Stewart’s Donnybrook Automotive in Tyler has been a trusted East Texas mechanic for many years.
The safety of our customers is our number one priority.
Unfortunately, it can be all too easy to ignore warning signs from your brakes. When you bring your car in for an oil change or regularly scheduled maintenance, do you remember to mention the squeaking noise your brakes have been making?
Ignoring warning signs that your brakes are starting to need replacing could not only cost you a lot more money than necessary—it could also cause an accident.
If you replace the compromised component in your brakes—brake pads are often the culprit—before too much wear and tear occurs, you can head off having to pay even more if you wear through the brake pads and need to replace other parts. Getting them fixed in time could save you thousands of dollars in repairs.
Neglecting your brakes could also mean they might fail when you need to stop suddenly.
Not only could this cause damage to your vehicle, it could also injure someone else.
Brakes are not a fix you should put off.
When your vehicle shows these signs, it’s important to take it to your trusted local mechanic right away. For brake repairs and inspections in Tyler you can count on our team of brake specialists to evaluate the condition of your brake system and make any necessary repairs.
How often you need your brakes fixed depends on multiple factors, the main being climate conditions and whether you’re doing a lot of stop-and-go, which wears your brakes faster. Driving in the rain, icy conditions and snow usually means you’ll use your brakes more often. More use equals more wear and tear.
Here’s a list of 5 signs your car, truck, or SUV needs new brakes ASAP:
Do you hear a noise when you press on your brake? Is it a screeching sound of metal on metal? If you’re experiencing these noises when you brake, it’s an indication that your brake pads need replacing.
The function of your brake pad is to press on the rotor or drum of the brake, which makes your car slow or stop. Repeated motion over time causes the brake pads to wear, get thinner, and create a squeaking noise.
While there are other things that can cause a squeaking noise when you brake, because of the importance of your brake pads, it’s good to get them checked right away. If you ignore the squeaking, it could result in replacing not only your brake pads but also your rotors.
Are you hearing a grinding noise when you press on your brakes?
If your brakes are making a grinding noise, there’s a good chance your brake pads are already worn, and the sound you’re hearing is the metal calipers as they grind against the rotors. The grinding is seriously damaging your rotors every time you hit your brakes. This noise is a warning it’s past time to get your brakes checked.
Do you pay attention to your dashboard lights? Too often, drivers ignore illuminated dashboard warning lights until it’s too late. If your dashboard brake light comes on, it’s a good idea to immediately take your vehicle to get checked by your mechanic.
If the light comes on, there’s a chance something is seriously wrong with your brakes. Getting it diagnosed quickly means less chance of an accident.
When you press on your brakes, do you feel a pulsing or vibration? This is another big warning signal that your brakes need fixing. A pulsing feeling could mean your rotors are becoming warped. Not only could warped rotors be dangerous and lead your brakes to fail—they could also be expensive to fix.
Warped rotors can occur from heavy use or regularly pulling big objects such as an RV, boat, or trailer. If you routinely pull heavy things with your truck, it’s a good idea to get regular checkups and maintenance for your brakes.
Do your brakes normally respond when you press on them? If your brakes don’t respond evenly or if they push in too easily, your brake’s hydraulic system might have issues.
Brake fluid, which runs through your brake lines, is necessary for your brake calipers to work. If your brakes aren’t working properly, it could mean there’s a leak or issue with your brake fluid/brake lines. This needs to be checked immediately, as it could cause your brakes to fail.
Whatever sign you’re noticing with your brakes, it’s important to be aware and not wait to get your vehicle’s brake system checked by a trusted local mechanic.
