Of all the components in your vehicle, few can have a larger impact on your overall safety than your brakes. It’s recommended that you have your brakes, brake shoes and brake pads inspected at your local Signature Tire every 24,000 km or every 12 months. This can help ensure that any worn components can be spotted and corrected before they lead you down a road toward costlier repairs and dangerous driving. If you’ve been noticing that your brake pedal feels low, or that they are squealing, grinding, dragging, or pulling your vehicle to one side, stop into the nearest Signature Tire and speak with one of our service representatives today!
How Do You Know if it’s Time to Service Your Brakes, Brake Shoes and Pads?
For those who aren’t entirely certain if they need to have their brakes checked, we’ve compiled a list of indications that mean it’s time for a trip to the shop:
- Warning Lights – Your “BRAKE”, “ABS”, and “ANTILOCK” warning lights briefly flash when you turn on your car. This is normal, it’s when they stay on or continue to flash that there may be a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
- Noises – If you’re noticing a squealing noise when you pump your brakes, this can be a sign that your brake pads have worn down to their indicators. Further to this, if you’re noticing a grinding sound, this can indicate that your brake pads have worn down to their backings and are coming into contact with your rotors.
- Performance – Many people have described their brakes as feeling “spongy.” What this probably means in that there is air entering your vehicle’s brake system. If you find that your vehicle is pulling to the side, your brakes may have a calliper problem, or they simply may not be properly balanced.
- Low Brake Fluids – If your brake fluids are dropping, this can be a symptom of having disc brakes that are wearing. If you’re frequently topping up your brake fluid, you may have a leak in your hydraulic system which will need to be addressed immediately by a qualified technician.
- Pedal Sensation – If you find that your pedal is pulsating, this can indicate that your rotors are out of round. If you find your pedal is lower than normal, you may need to adjust your rear brakes.
It’s always smart to take the better safe than sorry approach when dealing with your vehicle, so if you find yourself experiencing any of these problems, stop into your local Signature Tire today. Not only will we address your issues, we’ll also check your brake fluid to make sure it hasn’t broken down over time.
Ignoring your brake problems won’t make them go away, and not addressing them can only lead to costlier repairs down the road. To make sure your brakes are ready for the open road, head over to your local Signature Tire.
