CarBuyersNoteBook

When it comes to driving, proper scheduling of car maintenance in a need. And while most people are pre-occupied on the speed and how their car engines fare, NAPA Auto Parts reminds motorists how important it is to step on the brakes.

Given that Americans spend 4.2 billion hours a year constantly using their brakes in traffic, it’s obvious proactive brake maintenance is important. However, since brake replacement timeframes vary anywhere between 30,000 and 60,000 miles, recognizing brake warning signs is imperative to avoid a complete brake failure.

In an effort to keep drivers protected and save them money, NAPA’s 2009 Technician of the Year, Jack Gregory, offers advice on what those warning signs mean and why you should pay attention to them.

• Hear loud or frequent squeaks or grinding – A sound mechanism built into the brakes alerts drivers when replacements are needed. If a metal scraping sound occurs, the brakes have worn down to the rotors and need to be fixed.
• Smell an acid, burning odor – Problems with calipers sticking or hanging up, as well as problems with the brake hose can produce the scent. Heavy braking also can cause an unpleasant odor. “As soon as the driver smells the odor, I recommend bringing the vehicle to an ASE-certified technician who can diagnose the source and fix the problem before it gets worse,” said Gregory.
• Feel your brake pedal “squish” or become difficult to depress – Squishy brakes indicate air in the brake system caused by problems with the master cylinder, possibly a leak. Difficult to depress brakes are also often caused by a malfunctioning power booster.
• Feel shuddering or a continuous vibration in the steering wheel – Brake rotors or brake drums can trigger the vehicle to shake. “If you feel this shuddering for an extended period of time, it’s a warning sign to have your brakes inspected,” notes Gregory.
• See rust or metal flakes peeling off your brakes – When the vehicle brake pads are worn and hit the rotors, rust or metal flakes appear.
• See the brake system warning light turn on – A vehicle’s brake light usually warns the driver about worn brake pads. “The brake light can also indicate low fluids levels in the master cylinder, possibly caused by a leak,” added Gregory. “Either way, it’s important to have the problem addressed quickly before the brake system completely malfunctions putting you and others in danger.”

(Source) Press