Do You Need Brake Repairs? 5 Warning Signs

Brakes are one of the most important components of any vehicle. In an emergency situation, responsive brakes could make the difference between life and death for you and anyone else in your car. Because we rely on brakes to stop so frequently, they’re one of a vehicle’s components that get worn out the most quickly.

 

To avoid a situation where your brakes fail when you need them most, you should have them inspected at least once per year.

However, if certain warning signs appear, you might need to immediately bring your car into a reputable auto repair shop in Minnesota. Here are some common signs that your brakes need to be repaired.

5 Signs That You Need Brake Repair Services

  1. Grinding or Squealing Noises – When brakes get worn down, you might hear the problem before you feel it. If you hear squealing noises when you put your foot down on the brake pedal, this means that your brake pads should be replaced in the near future. If you hear a grinding noise while braking, this could be indicative of several more serious issues. Commonly, brake grinding is caused when the brake disc and the caliper scrape together. Don’t procrastinate if you’re hearing grinding noises when you brake; bring your car to a Minneapolis auto repair shop for immediate repairs.
  2. Shaking While Braking – If your vehicle shakes violently when you apply the brakes, this is a sign that your brake rotors have been warped out of shape and begun grinding against your brake pads. Brake rotors will be worn down over time and may accumulate rust, which can deface them and cause the grinding that you feel. To stop the shaking, have a mechanic repair your brake rotors. Remember that every 80,000 miles, your brake rotors should be replaced with new ones.
  3. Brake Light Comes On – The dashboard of every car features a brake warning light that will illuminate when your vehicle detects an issue with your brakes. This light will usually be either red or yellow and it may say “BRAKE” or “ABS,” or it may simply have a “!” in the middle. When this light comes on, you should book an appointment at a trusted auto repair shop in Minnesota to have your brakes inspected and repaired.
  4. Brake Fluid Leaking – When you find a pool of liquid, ranging from yellow to brown in color, beneath your car, this is a sign that your brake fluid is leaking. Brake fluid is necessary to allow a driver to apply pressure to the brakes and stop their car. If fluid levels are too low, your brakes can cease to function properly and your car can become dangerous to drive. Before this happens, bring your vehicle to a brake mechanic who can identify and fix the source of the leak, as well as topping off your fluid.
  5. Stench of Burning – It’s never a good thing when you smell a strong, bad odor when you’re driving. The causes may vary but if the smell hits you right when you’re braking, it’s probably the result of overheating brakes. If your brakes continually overheat when being applied, brake failure is likely to result in the near future. Make sure to schedule service on your car before this happens!

 

The #1 Brake Repair Shop in Minnesota

Brakes are a crucial safety feature of your car, and you need to be able to rely on their peak performance in many different circumstances. Connect with Arvu Auto today for the most reliable brake repair services in the West Minneapolis area!

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