One of the most important parts of your car might just be the brakes because if you can’t stop, then going anywhere is a bad idea. Gulf Breeze Automotive has these tips for you about possible brake issues.
Vibration During Braking
As you apply the brakes, you shouldn’t feel any vibration. You should find that the car smoothly starts to slow down and stop, depending on how hard you’ve pressed the brake pedal. The only exception would be if you stomped on the brakes, and that would lead to a sudden and jerky stop. Vibration means that there’s likely an issue with the rotor or how the brake pad is contacting the rotor.
Pulling During Braking
If you start to brake and feel your car pull, that’s also a sign of brake trouble. Unless you’re turning the wheel yourself, the car should stay on a straight path. You can have several different issues at this point ranging from a stuck or damaged caliper to a problem with the brake lines on that side of the car.
A Squishy Brake Pedal
When you press the brake pedal it should feel fairly firm under your foot. If the brake pedal ever feels like you’re stepping on something squishy or soft, that’s a sign that something has changed in your brake system. The usual culprit is a brake fluid leak, but there can be other issues, too. Squishy brakes are bad enough, but if the pedal ever goes straight to the floorboard you may not have any brakes at all and it’s time to rely on the emergency brake and stop the car immediately.
Overheated Brakes
Brakes are another system in your car that can overheat way too easily. When brakes get too hot, you’ll smell a combination of chemicals and burnt rubber. You might even see smoke rising from the brakes when you come to a stop. If your brakes are overheating, you shouldn’t drive the car.
Brake Fluid Leaks
If you’re seeing brake fluid at all, that’s a very bad sign. Brake fluid is what flows through the brake lines to each wheel, applying hydraulic pressure when you press on the brake pedal. Without that fluid, you have no braking power. Puddles of brake fluid mean that there’s a big issue somewhere.
Gulf Breeze Automotive in Gulf Breeze, FL is happy to help you to troubleshoot any issues you’re having with your brakes. We can find the exact issue and get it corrected for you right away.