One thing about car ownership you may not like to think about is keeping up with maintenance and automotive repair. It adds to the cost of owning a car, but you have to keep your car serviced if you want to avoid a breakdown on the road. One of the repairs you can't put off is having the brake pads replaced. Your car is dangerous to drive if the brake pads are worn out. If you take your car for regular service, your mechanic will let you know when the pads look worn. If you haven't taken your car to the shop for a long time, you should stay alert to these signs of brake trouble.

Squealing Noise When You Apply The Brakes

If you notice a squealing or screeching sound when you hit your brakes, you should take your car to the shop as soon as possible. Car brakes are made with an internal warning system that signals you when the pads are worn. The warning comes in the form of a squealing noise. You'll hear it every time you apply the brakes, so it becomes obvious what causes the sound. At this point, your car is still safe to drive, so you can make an appointment at your convenience. However, the brake pads will continue to deteriorate and if you don't get the repairs done soon, you might damage other parts of the brakes.

Grinding Noises When You Hit The Brakes

If you ignore the squealing, eventually the sound gets louder and your brakes start grinding. The grinding is caused by metal rubbing against metal when you apply the brakes. At this point, the rubber brake pads are gone or almost gone, and your car isn't safe to drive. Your brakes could fail at any time. You never want to push your brakes until the grinding starts because when the metal parts start rubbing against each other, damage is done to the rotors and drums, which leads to more costly repairs.

Your Car Handles Differently

When the brake pads get thin, you'll notice it in the way your car handles. For instance, the wheel may pull to one side as you brake your car. This indicates the pads on one side are worn more than the other. It could also be a sign of air or debris in the brake lines. It also feels like you have to depress the brakes much further to get your car to stop. When you get new brake pads, you barely have to tap the brakes to get a response, but when the pads are worn down, the brakes feel looser and they don't respond as quickly. Another sign of brake trouble is vibration in the brakes. If you feel the vibration every time you apply the brakes, it could be a sign the rotors or pads are bad and need to be replaced.

If your car just doesn't feel the same when you hit the brakes or you hear unusual noises, it's a good idea to have a quick brake inspection. It's better to be safe than have trouble on the road. If your brakes fail, you could cause an accident and hurt yourself or someone else. Your brakes are composed of various parts, including the pads, and any of them can wear down or develop problems. An inspection will identify the cause of the brake trouble so repairs can be made to ensure you're safe on the road.