Well-functioning brakes are one of the most important parts of a safe vehicle. Not only do you endanger yourself and passengers with faulty brakes, but you also endanger other drivers on the road. Here are three signs that you need to check your brakes.

Squealing or Screeching Sounds

Your vehicle has pads on the inside of the brakes called brake pads. These come in contact with the rotor, which is connected to the wheel. When you apply the brakes, these pads squeeze the rotor or disk to slow its rotations and therefore slow the wheels and the vehicle as a whole.

If you hear any squealing or screeching sounds when you are braking, this is a sign that the brake pads are wearing down. Replacing these pads is simple and inexpensive and should be done regularly. Visit the service department at Bennett Toyota for help.

More Pressure Needed on the Brake Pedal

The harder you have to push on the brake pedal to stop, the more worn down your brakes might be. If your brake pads are fine, but it’s still taking extra pressure to stop, there might be something wrong with the brake caliper.

Clicking or Vibrating When Braking

Brake pads are connected to a brake caliper. This device is what squeezes the pads together over the rotor. If you feel clicking or vibrating when you’re braking, this could be a signal that the caliper is malfunctioning or the pads are coming loose.

Any type of brake malfunction could be life-threatening while driving. Don’t let faulty or worn brakes go unnoticed.

 

 

 

 

 

Image via Flickr by gagilas

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