When your car seems to be pulling to one side of the road or the other, this can usually be traced back to a problem with the brakes on one wheel rather than another. While this does not always indicate problems with your brakes, you should definitely have it checked out just to be sure.
- When you are coming to a stop in your car, if you notice that the car is shaking and vibrating this could indicate a struggle to stop and be a sign that your brake system needs service. Typically, this motion can be traced back to warped rotors, but it is important to have your car thoroughly inspected to rule out any other problem.
Taking road trips during the summer months is a favorite activity for most families and a great way to spend time together. Make sure that your car’s brake system is in top working order before you hit the road.
