Your car’s brakes may not be something you think about often, especially when you buy a brand new car, like the Cadillac XT5. But they are one of the most important features your car has. Faulty or ill-working brakes put you and others at risk for serious accidents and injury. This being said, your car’s braking system should always be in top working condition.One good thing about your car’s braking system is that it provides audible and visible signs to warn you of trouble. If you pay attention to what your car tells you, and you take it seriously, you will be able to stay on top of any problems and avoid dangerous situations behind the wheel. Here are some of the warnings signs your car may give to alert you of brake trouble.
Sounds
When you press on the brake pedal, your brakes should bring your car to a noise-free stop. So if you are hearing sounds, like screeching, squealing or grinding, this is a common sign that your brakes are in need of attention. Here’s a closer look at that high-pitched screeching sound.
Long ago, car makers discovered a way to provide drivers with an audible warning sign to alert them when their brakes are bad – or going bad. What they did was attach a small metal indicator, called a shim, to your brakes. When your car’s brake pads have worn down to a specific point, the shim lets out an audible warning sign that sounds like a high-pitched screech. This noise is loud enough to be heard while the windows are up, and even when the radio is on at a low volume. If you hear the shim’s well-known screech, it is time to have your brakes checked and fixed. If you hear it regularly, time is running out until your brakes are no longer able to stop your car.
Reduced Responsiveness
Just as you should listen to your vehicle for signs of brake problems, you should also pay attention to how it feels while driving and stopping. One sign your car’s brakes may be in need of repairs is a brake pedal that sinks to the floor, or brakes that are not as responsive as usual. These two problems could be caused by an air leak in the brake hose or a fluid leak in the braking system. One way to tell if it’s fluid leak is by looking at the ground beneath your car. If you notice the presence of a small puddle of fluid (it will look similar to motor oil), then you may have a brake fluid leak on your hands.
Grinding/Growling
Another noise you should listen out for when stopping your car is grinding or growling. This loud, metal-on-metal sound means your brake pads have been completely worn down and are beyond replacement. This can result in damaged rotors, a problem that will need to be repaired in order for your car’s brakes to return to good working condition.
Pulling
Have you noticed your car pulling to one side when behind the wheel? This could be as sign that your wheels need to be aligned, but if your car pulls to one side while braking, then the trouble lies in your braking system. A pulling car can be due to brake linings wearing unevenly, or to foreign matter being in the brake fluid. Depending on the specific problem, your car may need a brake adjustment, or to have its brake fluid drained and replaced.
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