Common Brake Problems & What They Mean For Your Vehicle

The brakes are the most important safety feature on every vehicle and it is essential to keep them in excellent condition! If you’ve noticed some abnormalities or problems with your brakes, the best & safest course of action is to bring your vehicle to a mechanic to have them looked at. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common brake problem symptoms and what they mean for your vehicle!

Squeaking Brakes 

While some slight squeaking does not always indicate a problem with brakes, it could mean that your brake pads need to be replaced. If you notice a squeaking sound every time you step on your brake pedal, it’s likely being caused by the metal wear indicator rubbing up against the brake rotors. When this happens, it means that your brake pads are almost used up and it’s time to have them replaced. Replacing your brake pads is typically not an overly expensive maintenance service, as it will usually run you a couple hundred dollars. 

Pulsating Brake Pedal 

If you experience pulsations in your brake pedal causing your vehicle to shake, it can be a sign of an issue with the brake rotors. The brake system functions by the caliper pressing against the brake rotors, creating friction that slows the car. However, over time, the brake rotors can become warped or damaged from debris or deposits of brake material. This can cause the brake pads to vibrate and shake the entire car when pressed against the damaged rotors. If you’re experiencing a pulsating brake pedal, you'll either need to have your existing brake rotors resurfaced or you’ll need to replace the brake rotors altogether.

ABS Light On Dashboard 

If your ABS (Anti-lock braking system) light is turned on in your car's dashboard, it means that your ABS isn’t working properly. The anti-lock braking system’s purpose is to prevent the wheels from locking up during an emergency braking situation by rapidly pulsing the brakes on and off when you suddenly slam on the brake pedal. For this reason, the ABS light on your dashboard won’t affect you during normal driving situations but could put you at risk if you need to stop suddenly. If your ABS light is on, you should bring your vehicle to an experienced mechanic to have it fixed as soon as possible!

Brake Pedal Sinking To The Floor

If you’ve noticed that your brake pedal is sinking all the way to the floor whenever you step on it, your vehicle is most likely leaking brake fluid. Brake fluid is the part of the braking system that translates the force of pressing the pedal into force on the vehicle's brakes, allowing the vehicle to slow down. The brake fluid leak typically comes from either calipers, brake lines, or the brake master cylinder. If you have noticed that your brake pedal is sinking to the floor, you should bring your vehicle to a mechanic with experience working on your vehicle’s make/model as soon as possible!

Contact German AutoSport!

If you have any questions about brake repair or any other vehicle maintenance services, contact German AutoSport! Located in Amesbury, we provide the Northeastern Massachusetts region with vehicle maintenance services for almost all makes! Contact us today by calling us at (978) 388-1288 or by filling out the contact form on our website!