Some of the systems in your car might feel a bit mysterious, especially when they need repair. But your car’s brake system is fairly straightforward when it’s acting up. Louisville Automotive Shop has these tips for you to notice exactly when your brakes need help.
No Response in the Brake Pedal
Probably the most emergent sign you can’t afford to ignore with your brakes is that the brake pedal is not as responsive as it should be. This can mean either that you’re having to press the pedal farther to get the brakes to engage or that you have no brakes at all. Regardless of exactly what degree of problem you’re experiencing, this is a sign that your brakes are not in a safe condition.
Burnt Smells
Often when there’s a problem with your brakes, it involves overheating to some extent. That means that you’re going to smell that heat. The overheating could be brake fluid leaking and landing on hot brake parts or it could be the brake pad and rotor being too hot. This isn’t normal, though, and is a sign your brakes are having issues.
Brake Fluid Leaks
Speaking of leaking brake fluid, that’s a big problem. Your brakes are a hydraulic system and the fluid assists in adding braking power. If the fluid is leaking, that means that the fluid isn’t getting where it needs to be in order to help the brakes to function. You may also have air in the brake lines, which makes the problem worse.
Weird Noises
Brakes that are in bad shape are going to make a lot more noise than brakes that are in good working order. Listen especially for grinding sounds or for loud squealing sounds. These are your clue to start thinking about when you can have your brakes inspected to ensure they’re okay.
Warning Lights
If you’re seeing brake warning lights on your car’s dashboard, you really do need to pay attention. These warning lights aren’t going to pop on unless the onboard computer has detected that something is not quite right somewhere in the brake system. Finding out what’s wrong is crucial.
Don’t let brake problems get worse. Louisville Automotive Shop in Louisville, KY can help you to diagnose what’s wrong with your brakes and get them repaired. That helps to keep you safe on the road and ensures that your car is working as well as possible.