Part of the fun of a European car is hearing the engine purr and experiencing the handling as you drive along. But without functioning brakes, that’s not a great idea. Jackson Auto Repair wants you to be able to recognize when your European car needs new brakes.
Your Brakes Are Making Some Pretty Bad Sounds
When you try to brake, you shouldn’t be hearing many sounds, so if you’re suddenly hearing squeals and grinding sounds that’s something you need to pay attention to. Some brake pad manufacturers include wear tabs in their brake pads to let you know when it’s time to get your brake pads changed. The intensity of the sound can help you to understand how urgent the situation is.
You’re Feeling Vibrations When You Brake
Something else that you need to be aware of is that vibrations when you apply the brakes are not normal or good. Wobbling or vibrations mean that it’s more difficult to stop as well. You might be up against a couple of issues, like a broken or stuck caliper or warped rotors.
Your Brake Pedal Doesn’t Feel Right
Every car has a different feel to both the gas and the brake pedals. If you’re noticing any changes in how the brake pedal feels, don’t ignore that. Small issues with your brake pedal can indicate that something has just changed with the brakes. If the brake pedal sinks lower than usual before it seems to catch or sinks to the floor of the car, you’ve got a bigger problem with the brakes.
There’s a Brake Fluid Leak
Any type of fluid leak is bad, but brake fluid in particular can be dangerous when it’s leaking. That’s because your brake lines don’t have the hydraulic pressure that they need in order to fully stop your car safely. When you notice a brown, greasy fluid near or around your wheels, that could be an indication that you don’t have enough brake fluid and that there’s a leak somewhere in the brake system.
There’s a Brake Warning Light on the Dashboard
One of the biggest indications that you can’t ignore your brake issues is that you’ve got a brake warning light showing on the dashboard. This is especially important if you’ve been experiencing any of the signs above. Double check that the parking brake isn’t engaged, and then make sure that you have your brakes inspected right away.
If the brakes in your European car don’t feel right or are definitely failing, give us a call at Jackson Auto Repair in Jackson, TN. We can set up a time to fully inspect your brake system and determine what the best solution is.