The brake system is leaking if there is brown or red fluid around your tires. Specifically, the brake hoses are leaking. Also called the brake lines, these hoses can start to leak when they wear out and crack. To make sure this never happens, bring your vehicle to our shop every 12,000 miles for a brake inspection. Leaking brake lines are just one sign of brake problems. Here are other signs.
Burning Odors
Burning odors coming from the brakes are assigned that the brakes are overheating. The excess heat can prevent you from stopping your automobile, so proceed with extreme caution. Aside from the hot odors, your brakes will also start to squeal if they are overheating.
Dashboard Lights
Your vehicle is equipped with dashboard warning lights that the engine control module turns on if there is a problem. In the case of the brake system, you have the ABS light and the Brake light. If either of these turn on while you are driving your automobile, there’s a problem with the brake system.
Pulling/Veering
Pulling or veering to the side when you apply the brakes can be an indication that one of the calipers is stuck. This can happen if the calipers get too old. Generally, the calipers should be changed every 75,000 miles to ensure they never stick.
Shaking/Vibration
Your vehicle may also shake or vibrate if there is road debris stuck in the calipers. In addition to this problem, the vehicle may shake or vibrate if the rotor surfaces need to be recut because they are warped. This shaking and vibration will only occur when you apply the brakes.
Soft Brake Pedal
We explained above that the brake lines can leak. They can also get air in them which will decrease the amount of resistance the brake pedal gives you. The brake pedal will sink when you hit a pocket of air in the brake lines. This is why it is crucial to have the lines bled when the brakes are serviced.
Strange Noises
Finally, the brake system can start to make strange noises if it needs to be serviced or repaired. We mentioned above that it will when the brakes are overheating. The brakes may also squeal if the brake pads need to be changed.
Call us today to schedule an appointment for your automobile if it has been more than 12,000 miles since you have had the brakes inspected. We will make sure you can rely on them every time you use them.
