What to Look for in Terms of Brake Problems

Understanding what it looks like when your car’s brakes need some help is important. Here are some tips from Argonaut Garage to help you notice what’s happening as quickly as possible.

No Brakes at All

If there’s ever a time that you press the brake pedal and nothing at all happens, that’s a huge sign that there’s something big wrong with your brakes. You may have to use the emergency brake in order to safely stop the car. If that’s the case, you should not drive the car again before the brakes are repaired.

Odd Brake Noises

Most of the time you shouldn’t hear too much out of your car’s brakes. You might hear the odd squeak, but that should be about it. If you’re hearing other noises, especially grinding or clunking noises, that could be a sign of bigger trouble. It’s worth getting the brakes inspected to be on the safe side.

Vibrations While Braking

As you access the brakes via the brake pedal, brake fluid moves through the brake lines and puts pressure on the calipers, which then make the brake pads press against the brake rotor. If there’s anything that is warped or uneven, that can cause vibrations. As the brake issues worsen, those vibrations tend to also get worse.

Brake Fluid Leaks

Because your car’s brake system is a hydraulic system, it needs brake fluid in order to function. Any leaks of brake fluid are going to affect the system’s ability to function. Air can easily get into the brake lines if there’s a leak, making the brakes even less effective. If you do spot a brake fluid leak, you need to get your brakes checked right away.

Brake Light on the Dash

You’ve probably seen your car’s brake light on the dash every time you start the car. If you’re in the habit of using your car’s parking brake, you see the brake like even more often. But in both cases, the brake light turns off right away. If you’re seeing the brake light on your car’s dash while the car is in motion, that’s a sign from the ECM that you shouldn’t ignore.Argonaut Garage in Berkeley, CA can help you with any of your brake system needs. Give us a call today and we’ll be happy to thoroughly inspect your car’s brakes and determine exactly what the issue is. From there, we’ll recommend the best plan for correcting the problem.