The last thing you might want to hear is that your car needs new brakes. But if you know what to look for proactively, you might be able to avoid some of the more obnoxious signs that you have a brake problem. Here’s what Louisville Automotive Shop wants you to be aware of regarding your car’s brakes.
The Car Isn’t Stopping Well
It happens gradually, but over time as your brakes start to get worse, it takes longer to slow down. It might even take more time and more effort to stop the car fully. If you’re finding that the response time from the brakes and the performance you’re used to have changed, then it might be time for you to have your car’s brakes inspected.
Or it Pulls When You’re Stopping
When you stop, the car should keep itself straight, unless you’ve turned the wheel for some reason. If you’re feeling a strong pull when you apply the brakes, that can mean that there’s a problem with the brakes on one side of the car. Any time that you have to fight the car for control, that’s not a good sign at all.
You’re Feeling Vibrations During Braking
Pay attention also to other things when you’re applying the brakes. If you feel vibrations that shudder the steering wheel, but only when you’re braking, that’s a sign that there’s something going on with the brakes. The problem could be the rotor, the brake pad, or even something else in the brake system. The big thing to know is that isn’t normal and it needs to be checked out.
Check the Brakes Visually and Really Listen
Something else that you can do to keep tabs on what’s happening with your car’s brakes is to listen for unusual sounds and to visually inspect them now and again. Visual inspections are easy to do any time you’re checking the tire pressure in each wheel. Just peek at the brakes and see if you notice any changes that might be important. As far as what you hear, if you ever hear squealing sounds, grinding, or other unusual sounds when you apply the brakes, they need to be checked.
Need your brakes checked? Get in touch with Louisville Automotive Shop in Louisville, KY today. We’ll thoroughly inspect your brake system and make sure that they’re operating properly so you can be safe in your vehicle. If they do need to be replaced, we can help with that, too.