Your brakes are overheating if they smell hot. They may also squeal each time you press down on the brake pedal. MD Auto Repair warns that driving an automobile with overheating brakes is a very dangerous thing to do. When the brakes get too hot, they will fail. Overheating brakes is just one sign that your brake system needs to be serviced or repaired. Here are the other signs of brake trouble.
DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT
If your vehicle is equipped with an antilock brake system, you will have a dashboard warning light in the letters ABS. You also have a Brake light on the dashboard that turns on when you set the parking brake. These lights will illuminate if your brake system is having problems.
LEAKING BROWN/RED FLUID
A problematic brake system might start to leak. It may leak brake fluid out of the master cylinder or the brake hoses. Brake fluid is usually light brown but some brands are red. If you see spots of either color behind your wheels, you have a brake system leak that needs immediate attention.
PULLING TO ONE SIDE
Your vehicle might also pull to the right or left when you apply the brakes if one of the calipers is stuck. Generally, the direction in which your automobile pulls is the wheel that has the stuck caliper. Road grime can build up on the calipers and make them stick.
SQUEALING/GRINDING NOISES
Your brake system is also having problems if you hear strange noises when you apply the brakes. As we mentioned above, if the brakes squeal, they could be overheating. They may also squeal if the brake pad surfaces have worn down to the wear indicators.
If the brake pad surfaces have worn away completely, your brakes will grind when you use them. Some people also described this sound as a scraping sound. Either way, worn brake pads make it more difficult to slow down and stop your automobile.
SQUISHY/SINKING BRAKE PEDAL
A squishy or sinking brake pedal is often caused by air in the brake lines. This being said, the pedal will also fail to give your foot resistance if the master cylinder is going bad. Obviously, an unresponsive pedal will prevent your vehicle from stopping.
WOBBLING/VIBRATION/SHAKING
Finally, any type of wobbling, vibration, or shaking when you apply the brakes points to a problem with the brake system. For example, your vehicle might shake if the brake pad surfaces are worn out. It might also vibrate if the rotor surfaces are warped.
Call MD Auto Repair in Kansas City, MO, today for a service appointment for your vehicle’s brake system. We will inspect the system and repair it if necessary.
