The only part of your car more important than the seatbelt is the brakes. It’s critically important to monitor the condition of your brakes to ensure you and your car’s passengers are safe. Faulty brakes can be disastrous, so it’s important to understand when to replace your brakes. According to yourmechanic.com, brakes should be well maintained and replaced after 25,000 miles. In addition, you should replace your brake pads every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. Here are some signs that indicate you should replace your brakes or brake pads.
1. If You Hear Squeaking Coming From Your Brakes
Anytime your car is making an unusual noise, it’s best to take your car into the shop and get it checked out. When your brake pads begin to reach the end of their lifespan, the first indicator is usually a squeaking or squealing sound coming from them. This is often caused by the pads being extremely worn down. If you continue to drive with your brakes in this condition, you’ll begin to hear a grinding noise. Not only will this noise be loud and annoying, it means you will damage your rotors as well. This will only increase the cost of the repairs, so it’s best to solve the problem before it gets too far.
2. Your Car Is Taking Longer to Stop
New brakes and brake pads are reliable and will allow you to stop your car on a dime. But when your brakes begin to wear down, you will notice your car takes longer to come to a complete stop. It may also seem as if your car is skidding when you hit the brake. This is because the brake is struggling to gain traction on the pad. If this occurs, you want to make sure to bring your car in for service so a brake mechanic with the expertise to diagnose the problem and replace any parts that need to be fixed.
3. Your Brake Pedal Vibrates When You Press It
If you’ve ever felt a vibration when stepping down on the brake pedal, it’s safe to say it’s time to have your brakes checked and replaced. This will not only cause a vibration; it will also feel unsteady when driving. This usually means your brake pads are worn out and need to be replaced immediately. Not replacing your brake pads can lead to further damage to your car — leading to increased service costs and possibly full-time damage to your vehicle.
4. Brake Calipers Are Not Applying Pressure Evenly
Brake calipers are the central part of your brakes: They support the brake pads on the rotors and convert pressure exerted on the brake fluid in the rotor. When brake calipers begin to wear, they will stick instead of releasing. This then causes the brake pads to stick, which will cause poor braking and lead to other issues. As they continue to stick, it will cause friction and heat up, causing your brakes to quickly break down. Because quality brakes are built on the promise of dependability, it’s critically important you take them to get replaced to avoid any accidents.