You don’t need us here at Trinity Auto Care to tell you that if your brake system goes bad it will be dangerous to drive your automobile. To prevent this danger, have your brake system inspected every 12,000 miles. Also, head straight to our shop if your brake system is doing any of the following.
Dashboard Warning Light
If the AVS or Brake light turns on while you are driving, the brake system is trying to tell you something. These lights turn on when system sensors report malfunctions to the engine control unit, your vehicle’s main computer chip. Don’t take chances. Pull over and have your vehicle towed to our shop.
Brake Pedal Changes
Your brake pedal may also start to feel different underneath your foot if the brake system is having problems. Specifically, if the master cylinder is failing, the brake pedal may feel soft or sink all the way to the floor. This can also happen if the brake fluid has air bubbles in it that need to be bled out.
Leaking Brake Fluid
Speaking of brake fluid, if you see brown or red spots on the garage floor around your tires, your brake system is leaking. As you know from action movies, vehicles with no brake fluid cannot stop. In other words, don’t drive your automobile if it has a severe brake fluid leak.
Noises During Braking
Another sign that your brake system is going bad is strange noises when you apply the brakes. Specifically, you may hear your brakes squeal, which is a sign that they are overheating. More on that next. You may also hear grinding noises if the brake pads have worn down to their backings.
Overheating Brakes
Overheating brakes pose a significant danger because they can fail once they get too hot. Aside from squealing sounds, you may also smell burning odors such as burning chemicals or hot carpet. Do not drive your automobile if the brake system is getting too hot.
Pulling to the Side
The brake calipers generally need to be changed every 75,000 miles. If it has been longer than this since she replaced the calipers, they may start to stick. When this happens, your automobile pulls to the side where the caliper is stuck on that wheel.
Finally, Trinity Auto Care in Blaine or White Bear Lake, MN, advises that your vehicle may vibrate if the rotor surfaces need to be recut. Call our shop right away to schedule an appointment if your brake system is doing any of the things listed above.
