{"id":1974,"date":"2021-08-18T15:00:47","date_gmt":"2021-08-18T20:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carwise.com\/blog\/?p=1974"},"modified":"2021-08-18T15:00:47","modified_gmt":"2021-08-18T20:00:47","slug":"six-signs-your-car-may-need-new-brakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carwise.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/18\/six-signs-your-car-may-need-new-brakes\/","title":{"rendered":"Six Signs Your Car May Need New Brakes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When it comes to safety on the road, one of the most important aspects of vehicle maintenance is the brakes. While just two percent of all accidents in the U.S. are caused by brake failure, it is still extremely dangerous and, in most cases, preventable with routine maintenance. Brake failure is often gradual, and cars show plenty of warning signs when brake maintenance is needed before your car\u2019s brakes stop working completely. Industry experts recommend replacing the brake pads every 10 \u2013 20,000 miles to keep wear to a minimum. Like with many car maintenance tasks, neglecting routine brake maintenance can incur further damage to your car’s mechanics or auto body, or it could lead to a serious accident. But if you\u2019ve forgotten to take your car in for regular brake maintenance, or you\u2019ve purchased a used car recently and aren\u2019t sure what shape the brake pads are in, here are some telltale signs to look, listen, and sniff for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 \u2013 Squealing or clicking noises. <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you hear a squealing noise while driving your car that\nseems to stop when you brake, that is most likely a sign that your car\u2019s brake\npads need replacing. Brake pads make a very annoying sound when they\u2019re worn\ndown due to the wear indicators rubbing against the brake pad rotor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, if you hear a clicking noise when you press\nthe brakes, that\u2019s a sign that the brake pads could be loose. They should be\ninspected in this case as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 \u2013 Take longer to break or being extra sensitive to\nbraking. <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that your car is taking longer to brake,\nthat\u2019s another sign that your brakes need to get checked out. Alternatively,\nbrakes that are very sensitive or \u201csudden\u201d could indicate a brake fluid level\nor other issue. Additionally, if you feel vibrations in the brakes when you use\nthem, that can be another sign of a problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 \u2013 Your car pulls to one side. <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Keep note of how your car moves when you brake. If a vehicle\ntends to drift to one side when braking, this could mean that the brake pads\nare wearing unevenly. In that case, leaving the problem could cause damage to\nother parts of your car, like the ball joints or steering column. Be sure to\nreplace both brake pads promptly to avoid further issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 \u2013 Visible signs of wear. <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, knowing if your brakes need to be repaired is as\neasy as taking a look at the brake pads. You may have to remove the wheels to\ndo this, but brake pads should be at least a quarter inch thick. If it\u2019s\nthinner than that, it\u2019s definitely time to have them inspected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 \u2013 Fluid leaks. <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This sign may be more difficult to decipher because cars can\nleak fluid for all sorts of reasons, from the air conditioning to the transmission\nto the engine. Brake fluid is yellow or light brown, similar to vegetable oil. If\nyou\u2019re not sure, head to a mechanic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 \u2013 A burning smell. <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The smell of burnt rubber after you hit the brakes is a strong\nindication that your brake system has overheated. Continuing to drive your vehicle\nwhen the brake system is overheating can damage the brake line and cause brake\nfailure, which can be dangerous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neglecting Brake Maintenance Can Increase Risk of\nAccidents & Vehicle Damage <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The bottom line? When in doubt, get your brakes checked out. While accidents due to brake failure are rare, and it is very rare for brakes to fail without warning, accidents can still happen, from minor fender-benders<\/a> to severe collisions. The risks increase in inclement weather, especially on wet or icy roads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your brakes do fail while you\u2019re driving, here are a\nfew safety tips: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n