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Obviously, your brakes are important. You can’t drive your car without them, and it’s unsafe to drive when they are performing poorly. Taking care of your brakes should be high on your list of auto maintenance priorities. But how do you know when it’s time to replace your brakes? In this blog post from Clem Tire Co. in Alabama, you will learn what to look for when your brakes need replacing.

Visual Inspection

You can get a good idea of how much brake pad you have left by visually inspecting them through the spokes of your wheels. Find the outside pad pressed against the metal rotor. Ideally, there should be at least ¼” of pad remaining. If you think there is less than ¼” of pad on your brakes, you should have your brake pads inspected by a professional.

Listen

If you hear a high-pitched screeching sound while applying the brakes, take your car to the shop right away. Your brake pads are made with small metal hairs in the last bit of pad which will alert you when your brake pads are getting too low. The metal hairs scratch against the metal rotor and produce the unpleasant noise, which you may not be able to hear over the radio.

You may even hear or feel a grinding noise, which means your brake pads have completely worn down. This is bad news, because it can damage your rotors, which are much more expensive to replace than just brake pads. If you feel or hear a grinding noise when you apply your brakes, head straight to a repair shop.

Decreased Performance

If you find yourself needing to apply more pressure for the same stopping power, it may be a sign your brakes need replacing or that you have a brake fluid leak. If you suspect your brakes are underperforming, bring your car to a shop for a quick inspection before something more serious happens.

Don’t let your brakes go without service! If you suspect it’s time for a brake service, call or stop by Clem Tire Co. today.

 

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