3 Brake Problems to be Aware Of

Being mindful of brake problems is part of being a responsible driver. The braking system is undoubtedly the most important component of your car. Without brakes, safe driving is impossible. Most people don’t think about it; but your brakes save your life constantly, everyday. That’s the reason that it’s essential to pay attention to what your brakes are telling you.

It’s smart to have your brakes checked regularly and keep track of their condition and wear. If you take care of your brakes, then you have the assurance that when you step on the pedal your braking system is going to perform exactly how it was designed to. Sometimes despite our best efforts, problems do develop with our braking system. By knowing the signs and symptoms of common problems, it’s easy to know what’s happening when you press the pedal and why. Here are some common braking problems and their warning signs:

Vibration in the Pedal

When your pedal shakes or shudders when you press on the brake, this is a very common sign of rotor warpage. Rotors are the metal discs that are part of the friction surfaces that stop your car. When they are overheated or subjected to too much force, they can become warped (deformed) which causes pedal shudder. This is a very common problem; although it is annoying, it doesn’t pose an extreme hazard. It will cause your brakes to wear unevenly, so it is probably a good idea to get it fixed.

Uneven Pull

When your car pulls strongly to one side when you step on the brake, it’s time to get it to a shop. Uneven pull upon braking is usually created when there is a substantial pressure difference between the lines that serve 2 different wheels. This can be created by a variety of causes, such as a leak in the brake lines, a failed valve in the master cylinder, a block in one of the brake passages, and air or water in the lines. These problems can cause anything from unpredictable braking behavior, loss of pressure/fluid, and failure of different components of the braking system. Get your car to a service station immediately. You might even want to opt for having the vehicle towed.

Brake Service Light is Illuminated

Service lights are meant to warn you that something is wrong with your car. If the “service brake” light is illuminated, it’s important to diagnose the problem immediately to make sure you can continue to drive safely. Thankfully, in this case it’s something that you may be able to diagnose and fix on your own. This light generally activates when the brake’s fluid level drops below a specific point on the reservoir. Pop the hood and check the fluid level. If it’s low, add fluid to the “full” line and see if that solves the problem.

Generally, this will take care of the issue, and the light will turn off when you restart the car. Be careful not to overfill when you add the fluid. Also be mindful that repeated warning lights are usually a sign of a leak in the braking system which is something you should have looked at by a professional. If your warning light stays illuminated and your fluid level is fine, you will want to have the car checked out immediately to be safe. You may also want to check and make sure the parking brake is all the way released, because everyone can be absent minded sometimes.