Brakes tend to be overlooked by automobile owners. The average car or truck owner thinks about things like acceleration, overall horsepower, gas mileage, and more - but braking doesn't tend to be part of the conversation. And that's a shame. After all, having the ability to accelerate your vehicle down the road is only useful if you can slow it back down in a controlled manner. To be sure, the braking system on your vehicle is one of the most important safety features you have at your disposal.
At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we take brake maintenance very seriously. We want each and every one of our customers to be able to come to a comfortable stop each time they press down on the brake pedal. Of course, we can only provide your vehicle with quality brake service if you bring that vehicle to us in the first place. So, how do you know when your brakes need to be replaced? Let's take a closer look at that important question.
What's That Noise?
Often, the first sign that you are in need of a brake job is when you press down on the brake pedal - and an unpleasant noise follows shortly thereafter. If your brakes are squeaking, it may be time for new pads. One common mistake is for drivers to think that they can just keep driving with squeaky brakes, perhaps turning up their radio along the way to drown out the noise. You don't want to go in this direction, however, as the squeaking could be a sign that your brakes aren't going to continue working properly for much longer. If their performance deteriorates, your safety on the road could be compromised.
Of course, as is often the case with motor vehicles, a simple squeaking noise is not a guarantee that you need new brakes. The only way to know what your vehicle needs is to bring it in for an evaluation. Come see the team at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet for all the help you need. We will be happy to figure out what kind of care your brakes need, and we'll be happy to do the work promptly, and for a fair rate.
A Shaky Stop
In addition to a noisy braking experience, you may also notice that something is wrong when your vehicle shakes noticeably under normal braking. As the miles add up, the condition of your brakes is sure to wear down, and this kind of shaking may develop. Even though you should still be able to come to a stop, you'll be able to tell that something is 'off' within the braking system. The shaking is often due to worn out rotors which have become uneven. By replacing these rotors, you can get rid of the shaking. Of course, there are other possibilities which can lead to shaking, so you will want to turn to our team for help.
This point mirrors the point on noisy brakes, as many drivers choose to just ignore this feeling while driving. Since the car is still stopping, you might not think that it's a big deal to put up with a little shaking. That's the wrong way to think about this situation. By shaking, your car is telling you that something needs to be done about the condition of your brakes. Instead of ignoring this sign, take action right away to bring your brakes back into good condition. Contact Taylor & Sons Chevrolet to schedule an appointment and our qualified team of technicians will be happy to address your braking issues.
Decreased Stopping Power
This is the big one, and you won't want to waste any time at all if you notice this sign on the roads. When you apply the brakes, are you stopping in the usual amount of time? You should know your vehicle better than anyone, so you should be able to tell when something changes. If you aren't stopping as quickly as you expect, there is a good chance that your brakes need to be replaced. They are no longer holding up their end of the bargain on the roads, and your safety may be compromised as a result. The ability to stop quickly when necessary is inherent to a safe driving experience.
It should be noted that you don't have to be a professional driver, or even a driving enthusiast, to notice performance problems with your brakes. As long as you drive on a regular basis, you are more than qualified to monitor the performance of your stopping system. Also, you don't need to do anything like measure how far it takes you to stop from a certain distance. This isn't a sign that needs to be quantified - it is all about feel. If you feel that it is taking you longer than normal to stop your car, there is a good chance you are right.
Caring for your brakes is just one piece of the overall vehicle maintenance puzzle. Brakes are important, of course, but so are things like oil changes, tire rotations, and many more. You can only expect to get the best out of your vehicle when you give it the care that it requires on an ongoing basis. The team at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet would love to help you take care of all of these important maintenance points. By working with us, you can be sure that a qualified technician will be responsible for keeping your vehicle in top condition each time it heads out of our shop and onto the roads of Ponderay and beyond.
Don't make the mistake of ignoring the signs of brake trouble. It is extremely important that your brakes remain in proper working order as you go about your day to day life. When something seems amiss with your braking system, call or stop by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet right away. Thank you for taking the time to visit, and we hope to see you soon!