Warning Signs That You Need New Brakes

If you are here today, then chances are that your car brakes are not performing as before. This can happen due to several reasons. One might be that the car is too old, and it requires the brakes to be replaced. The second reason can be that of poor maintenance. After all, a vehicle is a machine composed of different components.

The different parts require regular maintenance. Unfortunately, many people do not understand it. At the end, they have to pay for costly repairs or even replacements parts. Thirdly, the tires might be worn out. Worn out tires take longer to slow down a vehicle. It is why, PitStopArabia always recommends that the tires be replaced before they wear out completely.

But if the tires are brand new along with the car, and the vehicle as been maintained properly, you still might require new brakes. Instead of focusing on the why, we will talk about the signs that indicate a set of brakes is required. So, pay attention as it might be happening to you but decided to ignore it thus far.

Fluid Leak

One of our customers said that he was really happy that the brake pedal was getting soft over time. We immediately requested him to let us examine the car. Our fears proved true. The soft brake pedal was due to leakage of the brake fluid. The fluid is located in a bottle just like the fluid for wind screen wipers.

If you see a fluid underneath the car once it has been parked for long, it shows that there is a leakage. To assess which fluid is leaking, take the car to your nearest workshop. Apart from fluid leak, the brake pedal can also go soft if there is air or moisture inside the braking system.

Deafening Noise

While driving, if you hear a squeaking or squealing noise, do not ignore it. We repeat, do not ignore it! The noise is indicating that the brake pad is worn out. In most cases, the sound goes away when you apply the brakes. It is highly recommended to replace the brake pads at once. Otherwise, the rotors can be quite expensive to fix.

Grinding

If you feel or hear a grinding sound while applying the brakes, it could mean several things. One might be that there is some sort debris of stuck between the brake callipers. This can be easily fixed, without taking too much time or money. It can also mean that you have not had your brakes serviced for long. In case of drum brakes, it is indicative of lack of lubricant. Either way, get the brakes checked right away.

Burning Odour

While driving on steep roads or off-road trucks, pay attention to a burning odour. In most cases, it might be the tires that are burning due to increased pressure. However, a pungent chemical-like odour is indicative of the burning brake fluid. Regular brakes can cause the fluid to overheat, leading to brake failure.

In such cases, the best thing to do is to pull over immediately and let the car cool down. Also, apply water to the tires to cool them down. If you see smoke coming from the wheel/tyres, do not continue driving. The smoke can mean several things. But the most likely cause is a malfunctioning calliper.

Car Pulls to One Direction

You might have heard or even experienced that the vehicle pulls to one direction while applying the brakes. Again, there are several reasons behind it. But in this article, our focus is brakes. When it comes to brakes, the two most common reasons for pulling to one direction are: 1) bad brake hose; 2) calliper.

It might be that one of callipers is applying more pressure or it is the only working calliper. In such situations, the car will pull over to one side.

Brake Light

If the brake light is on in the dashboard, make sure that the parking brake is not engaged. If its not, then it might be time to head to the nearest workshop. The light might mean that there is some problem with the braking system, or you need regular maintenance. At times, the sensor is also faulty, causing the light to turn on for no reason.

Final Thoughts

Not all brake repairs are expensive. Some can be fixed in no time at a negligible cost. But if you refuse to pay attention to the warning signs, then you might end up having to pay a lot more than you imaged. So, pay attention to these warning signs and head to the nearest workshop at the first sign of trouble. You can also give us a call & our roadside assistance/mobile workshop service will come to your rescue.