How to Tell if Your Brakes Are Bad
Brake failure is scary. Even thinking about it can make many people tense up. When your brakes fail, you and anyone around you are in danger. How can you tell your brakes are having issues before they fail?
Here are some tips from us at Cadillac of Jackson. We want to make sure all of our Cadillac owners in Mississippi are safe and know the signs of bad brakes.
How to Know if Your Brakes Have Gone Bad
Any or all of these symptoms of bad brakes mean it's time to get your brakes looked at:
Any of these signs of bad brakes mean you should get your brakes checked immediately.
Is Replacing Your Own Brakes Dangerous?
DIY is always tempting. It is possible to replace brake pads yourself if you are reasonably savvy and have a jack.
Always use the materials your manufacturer recommends if you decide to do this.
However, not all brake problems are as simple as needing new pads. If this is your first time doing it, you can end up not properly adjusting the calipers, meaning your brakes are less reliable.
Other problems with your car could cause some of the signs we've mentioned and could need more than just a brake replacement.
For example, while your car is pulling to one side when braking is most often an issue with your brakes, typically uneven brake wear, brake caliper issues, or contamination in brake fluid, a variety of other problems can also cause it. These include improper wheel alignment, uneven or incorrect tire pressure, damaged wheel bearings, or something worse, such as a problem with your steering or suspension.
Replacing your brake pads will not help if your brakes are not causing the problem.
When you have a brake problem, the safest course of action is to come to Cadillac of Jackson and have us inspect your brakes, where our experienced technicians will also look for other issues.
We can then do any necessary repairs and get you safely back on the road.
Schedule Service with Your Cadillac Today
Regular service and maintenance can reduce the risk of your brakes failing. We can inspect your brakes and spot issues before you start to have a brake problem. And we will make any needed repairs with genuine, original parts.
Contact us to schedule your brake inspection today.
Image Source: Setta Sornnoi/Shutterstock
Here are some tips from us at Cadillac of Jackson. We want to make sure all of our Cadillac owners in Mississippi are safe and know the signs of bad brakes.
How to Know if Your Brakes Have Gone Bad
Any or all of these symptoms of bad brakes mean it's time to get your brakes looked at:
- Brake warning lights. If the Brake System Warning Light comes on, you have a brake problem. If this light comes on, pull over as soon as you can, turn the ignition off and restart the engine. If it still stays on, bring the vehicle in ASAP.
- Odd noises are coming from your brakes. This can mean you have a foreign object between your rotors or pads, but it can also mean your brake pads are worn. Squealing, squeaking, or grinding noises can all indicate an issue.
- Shaking or vibrating when you apply the brakes. This often indicates that the brake rotors are uneven.
- The brake pedal feels soft or goes all the way to the floorboard. This might be a problem with the master cylinder.
- The car pulls to one side when braking. This symptom of bad brakes can also mean a number of other issues.
- You smell burning from your wheels. This means overheated brakes or clutch.
- Fluid on the garage or driveway right behind one of your wheels. This could be brake fluid and if your car doesn't have enough of it, the brakes won't work as well.
- You notice your car does not stop as quickly as you are used to, or the brakes respond much faster. Either of these can indicate an issue.
Any of these signs of bad brakes mean you should get your brakes checked immediately.
Is Replacing Your Own Brakes Dangerous?
DIY is always tempting. It is possible to replace brake pads yourself if you are reasonably savvy and have a jack.
Always use the materials your manufacturer recommends if you decide to do this.
However, not all brake problems are as simple as needing new pads. If this is your first time doing it, you can end up not properly adjusting the calipers, meaning your brakes are less reliable.
Other problems with your car could cause some of the signs we've mentioned and could need more than just a brake replacement.
For example, while your car is pulling to one side when braking is most often an issue with your brakes, typically uneven brake wear, brake caliper issues, or contamination in brake fluid, a variety of other problems can also cause it. These include improper wheel alignment, uneven or incorrect tire pressure, damaged wheel bearings, or something worse, such as a problem with your steering or suspension.
Replacing your brake pads will not help if your brakes are not causing the problem.
When you have a brake problem, the safest course of action is to come to Cadillac of Jackson and have us inspect your brakes, where our experienced technicians will also look for other issues.
We can then do any necessary repairs and get you safely back on the road.
Schedule Service with Your Cadillac Today
Regular service and maintenance can reduce the risk of your brakes failing. We can inspect your brakes and spot issues before you start to have a brake problem. And we will make any needed repairs with genuine, original parts.
Contact us to schedule your brake inspection today.
Image Source: Setta Sornnoi/Shutterstock
