5 Signs Your Brakes Need Servicing Immediately

Keeping your brakes well maintained is vital to your safety whilst on the road. Like most things in your car, brakes do deteriorate over time as they get used more and more. So, it’s really important to keep an eye out for any signs that your brakes might need a bit of TLC.

With lots of components like pads, discs, callipers, and fluid, brakes can seem like complicated elements of your car, with potentially a lot to go wrong. Check out our list below for some of the most common problems people face with their brakes — all key indicators that it’s time to get them serviced to keep your car running as smoothly as possible.

1. Squeaky brakes

There are a few reasons why your brakes could be squeaking. Some are minor but others require attention. Poor weather conditions can make your brakes squeak too, with moisture forming a layer of rust on your rotors. Parking in a garage can help avoid this issue.

Brakes squeaking can also occur if you’re carrying a heavy load due to the extra weight applying pressure onto the brakes — but this should go away after you’ve emptied your boot.

Embedded dirt can also cause brakes to make a squeaking sound. If they’re still squeaking bearing the above in mind, carry out a visual inspection for any wear and tear or debris, giving them a good clean and lubricating the shims and calliper pins. If the squeaking still persists, it would be a good call to get them checked by an expert.

2. Grinding noises

Grinding noises when you brake are a clear sign that you should get your brakes serviced. It’s not just an unpleasant sound, but can also cause further damage to your vehicle. These sorts of noises usually indicate that the pads are excessively worn, revealing the metal backing, which allows your rotors to grind against them when you brake, potentially damaging them.

Of course, prevention is better than cure, so we’d always recommend getting an annual service to catch and fix potential issues before they can turn into major problems.

3. Brake pulsation

If your brakes or driving wheel feel like they shake or surge, you could have brake pulsation; this is mainly caused by warped or unbalanced rotors. Regular maintenance and cleaning of your brakes should nip this problem in the bud before it becomes an issue.

If you find yourself having brake pulsation, though, it’s important to get it looked at, as the efficiency of your brakes will be compromised, which affects the safety of your vehicle. You can help protect your brakes by using the right braking habits, like applying the brakes early and gently, or engine braking to save wear on the brakes themselves.

4. Pulling to one side

There can be many issues that cause your car to pull to one side when you apply your brakes. If you find your vehicle doing this, you should be extra mindful, as it can easily affect your driving negatively. Getting them serviced as soon as possible is important to fix the problem and ensure your car is safe to drive.

Pulling can be caused by uneven brake pad wear, allowing the brake on one side to grab more strongly. Pulling can also result from having a stuck calliper or even if one brake has debris on it, stopping it from braking as efficiently. If you’re unsure, it’s best to get an expert to check and advise on how best to get your car back to driving as well as it should be.

5. Spongy brakes

Brakes that feel spongy or soft when you use them can be a major concern, preventing you from stopping as quickly as you’d like. It’s vital that you fix this as soon as possible in order to drive your vehicle as safely as possible.

Luckily, the most common cause of spongy brakes is having air in the brake lines, which is relatively easy to fix. The extra air in the system prevents the fluid in the brakes from flowing properly when you depress the brake pedal. So, to fix this, the brakes are bled to allow the extra air to escape, returning them to full capacity. Another common issue causing spongy brakes is often a brake fluid leak. This requires a slightly more involved fix as the brake lines and reservoir have to be inspected to find and fix the problem area.

Brakes are a vital element of your car to maintain in order to continue driving efficiently and safely, for you, your passengers, and other road users. If any of the above issues apply to the brakes on your car, or if you’re unsure about anything car-related, contact your local Tyre Pros centre today.

Keep your brakes in top condition

At Tyre Pros, we are proud to deliver honest, ‘on the road’ pricing, alongside friendly customer service and expert advice. To find out more about the brake inspection and repair services that we offer or how we can help, visit our services page, stay up to date with our blog, or pop into your local Tyre Pros centre.