As automotive technology advances, we’ve seen the introduction of various safety features, from ABS and traction control to lane warnings and autonomous driving systems. However, it’s essential not to overlook the fundamental and most critical safety component of all: your brakes.
Your car’s braking system plays a vital role in ensuring safe driving. It enables you to reduce your vehicle’s speed, navigate the road more effectively, and come to a complete stop to avoid potential hazards. A vehicle with worn-out or faulty brakes is more susceptible to accidents than one with properly functioning brakes.
That’s why it’s essential to prioritize brake system preventive maintenance. Familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of brake systems, learn how to maintain them, and be able to identify the common warning signs of brake problems.
If your brake system needs servicing, repairs, or replacement, schedule a brake service to keep your vehicle safe and road-worthy.
Braking System Basics
The braking system on a typical car or light truck has four elements. Each works with the others to provide your vehicle with a complete braking system.
- Brake pads, discs, and calipers. Modern brakes, also called disc brakes, use one or two brake calipers and a disc or rotor in each wheel. When pressing on the brake pedal, the calipers squeeze the disc and apply friction, which slows down the vehicle axle and the vehicle’s speed.
- Brake fluid, master cylinder, and lines. Your car’s braking system requires brake fluid to function correctly. Brake fluid is contained inside the brake master cylinder.
When you hit the brake pedal, the master cylinder sends brake fluid through the lines to the calipers. The fluid applies pressure to the calipers, pressing them against the brake discs and creating the braking power that slows your car down. - Parking brake. The parking brake, also known as the emergency brake or handbrake, is a secondary braking mechanism that functions independently of your pedal brake. It can use either a mechanical system or electric motors to apply force to the calipers or the discs.
When engaged and working correctly, parking brakes keep your vehicle stationary after parking it. Modern parking brakes may feature extra enhancements such as automatic engagement or disengagement and hill detection. - Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Most vehicles produced since the late 1980s offer ABS as an additional element of your braking system. ABS is an electronic system that can detect whether your wheels are about to lock up due to hard or excessive braking. Without ABS, hard braking can cause wheel lockup, preventing you from turning the steering wheel and locking your vehicle in a straight line.
When braking, ABS automatically modulates braking pressure, ensuring the vehicle decelerates while preventing or minimizing wheel lockup. ABS allows you to react to potential dangers and turn the car even while the vehicle decelerates.
Common Signs of Brake System Issues
Brake systems are complex and made up of numerous components. Identifying the signs is crucial when parts are worn, damaged, or malfunctioning. Below, we outline the most common indicators of issues within the braking system, along with the specific types of brake problems each sign may suggest.
- Dashboard warning lights. The clearest indication of a potential brake problem in your car is when the dashboard alerts you with a Brake Warning light. On more modern vehicles, your dashboard may also have separate warning lights for ABS issues and parking brake lights (represented by the letter P in a circle).
Some cars may also have two differently colored brake warning lights: yellow and red. Yellow indicates minor issues, such as an ABS problem, that should be addressed soon. Red means a major brake problem that requires immediate addressing, such as low brake fluid. - High-pitched noises. Hearing a squealing, squeaking, grinding, or any high-pitched noise when you press the brake pedal is a clear indicator of brake wear. These sounds typically result from worn-out brake pads. If these noises occur during braking, schedule a brake pad replacement service as soon as possible.
Brake pads are engineered to emit noticeable and unpleasant squeaking or squealing noises once they wear down to a specific threshold, called the wear indicator. This feature alerts the driver that one or more brake pads are approaching the end of their lifespan.
If the sounds are noticeably metallic and grinding, your brake pads have deteriorated further, causing potential damage to your rotors. Stop driving as soon as possible and schedule brake services and repairs before your braking system becomes unsafe. - Brake fluid leaks. Unexpected fluid accumulation near one of your wheels can indicate a brake fluid leak. They can be caused by a faulty master cylinder, leaking brake calipers, or worn-out brake fluid lines and connections. You can recognize brake fluid by its color; clean fluid is usually clear or light yellow, whereas older and worn-out fluid is brown or black.
Low brake fluid levels can be dangerous. The less brake fluid you have, the less powerful your brakes are. If you notice a leak and suspect it may be brake fluid, schedule braking system repairs as soon as possible. - Spongy or unresponsive brake pedal. The pedal should feel firm, responsive, and stiffer than the gas or clutch when driving a car with good brakes and proper brake system maintenance.
If your brake pedal feels spongy and soft or can go to the floor without resistance, your brake system may have a severe issue. Unusual brake pedal behavior can indicate a malfunctioning master cylinder, overly worn brake fluid, or low brake fluid levels. Stop driving the vehicle and schedule a brake system inspection with a trusted mechanic immediately. - Burning smell. If you detect a burning scent from your car while driving, check to see where it’s coming from. A burning odor from your engine bay may not necessarily indicate a braking issue. However, if the smell comes from your wheels, the cause is most likely overheated brakes.
Brakes can overheat in two instances: after repeated or excessive hard braking or due to a malfunctioning part, such as a stuck caliper or a misaligned rotor. In the former case, you may be able to let your brakes cool down simply by waiting for 30 minutes or more. Otherwise, contact a mechanic for a brake check-up as soon as possible, as your brakes may be unsafe to drive on. - Car pulling to one side when braking. If your vehicle veers to the left or right during braking, it could signal various potential problems within your brake system. A common cause could be asymmetrical wear of the brakes on the side your car is drawn towards. For instance, a misaligned or excessively worn brake pad on the left may lead to your vehicle pulling to that side when you apply the brakes.
Other possible causes include worn brake rotors, a brake line issue affecting only one side of the car, or a non-braking system issue, such as a suspension or steering problem. Contact a trusted mechanic to diagnose the issue accurately and determine the repairs or part replacements needed.
How to Conduct Brake System Preventive Maintenance
Although a car’s braking system is complex, car brake maintenance doesn’t have to be. Following the proper maintenance steps can help you prevent or reduce the risk of experiencing braking system issues and extend your brakes’ lifespan.
- Listen to your car while driving. Pay attention to noises, vibrations, and odors, especially while braking. They can help you detect potential brake issues long before they make your car unsafe. Test your brake pedal in a safe environment and ensure it remains stiff and responsive. Lastly, ensure the brake taillights function correctly when pressing the brake pedal.
- Keep your tires in good condition. One of the first steps of brake system preventive maintenance is ensuring your tires are road-worthy. Check for signs of damage, excessive tire tread wear, punctures, or air leaks. Worn or uneven tires can cause you to brake harder and less efficiently to compensate for their decreased performance. They can accelerate your brakes’ wear and tear.
- Inspect your brakes. Look behind your rims and visually check the condition of your brakes on all four wheels. Regular inspections can help visualize wear and tear as it gradually accumulates. Check for signs of uneven or excessive wear on the pads, calipers, and rotors.
- Inspect the brake master cylinder. You can find the brake master cylinder in your engine bay, typically near the firewall dividing the cabin and the engine compartment, on the driver’s side. It is recognizable by its cylindrical shape and reservoir of brake fluid mounted on top of it. Check for leaks, signs of low brake fluid levels, and other issues, such as rust or corrosion.
- Check your brake fluid levels and color. Inspect the reservoir above the master cylinder. If your brake fluids are low, top it up with the type recommended by your manufacturer for your car’s make and model, such as DOT 3, DOT 4, or DOT 5.1. If your brake fluid appears dark brown or black or is visibly dirty, schedule a brake fluid bleeding and replacement service with a local mechanic.
- Inspect brake lines and hoses. Ensure all cables and hoses connected to the master cylinder are in good condition and not leaking fluids. If you find cuts, cracks, bulges, tears, or punctures, don’t try to fix or patch them up yourself. DIY repairs may not provide sufficient pressure inside the brake fluid lines, resulting in further braking issues. Instead, schedule brake line servicing with a local mechanic.
Call Professionals to Handle Your Brake System Repairs
Although you can conduct many brake system preventive maintenance steps on your own, major issues with your car’s brakes often require the attention of a professional.
If your vehicle has a braking system issue near Jackson, MI, or the Lansing area, don’t delay; call the Hometown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram service department. We offer complete brake repairs and services, including brake pad replacements, brake fluid bleeding and replacement services, and a comprehensive diagnosis of your braking system.
Contact our team today to schedule brake servicing and make your car safe to drive again.
