Safety is paramount while driving your Chevy vehicle, and your brakes are the first line of defense. To make sure they’re functioning properly, it’s important that you get them checked by a professional once a year or every 25,000 miles. However, should you encounter problems in between those inspections, make sure you bring your vehicle in to your Chevy dealer for brake repair right away. Here are some signs that your brakes might be failing.
Find Out at Your Chevy Dealer if Your Vehicle Needs a Brake Repair
Your Brakes Are Sounding Off
Chevy manufactures your brakes in such a way that will warn you with a piercing tone should your brake pads wear down. This is due to an exposed piece of metal that brushes against the rotors, creating the noise you hear.
Glazed or warped rotors could also be the reason for the warning sound coming from your brakes. If the rotors are glazed, you’ll notice a dark ring or blue marks on them. Warped or glazed rotors can spell trouble for not only your brakes but your safety as well.
The Brake Pedal Feels Soft or Spongy
There are a number of reasons this happens, and it’s a sure sign that your brakes need to be professionally inspected before they fail on you. Some common reasons for a soft or spongy brake pedal include:
- Worn out rear brake shoe
- Leaky disc brake caliper
- Air in the brake line
- Damaged master cylinder
- Leak in the brake line
- Old or contaminated brake fluid
Your Brake Pedal Is Vibrating
When engaging your brakes, if you feel a vibration, it is a sign that the rotors are warped. Bring your vehicle in to a technician for repair as soon as possible. Also, be careful going forward that you don’t brake too harshly, as this is one of the main causes of a warped rotor.
Your Vehicle Takes Longer to Stop
Being able to stop quickly is an important safety issue, for you as well as other inhabitants of the road. If your vehicle is not slowing down timely when you brake, you need to stop driving immediately. It’s just too dangerous. Call a tow truck and have them deliver your vehicle to your dealer to inspect.
Leaking Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is crucial in allowing your vehicle to stop safely. The fluid does not evaporate over time, so low levels of brake fluid and/or a puddle on your driveway that looks like a less slimy version of motor oil are indications that your brakes are leaking fluid.
Leaking fluid can and will eventually lead to brake failure, so don’t take this issue lightly. Bring your vehicle to your dealer for a proper brake inspection and repair before you endanger yourself and others.
If you notice any of these issues, or your brakes just don’t seem to be performing as they should, be sure to consult a professional straightaway. See us on the double at Orr Chevrolet of Fort Smith for all your Chevy maintenance needs.
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