Identifying When You Need Brake Repair

You use your car everyday and you rely on its ability to get you where you need to go. It's also important to maintain your vehicle so that it can continue to give you reliable service and keep you safe of the road. By learning about what things to look for when it your car needs brake repair you can successfully maintain your car on a reasonable budget and ensure that your car is safe and functional.

Dashboard Warning Lights
When you have a car equipped with warning lights on your dashboard, you can get advanced warning that service is necessary. This is sometimes only available in cars by option when you buy a new car. Today, however, there are many cars on the road that have these warnings. For your brakes, you want to pay attention to your brake light and your "maintenance required" lights. If your e-brake light doesn't go off, you may have to address the problem. "Maintenance Required" light could be a number of different things, but it might alert you to brake repair needs.

Pads Replacement
The pads in your brake system help maintain the strength and function of your brakes. They can withstand the heat and pressure required to stop fully and completely, even if you are braking from high speeds. Pad replacement is a necessary brake repair task, especially if you have a commercial vehicle, live in an area with stop and go traffic, or you have a bad habit of riding your brakes. If you hear you find that your brakes grind when you use them, chances are you need pads replacement.

Screeching Brakes
There are a lot of causes for screeching brakes. Sometimes the screeching noise comes from dirt or gunk in your brake system. A professional shop can eliminate the noise with a thorough cleaning. Other instances, screeching is a sign that you have worn out parts. A brake repair inspection can identify exactly what needs replacement. Normally, you can find a shop in your area that provides inspections for free.

Fluid Leaks
If you find that you have a leak under your car, it will be important to discover just what is leaking. Sometimes leaks are simply condensation, but if you're leaking brake fluid, you will need to bring your car in for brake repair. Leaks happen with improperly sealed valves or compromises in the brake lines. Fluid helps to lubricate, cool, and keep your brakes functioning properly. If not attended to, you are putting yourself and your car at risk.

Identifying when you need repair is very important. As was discussed before, many auto repair shops do offer comprehensive inspections for free or at a low cost. It's important that you keep in mind or log all of your brake repairs to get an idea when things need to be replaced or serviced.