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A well-maintained braking system is critical for any safe journey, whether you're traveling across state lines or just driving down the street. Your car's brakes need periodic service, but they can also develop other problems that can require more immediate attention. Learning to recognize the symptoms of trouble is essential for avoiding reduced braking performance or worse.
Fortunately, not every tiny issue that develops with your brakes means an expensive or dangerous failure is in your near future. This guide will help you understand three common braking symptoms and whether they require you to get your car to a shop as soon as you can.
1. Pulsing or Vibrating Brakes
You may feel a pulsing or vibration whenever you press on the brake pedal, or you may only notice it when you stomp on the brakes. This symptom often occurs due to uneven wear or damage to your brake rotors. As the pads move over the rotors, you'll be able to feel a pulsation as they make contact with trouble spots.
Pulsing brakes aren't an emergency, but they can make it challenging to brake smoothly, and your brake pads will wear down more quickly. You'll typically need to replace the rotors to solve the problem, but some shops may be able to machine your brake discs instead. While your brakes are unlikely to stop working, you should have a shop evaluate the problem soon.
2. Grinding Brakes
A metal-on-metal grinding noise is both embarrassing and worrying. You may also feel a roughness through the pedal whenever you apply the brakes. These noises typically mean that there's some amount of metal-on-metal contact between brake components. The most common cause for this problem is brakes worn well beyond their minimum acceptable limit.
If you hear grinding, there's a severe problem with your brakes. You may have worn your brakes pads too low, or there may be another issue causing parts of the caliper to contact the discs. In either case, you need to take your car in for evaluation and repair immediately.
3. Weak or Spongy Brake Pedal
If your brake pedal goes to the floor or feels spongy and inconsistent, you almost certainly have a problem with your braking fluid. Brake fluid provides the hydraulic pressure necessary to actuate your brakes. Contaminated or low fluid can potentially cause complete brake failure.
Never drive a car with a brake pedal that feels too soft or falls entirely to the floor. If you experience these symptoms, you need to tow your vehicle to a brake shop for repairs. Never ignore a spongy brake pedal or try to drive with one for a few more miles as this can ultimately cause your brakes to stop working entirely.
If you notice any of these issues, reach out to a professional who provides car brake repair services.
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