Rather like seeing the dentist, regular checkups are the key to avoiding serious brake problems with your car. Little indications of trouble should also never be ignored. Just like tooth pain, small brake problems will only get worse without professional attention. With this in mind, the following warning signs should prompt you to visit your local Ford dealer for brake repair as soon as you can.
Unresponsive Brakes
The most urgent indication of brake problems is when your brakes stop working as they should. If you’re pressing on the pedal, but your car isn’t slowing properly, pull over right away.
You might have a temporary loss of stopping power due to overheating brake pads and rotor discs. But if your brakes still don’t work properly when they’ve cooled down, you’ll need a technician to take a look.
Brake Fluid Pooling Under Your Car
If your brakes feel spongy rather than sluggish, you might have leaking brake fluid. When any of your brake hoses spring a leak, fluid comes out, and air gets in. The resulting loss of hydraulic power means your foot is no longer transmitting enough power to one or more of your calipers.
Once again, pull over quickly and check for leaking fluid. Brake fluid is a light yellow when new, fading to brown when aging. Look under your car and hood for any sign of a yellow or brown fluid puddling or coating the hoses.
Strange Sounds When You Brake
Fully functioning brakes shouldn’t make any noise when you stop, even in the case of an emergency brake. If you start hearing odd sounds, you can be sure that something’s awry.
Strained squeaking sounds often mean that one or two of your brake pads has worn down too thin. Grinding sounds means that either a worn brake pad is scraping metal directly on your rotor or something’s loose inside your caliper.
Severe Driving Conditions for Brakes
Brake-heavy drivers are also more likely to run into brake problems. Some driving conditions demand more frequent braking. Mountainous roads have long downhill stretches that need a lot of brake work. Regular commuting in heavy stop-and-go traffic also puts more strain on the brakes.
How a Ford Dealer Looks for Brake Faults
When you take your car in for brake inspection, the technician will first examine all the hoses under the hood. They’ll raise your car and check the brake lines underneath your car as well.
They’ll remove the wheels and take apart the braking mechanism piece by piece to inspect the calipers, rotors, and pads in detail. They’ll also top up your brake fluid if the level is low or flush it out to replace it if the fluid’s deteriorating.
Have a thorough inspection of your brakes carried out at Englewood Ford today. We’re a trusted local dealership that’s been providing the region’s local drivers with great vehicles and service for over a decade.
