• Home
  • Denver Auto Repair Services
    • Full Service Oil Change
    • Automatic Transmission
    • Fuel System Cleaning
    • Radiator Flush Service
    • Wiper Blades
    • Air Filter
    • Cabin Air Filter
    • Gearbox Service
    • Brake Repair
    • Clutches
    • CV Boots
    • Tune-Up
    • Steering & Suspension
    • Tires
  • Auto Diagnostic
  • Contact Us
    • About Us
  • Shop Specials
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • 303-691-2760

Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

  • Brake Service
  • Car Maintenance
    • Heating-Air Conditioning
    • Suspension
    • Transmission
    • Engine
    • Tires
  • Oil Change
  • Tips & Tricks

Don’t Ignore These Warning Signs of Brake Problems

September 7, 2022 by Denver Express Car Care

Imagine heading up into the mountains for a day of skiing. You drive deeper into the hills, closer to your destination on snow-packed roads. Suddenly, as you tap your brakes, it feels a bit squishy. Almost as if the brakes aren’t there. You tap again. Something’s not right. 

Will you be able to bring your car to a stop?

Will you trust your brakes on the ride home?  

That’s the last thing you want to have happen on your fun-filled day trip. Luckily, a little TLC and regular maintenance can prevent that from happening. 

Your brakes won’t fail without advanced warning. Your brakes will give you ample notice to bring your vehicle in for servicing long before it creates a problem. 

What should you watch for? 

Squealing or grinding noise

One of the most common indicators of brake problems starts when you apply pressure to the brake pedal. If you hear a high-pitched squeal, this could indicate wear on the brake pad. Brake pads are made with a steel indicator band to let you know they’re reaching end-of-life. This metal band connects with the rotor as you apply pressure, and the metal-on-metal creates a distinctive sound. If you keep driving once you notice this sound, the metal will wear into the rotor, causing additional problems that will be even more costly to fix. 

A grinding noise could indicate different things. Are your brakes fairly new? The grinding sound could be something like gravel stuck in the brake calipers. Or if the brake pads have worn down to the metal indicator bar, it could be the metal-on-metal sound. 

Don’t Ignore These Warning Signs of Brake Problems

Vibration when braking

As you drive, you grow accustomed to the way your car handles. If you notice a change in performance, pay attention to what is occurring. This can help a mechanic get to the heart of the problem. 

If your steering wheel or vehicle shakes or vibrates when you apply pressure to the brake pedal, it might be an indicator of a problem with the brake rotor. The brake rotor is a large disc that sits just inside the wheel. When you apply pressure to the brake pedal, the brake pad presses against the brake rotor to bring the car safely to a stop. 

Over time, the rotor surface can change. Material from the pad can cause divots and uneven wear marks. If the brake pads wear down to the metal bar, that can also cause irregular wear marks on the rotor. This unevenness affects the stopping power when you press down on the brake pedal. Brake servicing can fix uneven brake rotors, smoothing down the surface, providing it’s not too worn to fix. If the divots and worn marks are too severe, you’ll have to replace the brake rotors. 

Leaking fluid

Like other systems in your vehicle, the brake system uses brake fluid for proper performance. When you apply the brakes, the system uses brake fluid to create hydraulic pressure against the brake caliper. If the braking system is low on brake fluid, the pressure won’t be there to control your vehicle. 

If you experience a soft brake pedal, it’s time to bring your vehicle in for an inspection. They can check to ensure brake fluid isn’t leaking from the master cylinder or elsewhere in the brake system. 

You can also check your owner’s manual for guidelines on how often brake fluid should be checked and serviced. While it doesn’t need replacing like motor oil, fluid can be compromised over time. 

Spongy brake pedal

When we drive, almost every aspect becomes automatic, second nature, because the car behaves in a certain way. When you notice differences, it’s time to take action. 

A brake pedal provides certain resistance as you push down, and hydraulics kick into action. If the brakes feel softer as you press it further to the floor, it’s time for immediate service. It’s an indicator of moisture or air in the braking system, or a problem with the master cylinder. 

Car pulling to one side  

A vehicle contains four wheels, four brake pads, and four calipers. In a perfect world, all four would wear similarly. However, that’s rarely the case. If one caliper wears differently, or a brake hose goes bad, it can cause more pressure on one wheel. You’ll notice that in your car’s behavior. 

With more pressure on one side, the stopping power will be uneven. You’ll notice the car pulling to one side or the other. This will only get more pronounced if left unchecked. 

Burning smell 

A sharp burning smell after continually using your brakes is an indicator of overheating brakes. Pull over and give your brakes a chance to cool down. You can also further assess the situation. 

Check the parking brake. Is it fully released? 

If you see smoke coming from one of the wheel wells, it could be a sign of a stuck brake caliper. If it’s stuck in place, your vehicle is no longer safe to drive. You may have to tow it in for repair. 

Brake light turns on

One of the good things today’s cars offer is technological advancements that can alert you to potential problems. Your dashboard panel has a variety of lights and indicators to help you decide when to service your car. When you see the brake light illuminate, it’s time to bring your vehicle in for an inspection. 

In some cases, a brake light can be an indicator that your parking brake is on. Check to see if the parking brake is engaged. With that fully released, it’s time to schedule a maintenance visit if the brake light is still on. 

Do you have brake problems? 

Your brake system is one of your vehicle’s most important systems. Without brakes, you put yourself and those around you at risk. 

Think you may have brake problems? Make an appointment today. We’ll get you safely back on the road.   

Filed Under: Brake Service Tagged With: Brake Problems

Brake Problems

October 22, 2011 by Denver Express Car Care Leave a Comment

In Roseville  Michigan, a twenty-four year old man tried to use his feet to stop his runaway truck that had serious brake problems.  After his brakes failed on a busy street in Roseville, about two miles north of Detroit, the man was unable to use his brakes to stop.  So he continued driving but stuck his feet outside the truck in a futile attempt bring the truck to a stop.  Witnesses said the man reached speeds of about 40 mph and struck two cars after going through a red light.  He continued on and was eventually able to bring the truck to a stop but not before he had hit two more vehicles!

Then there was the firefighter that experienced brake problems when he was approaching an intersection while returning from an early morning alarm.  The vehicle was going less than 45 mph and the roads were clear but the temperature outside was near 9 degrees.  He tried to gear down but the automatic transmission didn’t work and there were two cars waiting for the light on either side of the intersection.  Fortunately, he was able to move as far to the left as possible as he approached the intersection and he made a wide right hand turn onto a two lane road and was able to come to a safe stop in an empty parking lot!

Don’t let this happen to you!

Although brake failure accidents are very rare, ( they consist of 5% or less of car accidents per year) we certainly don’t want to be included in that 5%.  So take the steps necessary to maintain your brakes properly and prevent brake problems from turning ugly.  There may be no sure way to prevent the possibility of a brake failure accident, but you can make sure to do your part.

Make sure that your brakes are inspected and serviced regularly.  If there is a recall notice for your vehicle, affecting the brakes or anything else, take it seriously and don’t ignore it.

Listen for grinding or squeaking noises when using the brake, or difficulty actually stopping the car.  Also be aware if your car veers to one side or the other when you put pressure on the brake pedal.  And last but not least, don’t neglect your brake fluid.  Most experts recommend that you completely change the brake fluid every one to two years.  Brake fluid that has been in the car for a year may contain 2% water, which greatly decreases its effectiveness.

For all of your Denver Auto Repair needs, trust Express Car Care. Call (303) 691-2760 or stop by our shop today.

 

Filed Under: Brake Service, Denver Auto Repair Tagged With: Brake Problems

Express Car Care
4200 E. Evans Ave. Denver, CO (map)
Phone: (303) 691-2760
Located just southeast of the Colorado Light Rail station

Follow Us Today!

  • Facebook
  • RSS

Shop Hours

Monday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Tuesday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Wednesday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Thursday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Friday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Saturday: Closed – A note from the owner
Sunday: Closed

Last car oil change time  – 5:00PM

Click for the BBB Business Review of this Auto Repair & Service in Denver CO

Recent Articles

How to Improve Stopping Power and Safety with Brake Maintenance

How to Improve Stopping Power and Safety with Brake Maintenance

What’s the stopping power of your car? How fast can you stop? Of course, that’s a loaded question. The answer is: It depends. It depends on: Inherently we know that our cars will stop differently … [Read More...]

  • Tune-Up Tips: How to Keep Your Car Running at its Best
  • The Role of Sensors in Your Car’s Anti-Lock Brake System: Understanding How They Work
  • Auto Repair and Suspension: How to Improve Handling and Ride Comfort
  • How Car Repair Affects your Warranty to Stay Protected
  • How to Choose the Right Mechanic for Your Car Clutch Repair

Search Our Site

Brakes Service

How to Improve Stopping Power and Safety with Brake Maintenance

The Role of Sensors in Your Car’s Anti-Lock Brake System: Understanding How They Work

The Importance of Regular Anti-Lock Brake System Maintenance

Oil Change

What an Oil Change and Oil Filter Replacement Do To Your Car

Does Your Hybrid Vehicle Need an Oil Change?

Regular vs Synthetic Motor Oil – What You Should Know

Suspension

This Is How You Know If You Have Suspension Problems

How Worn Out Shocks and Struts Can Cause An Accident

CV Joint and CV Boot Repair – What You Need To Know

Transmision Service

How to Choose the Right Mechanic for Your Car Clutch Repair

Sticking to a Budget – How To Handle Auto Repairs

How Heat Impacts Your Transmission

Engine Service

Sticking to a Budget – How To Handle Auto Repairs

The Most Common Sensors Used In Your Car’s Engine

How Engine Knocking Impacts Your Vehicle

Auto Tips & Tricks

How Auto Repair Reduces Your Carbon Footprint and Helps the Environment

Auto Repair Techniques to Improving Gas Mileage and Save Money

Do Trucks Last Longer Than Cars? Proper Maintenance Strategies

"Denvers Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube" - Copyright © 2023 - 4200 E. Evans Ave. Denver, CO 303-691-2760