When your brakes aren’t working properly you can’t trust them to do the job in an emergency. Professional Automotive Services wants you to be safe on the road, so we’ve got these tips to help you to recognize brake problems quickly.
You See Puddles of Brake Fluid
Fluid leaks are never good. Your brakes are a hydraulic system, so they require brake fluid to function. Brake fluid is extremely greasy and it’s brownish in color. You’re most likely to see it on the ground near a wheel, but you might see it under the car, too. If you’re noticing a greasy fluid on the wheel or tire itself, it’s possible that’s brake fluid.
You Can Smell Burnt Brake Fluid
When brake fluid overheats, you can definitely smell it. Brake fluid that is overheating has a very chemical smell to it. If you’re smelling burnt brake fluid, that means that you’ve got a leak somewhere and it’s likely dripping onto something hot. The other possibility is that the brakes themselves are overheating, boiling the brake fluid.
You’re Hearing Awful Noises from the Brakes
Your car’s brakes have some built-in systems to help you to know when they’re wearing down. Brake pads in particular have something called wear tabs that make a squealing noise when they make contact with the rotor. You might also hear grinding sounds, which can mean that your brakes are having issues.
You Feel Vibrations While Braking
Another big sign of brake trouble is if you’re feeling vibrations when you apply the brakes. This means that the rotors and the brake pads aren’t connecting the way that they should. The rotor may even be warped, which can create big problems the longer the situation goes on.
Your Brakes Feel Wrong
You know how your car’s brakes feel, how far down the pedal has to go for you to stop, and what happens when you slam on the brakes. When you’re feeling something different, that means that something has changed. Don’t ignore that feeling, because it’s letting you know that there’s more going on than you might realize.
Getting your brakes inspected regularly helps you to avoid potential problems with them. If you need your brakes inspected, give us a call at Professional Automotive Services in Greenwood, SC. We’ll thoroughly inspect your entire brake system and let you know what we find. If you do need brake repair, we’ll get you back on the road safely and quickly.
