Braking news | 5 brake warning signs you shouldn’t ignore

If the braking system in your vehicle is healthy and functioning properly, it should be virtually invisible - no unwanted noises, no strange sensations, and no warning lights illuminated in the vehicle’s instrument cluster or dash.

Here are some telltale brake warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored.

1. Soft Pedal

If your brake pedal doesn’t feel as firm and precise as you expect, or if you need to press it harder or deeper towards the floor than usual to stop, something’s wrong with your brake system. It’s often a brake warning sign that the brake pads and rotors are worn down and in need of replacement, but could also be related to fluid leak or brake fluid that’s been contaminated by air or water. In any case, a soft brake pedal is a key warning sign that your vehicle’s brakes need immediate attention.

2. Squealing

Your vehicle’s brake pads generate the all-important friction required to stop the vehicle \, and they wear out a little, every time they’re used. In a braking system, a built-in wear indicator is used to tell drivers when the brake pads are in need of replacement. A small metal tab is installed to the brake pads, so when the brake pad wears down it contacts the spinning metal brake rotor just beneath it. You might recognise that irritating squealing or squeaking noise, most audible at low to moderate speeds.

3. Warning Light

A warning light is a clear brake warning sign, but can mean any number of problems detected within your car’s braking system. Check your owner’s manual for the location and design of your specific vehicle’s brake system warning light, and instructions on what to do if you see it. As a general rule, this light is used to invite drivers to have their brakes inspected professionally, whether the issue be minor brake pad wear, or a more serious hydraulic brake fluid leak.

4. Metallic Scraping

If you hear a loud scraping sound when applying your brakes, proceed with extreme caution. It could be caused by some surface rust on the brake rotors or a lack of lubrication, but the more common cause is a total wear-down of the brake pads. Brake pads consist of a slab of wearable friction material bonded to a steel plate. When the friction material is totally worn down, that metal plate is allowed to contact the rotors directly, resulting in an uncomfortable ‘metal-on-metal’ sound. If that’s the case, stop driving the vehicle immediately and have it towed.

5. Car Pulls to One Side Under Braking

Pulling to the left or right under braking has several possible causes, including a sticky or seized brake caliper, a damaged brake pad, a hydraulic leak within the system, worn seals or other components, and more. In any case, a consistent tendency of your vehicle to drift to the left or right under braking needs to be addressed, as your safety is at risk. Note that parts of your braking system require periodic maintenance and lubrication to function properly, and failure to adhere to factory-prescribed maintenance can lead to rusted or seized parts that may result in this symptom.

Make sure yours are in prime working order with a SafeTstop check at Goodspanner Tyre Centre. It can measure brake performance and balance, wheel alignment and suspension results, in less than one minute, with a printed report for peace of mind. Book your brakes in today.