Hi there, my name is Nancy. Welcome to my site about automotive maintenance. My car has lasted for more than 10 years without any major problems due to the strict maintenance schedule I follow. Vehicle maintenance includes oil changes, tune ups, tire rotations, alignments and a host of other important services. These services protect the vehicle’s components from excessive wear and unexpected failure. I will use this site to explore all of the different maintenance procedures and schedules available. I hope you can use the information on my site to keep your vehicle in great shape over the years. Thanks for visiting. Come back soon.
When it comes to knowing when it's time to have your brakes replaced or repaired, it's not easy to try to base this need off the distance you've driven. Unlike scheduling regular oil changes, for example, your brake wear is largely tied to the manner in which you drive. As such, it's important to be able to identify the sometimes subtle signs that tell you it's time to visit your local brake shop for brake repair. Decreased stopping distance is one key factor, but this can have many variables, such as the speed you're driving and the pressure you put on your brake pedal. Here are three other signs that your brakes need attention from a professional.
Lack Of Smoothness When You Brake
Upon applying your brakes, you should be able to feel that they're slowing down your speed in a smooth manner. This is a sign that your brakes are still in good shape. However, if your braking lacks smoothness -- for example, you feel as though the car is lurching as it slows down -- this is a sign of brake wear. This jolting sensation can often be the result of warping in your rotors. The good news is that if you catch this issue quickly, your local brake shop can repair your rotors and make them as good as new.
New Noises During Braking
It's customary for brakes to squeal a little bit if you're driving in the rain, but your brakes should operate quietly when the road conditions are dry. If you hear noises such as squealing or grinding, it's a sign that you need to head to your local brake shop. Squealing suggests that the brake rotors are reaching the end of the life; grinding essentially means that they're already there -- and that your ability to brake hard when needed might be compromised.
Pulling To Either Side Upon Braking
Healthy brakes should theoretically allow you to slow down and stop your vehicle while traveling in a straight line, even if you aren't holding the steering wheel tightly. When the brakes start to get worn out, and especially if one side is worn more than the other, you'll experience the vehicle pulling to your left or your right when you step on the brake pedal. This situation can be dangerous, especially during inclement weather, because there's a chance that your braking could pull your vehicle toward oncoming traffic.
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