Your vehicle's brakes are one of its most important safety features, and brakes must be promptly serviced whenever they wear out or malfunction. If you notice any of these signs, your vehicle likely needs its car brakes repaired.

Grinding When You Stop

Most vehicle brakes function by rubbing a non-metal pad against a metal rotor. This process creates sufficient friction to slow and stop a vehicle, and the pad doesn't cause any damage to the rotor.

Over time, the non-metal pad will wear down and have to be replaced. If it completely wears out, the metal bracket that holds the pad will scrape against the rotor. This creates metal-on-metal contact that's not as effective at slowing and stopping, and it also damages the rotor.

If you hear a loud grinding sound whenever you brake, the noise is likely caused by metal-on-metal contact between the brake rotor and the metal bracket. Immediately take (or tow) your vehicle to a shop that offers car brake repair. The shop will be able to put on new pads and replace any damaged rotors.

Squeaking When You Stop

Many brake manufacturers install a small thin wire in their brake pads. The wire sits down in the pad, and it only contacts the rotor once the pad wears down some. When the wire contacts the brake rotor, it makes a squeaking sound.

If you hear a high-pitched squeak whenever you brake, the noise is likely caused by that metal wire scraping against the rotor. The wire won't cause damage, and the pad isn't completely worn out yet. You can still safely drive.

The squeak is a sign that the brake pad will wear out soon, however. Make an appointment for car brake repair soon, before the pad completely wears out and you hear grinding.

Brake Light Comes On

Your vehicle's dashboard has a brake light. The light is normally off when the vehicle is running, although you might see it (and all other lights) come on when you initially start up the vehicle. Should the brake light come on while you're driving, though, it could indicate a serious problem with your vehicle's brakes.

Specifically, your vehicle's braking system relies on a hydraulic pressure that must be maintained throughout the system. Should the system lose pressure, your vehicle's brake may not work. The brake light on the dash will turn on if this happens.

If you see the dashboard brake light come on, have your vehicle towed to a shop that offers car brake repair.

Share