If there’s one car care task you should never neglect, it’s maintaining your brakes. Keeping up with brake repairs isn’t just about maintaining your car and keeping it in good condition. It’s also about keeping you and your family safe when you’re on the road. But how do you know when you need brake repairs?
Wear and Tear
It’s not your fault if your brakes need repairing. Your car sees a lot of regular wear and tear. With time and regular use, tires, brakes, windshield wipers, and even batteries eventually need a little help. How often you’ll need brake repairs depends on how much you drive your car and driving conditions. While you may not need brake repairs often if you don’t slam the brakes and you haven’t put a lot of miles on them, you should still plan to get your brakes checked about once a year.
Warning Signs
In between appointments with a trusted mechanic, there are also warning signs you can watch out for so that you’ll know right away if brake repairs need to happen sooner rather than later.
- Warning lights: The signals on your dashboard are there for a reason! If you see a brake warning light when you start your car, don’t ignore it. Try to get an appointment with a mechanic to resolve the issue, however small it may turn out to be, so you’re sure to be safe on the road.
- Soft, squishy brakes: Your brakes should feel firm when you press them. If your brakes are sinking to the floor before starting to stop the vehicle or if you’re having to leave more and more braking distance, you may need brake repairs or replacement in the near future.
- Squeaking sounds: Brake repairs may also be needed if you have noisy, screeching brakes. This is a clear warning sign your brakes are getting thin and won’t give you as much of a secure stop.