Symptoms of Bad Brakes

Your brakes are the most important safety feature aboard your vehicle and so it’s important to know when something is wrong with them. To help Avon, Indianapolis, and Plainfield drivers know what to look for, Andy Mohr Kia has created this guide to the symptoms of bad brakes.

You Hear a Squealing Sound

One of the clearest signs that there’s something wrong with your brakes is when you have a strange squealing sound coming from them. This may happen when you move or it might happen only when you use your brakes; the causes for these problems can vary.

If your brakes tend to make a squealing sound only when you’re moving, it’s most likely caused by your wear indicators. These little metal tabs scrape against your pads when they’ve worn down enough, so this system is meant to tell you when to replace your brake pads.

Drivers who go too long without replacing their brake pads may start to experience a grinding noise when they press on the brakes. This is caused by worn brake pads digging into the rotor causing damage to the brake system. If you hear a grinding sound as you brake, it’s best to get comprehensive brake service performed as soon as possible.

Your Car Shakes When You Brake

A good sign that your rotors are wearing down is when your car shakes as you press the brakes. This is a normal part of your car’s wear-and-tear and so it’s a good idea to have your rotors as well as your pads replaced every once and awhile.

Generally, it’s normal to have to replace your brake rotors every 70,000 miles or so, but that can change based on your driving style. It’s always a good idea to keep up with your maintenance schedule when looking to learn more on when you should perform a specific replacement.

Your Brake Pedal Feels Soft or Unresponsive

Another common issue that can occur is a soft or “spongy” brake feel. When this happens, we mean that your brake pedal doesn’t stop where it should, and that it almost seems to need more physical pressure than before.

If this occurs, this is often a symptom of your brake fluid having air in it. It’s always good to keep up to date on your brake fluid whenever possible but sometimes air bubbles can get trapped inside your brake system. When this happens, you’ll want to have your brakes bled and your brake fluid replaced before your stopping distance is seriously affected.

An important note on this is that you shouldn’t attempt to bleed your brakes unless you are experienced in working with cars. Attempting to bleed your own brakes can cause damage to your vehicle if done improperly, so take your car to a professional.

Maintain Your Brakes at Our Service Center

It’s always important to stay up to date on your brake maintenance—that’s why our team at Andy Mohr Kia is here to help. We offer comprehensive brake service that Avon, Indianapolis, and Plainfield drivers can rely on.

If you’re looking to replace any of your braking components, we can help. Just schedule a service appointment with us today.