Your vehicle’s brakes need to be in excellent condition to ensure your safety on the road. The following signs will warn you that your car needs a brake repair from a qualified Ford mechanic at your Dahlonega, GA, dealership. 
1. The Brake Pads Are Worn and Thin
New brake pads are eight to twelve millimeters thick. If you want to see if your brake pads are still thick enough, visually inspect the pads. Look through the wheel spokes, and you will see the brake pads pressed up against the rotors. The pads should be thicker than 6.4 millimeters to do their job well. If they are thinner, you need to ask your mechanic to replace them as soon as possible.
2. Ineffective Brakes
Your car is slow to respond, and it takes longer to stop when you press down on the brake pedal. When your brakes aren’t working as they should, a leak could be causing the problem. Low brake fluid or a leak in the brake system will reduce your vehicle’s stopping power.
3. Wet Stains Under Your Car
If your brakes are unresponsive and it takes longer to stop, check under your vehicle for puddles. If you see yellow or brown stains where your car was parked, it’s a brake fluid leak. Ask your mechanic to perform a brake system inspection to determine where the leak is coming from.
4. Your Car Pulls to the Right or Left
When your car pulls to the right or left when you apply the brakes, your vehicle’s brake pads are not wearing down evenly. The brake pads on one side are more worn than on the other side of your vehicle, causing your car to pull to the side. The brake pads need to be adjusted to ensure even wear. Contaminated brake fluid could also be the culprit. Ask your mechanic to perform a brake fluid replacement.
5. A Squealing Sound
Brake pads have a metal wear indicator built in to warn you when the pads are wearing thin and need to be replaced. When the pads are worn, the wear indicator makes a high-pitched squealing sound when you step on the brake pedal. When you hear this sound, it’s a sign that it’s time for a brake pad replacement. Don’t wait too long before you ask your mechanic to change the brake pads. If they wear too thin, they will damage the rotors.
6. A Grinding Noise
When the brake pads are worn too thin, the bare metal will grind against the rotors. That is the horrible grinding noise you hear. The rotors are being damaged and can get hot enough to melt. When this happens, the brakes will stick. This is very dangerous, and you need to get your car to your mechanic as soon as you can.
7. The Brake Pedal Is Vibrating
You apply the brakes, and you feel vibrations through the brake pedal. This could be a sign that your vehicle’s rotors are warped, caused by age and hard braking. Vibrations occur because the warped rotors are not making contact with the brake pads evenly.
8. A Burning Odor
When your vehicle’s brakes are overheating from overuse and hard braking, you will smell a burning odor. It’s best to stop your car in a safe place and wait for the brakes to cool down. For your safety, schedule an appointment with your mechanic to inspect your vehicle’s brakes.
For your safety, we recommend that you ask your mechanic for a thorough brake system inspection as soon as possible when you experience any of the signs. Contact Chestatee Ford today for a brake system inspection. Our Ford technicians will ensure that your brakes are in excellent condition and you and your passengers are safe on the road.
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