There may be little more frightening to a driver than the idea of their brakes just giving out in the middle of a busy freeway. Are you doing all you can to avoid having that nightmare become a reality? Knowing when it’s time to get your car’s brakes checked at your foreign auto repair shop in Conway, AR doesn’t have to be a complicated calculation, but first you have to know what you should be looking for. Here are a few signs that your brakes need to be looked at by a professional.
- Noise: Unless you’re making a particularly abrupt stop, your brakes shouldn’t be making any noise. If your brakes are squeaking, screeching, grinding or making other unusual sounds, that’s usually a sign the pads and shoes need to be repaired or replaced. Neglecting to do this could lead to more serious damage later, so be sure to bring your car into the shop as soon as you start hearing those awful noises.
- Brake warning light: You can’t get a more direct sign that your brakes need attention than when your car’s brake warning symbol lights up, yet so many drivers ignore this signal or put off taking care of it for months. Even if it feels like your brakes are running fine, it’s in your best interest to bring your vehicle in for an inspection as soon as you can once that light goes on.
- Vibrating: When your pedals or steering wheel start vibrating, that’s your brake system trying to communicate to you that it’s under stress. Waiting to get this fixed could cause serious damage to your rotors, so don’t hesitate to visit your foreign auto body repair shop in Conway, AR as soon as possible.
- Burning smell: Any kind of chemical burning smell while driving is a sign to stop driving as soon as possible and seek immediate help. Many things could be causing this problem, including faulty brakes.
- Jerky driving: If your car ever seems to want to turn when you’re trying to drive straight or brake, this is likely a sign of several possible brake problems: a stuck caliper, a collapsed brake hose or uneven brake pads. Come in to Riverdale Automotive today if you’re seeing any of these issues.
- Strange pedal response: Your brake pedal should never be too sensitive—or not sensitive enough—to your touch. Two problems with brake pedals are either braking hard as soon as you put your foot down, or failing to brake until you feel like you’re forcing the pedal with your foot. These problems have many potential causes, including an air or brake fluid leak, worn pads, hydraulic system malfunction, an uneven rotor or dirty brake fluid. To find out what’s causing trouble with your brake pedal, bring it to your trusted mechanic today.
Whatever symptoms your car may be displaying, we hope you’ll never hesitate to get your brakes checked early and often. If you have any questions about these or other potential problems, please call Riverdale Automotive in Conway, AR.