Five Early Warning Signs You Need New Brakes

It's a new year, which unfortunately means your car is officially one model year older and needier. Thankfully, by staying diligent for warning signs or other signals your vehicle sends you, you can get ahead of any costly maintenance your vehicle stands to inherit this year. Recognizing these signs and moving quickly to address them can greatly extend your vehicle's lifespan. 

First up: determining if you'll need new brakes in 2024. Courtesy of Bakersfield Chrysler Jeep, here are five early warning signs that might be indicating it's time to change your brakes: 

High-Pitched Screeching 

Often, you hear brake problems before you see or feel them. That's most likely thanks to the high-pitched screeching sound that emits when your brake pads are getting thin. Interestingly, the screeching isn't a direct result of wearing brakes, but of a piece of metal intentionally built into the brake pads by the manufacturer to alert you when brake pad replacement is needed. 

If the grating sounds continue despite new brake pads, there's a chance that your rotors may be glazed. This occurs when metal heats up and burns due to excessive braking. Check your rotors for blue marks for a dark ring; either could indicate that the rotors also need replacement. 

If the squealing is replaced by a heavy, metallic, grinding noise, that means your brake pads have completely worn down past the point where replacing them is possible. Take it to be serviced at once if this sound emerges, as it could lead to larger safety issues. 

The Eye Test 

Sometimes it's easier not to overthink things. If your brake pads look like they have a problem, they likely do. You can find them wedged between the wheels' spokes, pressed up against the rotors. Measure the pads, and if you find they're less than a quarter of an inch thick, it may be time to schedule your service with us at Bakersfield. 

Performance Anomalies 

When your brakes stop responding as quickly as they should, it may be a sign of a leak in your braking system. If your brakes are sending out vibrations, causing the car and steering wheel to shake, either the brake pads or rotors need replacing. 

Your brakes are always sending messages like these to alert you to their condition. The more in tune you are with your vehicle, the better you'll get at assessing when and why your vehicle is performing abnormally. 

Extreme Sensitivity 

You might start your vehicle today to find your brakes unusually sensitive, jerking you to a halt at the slightest tap of the brake pad. This is due to either the rotors wearing down unevenly or the brake fluid needs replacement. 

Conversely, you have a problem when your brakes prove too insensitive and only engage when you apply excess pressure. This could be a symptom of low brake fluid, thin brake pads, or even a sign that something is amiss with your car's hydraulic system.  

Puddle of Doom 

The last thing you want to see on a bright, sunny day is a puddle formed beneath your idle car. Unless it's residue from a forgotten overnight storm, it's most likely your brake fluid dripping out of your car after a leak. You should be able to tell the difference between regular motor oil and brake fluid, which is notably thinner. 

Catch a Break at Bakersfield 

Life may be full of stops and go's... but you should always be as in control of them as possible. Don't leave your fate to the whims of faulty brake pads or rotors. Visit us at Bakersfield Chrysler Jeep today, where we never put the brakes on a good deal. With our inventory of new and used vehicles at your disposal, you're sure to find the car or SUV that pulls out all the stops.