Of the half a million road accidents that happen each year in the US, about 5% are caused by brake failure. While brake failure is fortunately rare, it can occasionally happen when brakes are neglected. Routine brake servicing keeps most brakes in excellent condition. The following seven problems should also be watched out for, any of which should prompt a quick visit to your nearest Subaru dealer for brake repair.
Does Your Subaru Need a Brake Repair?
Brake Fade
When brakes overheat, an interesting phenomenon named brake fade may sometimes occur. Brake fade is where the melting resin in overheating brake pads releases a tiny layer of gas that reduces traction.
The result is a sudden loss of stopping power which can be very dangerous. So if you ever experience brake fade, get off the road at once and allow your brakes to cool back down. If the problem continues thereafter, you might need a mechanic to take a look.
Soft Brakes
Another disconcerting experience is when a brake pedal feels suddenly soft underfoot. This soft sensation is usually caused by leaking brake fluid, which has allowed air into the brake lines.
It’s also wise to pull over if your brakes ever feel soft. Check your brake lines and undercarriage for leaking fluid, or have a mechanic do this for you.
Squeaking Brakes
A less immediately dangerous issue is a squeaking sound coming from your brakes. This squeaking can sometimes be created by a little harmless dust or water on the brake pad. But if the sound persists, one of your brake pads might be almost worn out and in need of replacement.
Grinding Brakes
Metallic grinding sounds when you brake point to a problem in one of your brake calipers. A small screw or pin might have come loose or a stone from the road may have gotten caught in the caliper. Grinding can also be caused by a severely worn-down brake pad that’s lost its friction layer entirely.
Vibrating Brakes
Damaged rotors or brake drums tend to cause a vibration that you can feel through the brake pedal. A damaged rotor might be rescued with resurfacing if it’s still thick enough.
Uneven Brakes
If you feel like one side of your car is braking more firmly than the other, then you might have a problem. When an issue develops inside a single braking mechanism, your car might pull to one side as well.
Brake Warning Light
Most brake problems will cause the brake warning light to light up on your dashboard. This light won’t tell you specifically what’s wrong. But it’s best not to ignore it in case the underlying problem worsens.
Have Brake Servicing Twice a Year at Your Subaru Dealer
Without well-kept brakes, a driver is a danger to themselves and to others. And so periodical brake servicing might be the most important of all car maintenance tasks.
It’s generally recommended to have brake servicing twice a year. But if you use your brakes excessively because you commute every day in heavy traffic, every three months might be a better interval.
Visit Jim Keras Subaru today to have your brakes inspected and repaired. For 32 years, we’ve been proudly serving the drivers of Memphis, West Memphis, Bartlett, and elsewhere in the nearby Mid-South.
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