We’re serious here at John’s Auto Care when we say brake problems can make driving your automobile dangerous. Can you imagine what would happen if you couldn’t stop your car, truck, or utility vehicle? We don’t want you to ever be in a situation where that happens, which is why we are listing the signs of brake problems below so you can identify that your car has a brake issue sooner rather than later.
Brake Fluid Leaks
Brake fluid most commonly leaks out of the brake lines. Instead of having spots underneath your car where the engine is, brake fluid usually leaks behind the wheels. Brake fluid is light brown or yellow when it is new and dark brown when it is old. Brake fluid can also be red, so check your fluid reservoir to see the color of your brake fluid.
Brake Pedal Softness
Your brake pedal gives you about the same resistance each time you use it. If you have power brakes, the pedal should stop at about 1 1/2 inches from the floorboard. If your brake pedal feels spongy, or if it sinks to the bottom of the floorboard, you have a serious brake problem that could prevent you from stopping your automobile.
Brake Pedal Wobble
Your brake pedal shouldn’t wobble when you apply the brakes, either. Neither should your steering wheel. If this happens, you might have uneven rotor surfaces that are making the pedal and steering wheel vibrate. It’s important to get this wobbling checked out right away.
Crooked Braking
When we say crooked braking we mean that your vehicle goes crooked when you apply the brakes; it pulls to the left or right rather than heads straight. This is usually a sign that you have a caliper that has a small rock stuck in it or that is stuck itself.
Grinding/Squealing Noises
Grinding and squealing noises can indicate one of two things. The first thing is that your brake pads are worn down too low and you need to get them replaced. The second thing is if your brakes are squealing every time you apply them, it could be that they are getting too hot.
Hot Odors
Aside from the annoying sounds, you may also smell hot odors every time you apply the brakes. This can open you up to a very dangerous situation because overheating brakes make it nearly impossible to stop your automobile.
John’s Auto Care in Roseville CA, recommends that you bring your vehicle to us for a brake inspection every 12,000 miles. This ensures this safety system is operating as it should be.
