Three Clues That Your Brakes Are Wearing Out
Posted on: 8 January 2016
It's difficult to think of a part of your vehicle that plays more of a pivotal role in your safety than your brakes. As such, it's important to be vigilant about having worn-out brake components repaired or replaced before they reach the point at which they limit your ability to safely control your vehicle. While brakes can provide a number of visual clues that identify their overall health, it's also easy to discern that you have a brake issue without climbing out of your driver's seat. Here are three clues that indicate it's time to visit an automotive shop to have your brakes checked.
High-Pitched Shriek
One of the easiest ways to identify worn-out brakes is with your ears. Your brakes are equipped with a metal indicator that rubs when your pads reach a certain thickness. When the indicator is engaged, you'll hear what can best be described as a high-pitched shriek or squeal sound upon applying the brakes. While you still have some brake pad life left, it's imperative to pick up on this auditory clue and book an appointment to visit an automotive shop for a brake job. If you frequently drive with the radio turned up, it's a useful practice to lower it from time to time to ensure that you'll be able to hear your squealing brakes.
Pulling To Either Side
Notice the response that you get from your car when you apply the brakes. While the response time is an indicator of the brakes' health, you should also notice whether your vehicle continues on a straight trajectory as it slows down or pulls to either side. The former is what you want to experience; the latter is symptomatic of brakes that are wearing more on one side than the other. Brakes in this shape can be dangerous because braking could pull you in the direction of oncoming traffic.
Pulsing Vibration
When a vehicle's brakes are healthy, you'll be able to slow to a complete stop in a smooth, controlled manner. Over time, brake wear can cause your vehicle to feel as though it's pulsing or vibrating once you hit the brakes. You'll commonly feel this vibration in your body, but an easy way to identify it is with your hands on the steering wheel. If you feel like your hands are shaking, it's a definite sign that your brakes are wearing out and you should get to an auto shop right away.
To learn more about brake repair, contact a company like Hudson Goodyear.
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