5 signs you should have your car brakes checked

Your car's brakes are one of the most important parts of the vehicle helping to keep you safe on the roads. Whether it's stopping at a red light; slowing down in wet weather; or a need to stop suddenly, your brakes are responsible for helping you to do so.

So, can you remember the last time you had the brakes on your vehicle checked? If you can't remember and/ or you're experiencing any of the following with your vehicle, it is time to have your car checked for any issues:

𝟭. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 Warning lights should be taken seriously when they appear. This means that you should arrange to have your car inspected by a qualified mechanic.

𝟮. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝗶𝘀𝘆 If your brakes are making any of the following noises, call your mechanic to discuss the sounds and understand whether your brakes need to be inspected as soon as possible:

• squealing

• squeaking

• grinding

• scraping noises

𝟯. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 Any changes to the way your brake pedal feels when using it can be a sign that your brakes need to be looked at with priority. This can include (but not limited to):

• feeling soft,

• spongey,

• sinking,

• too sensitive,

• too firm,

• vibrations,

• shaking,

• shuddering

• taking longer than normal to stop.

These can be signs of major brake issues and should be looked over by a technician.

𝟰. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 If you notice your car is pulling/ steering to one side or swerving when using your brakes, it would be best to have a technician inspect your brakes and tyres to diagnose the cause.

𝟱. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗶𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 Any signs of leaking brake fluid (a light yellow to brownish fluid near the wheels of your car) should be addressed with urgency, as this will affect your vehicle’s ability to stop as quickly as it should.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms on your vehicle, please be sure to speak to a qualified mechanic as brake issues should not be taken lightly.

To have one of our LV Technicians at IronPort Mechanical take a look at any concerns with your brakes, give us a call on (08) 9172 3396.