How to Use Your Senses to Detect Braking Issues

If you consider yourself to be a model driver, then you know that you have to keep all of your wits on high alert whenever you drive along the busy Australian roads. Yet you not only need to be looking out for hazards and poor driving etiquette, but also you have to be finely tuned to the needs of your automobile. In short, you need to be sniffing, hearing, seeing, feeling and smelling so that you know if anything is not right with your ride. In particular, you need to use these senses to keep on top of your brakes' functionality. What do you need to be aware of?

Being in Tune

Many of the biggest problems that you're likely to encounter in any car can in fact be avoided if you keep up with your routine maintenance and are very wary behind the wheel. Once you've owned your car for just a short amount of time, you will be familiar with the way that it sounds, feels and smells. Evidence of potential brake problems can manifest themselves in many different ways.

What Can You Hear?

If you can hear any rubbing, screeching or squealing coming from the direction of any of the driving wheels, this is an indication that the shoes or pads are playing up. It could be that they have worn down to such an extent that they need to be replaced and these noises are evidence that they are coming into contact with other parts.

What Can You Smell?

If you can smell a burning scent which once again appears to be coming from any of the wheels, you should go directly to your mechanic or stop immediately if they are not close by. This could indicate that part of the system has seized and the resultant friction is causing that burning smell.

What Can You Feel?

If you can feel a vibration through either the steering wheel or the brake pedal, then this could indicate that one of the brake discs has become warped. This can sometimes happen if you brake suddenly when driving through a flooded area, but there could be other causes as well. You'll likely need to get that disc replaced, as the vibration won't go away otherwise.

What Can You See?

Lastly, if you can see any warning lights on your dashboard linked to the braking system, this could indicate that the fluid is very low or that you have a leak, or it could indicate that your anti-lock braking system is faulty. Take these lights seriously when you first detect them.

Being Proactive

Make sure that you always take your vehicle into the mechanic at the manufacturer's recommended intervals anyway, as many of these potential problems can be avoided in this case.

For more information on brake repairs, contact a local mechanic.