Vehicle safety should be your top priority. Regular brake system inspections are crucial for keeping you, your passengers, and other drivers safe on the road. The following article lists the telltale warning signs that it’s time for you to schedule an appointment for brake service at your Kia dealer.
8 Signs You Should Bring Your Car to Your Kia Dealer for Brake Service
1. Visible Wear
If you suspect that your brake pads are worn, take a look to determine the condition of the pads and if you need to replace them. The pads should be at least a quarter-inch thick. Anything less than that and they will need to be replaced.
2. High Pitched Screeching Sounds
This sound is a warning that your brake pads are wearing down and need replacing. Brake pads have a tiny piece of metal that makes that screeching sound when it’s time for new brake pads.
3. Strange Odors
When you smell a burning or chemical odor, it could be caused by the brakes overheating. First, check the parking brake. If you used the brakes accessively, stop your car in a safe place and wait for the brakes to cool down. You need to ask your technician to check your brakes ASAP.
4. Your Vehicle Pulls to One Side
When your car pulls to the side when you brake, it’s an indication that the brake fluid is contaminated or that the brake linings are wearing down unevenly. Your technician will have to either drain the brake fluid or adjust the brakes.
5. Reduced Responsiveness
You brake, but the brakes are not responsive, and it feels like they are fading away. This problem is an indication of a brake system leak. It could either be an air leak in the brake hose, a brake fluid leak, or that the brake pads are wearing down and causing your brakes to be unresponsive.
6. Brake Fluid Leak
If you notice a wet spot where your car was parked when you pull out of a parking spot, it could be brake fluid leaking out. Brake fluid looks similar to clean motor oil but without an oily texture. When you spot puddles under your car, schedule a service appointment as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
7. Metallic Grinding Noises
If you ignore the screeching sounds, they will soon turn into a nasty heavy grinding noise. Your brake pads have now worn down completely, and that awful sound you hear is the metal plate grinding against the rotor. This will damage the rotors, and chances are that they will also need to be replaced.
8. Brake Pedal Vibrations
When you feel vibrations through the brake pedal when you brake, it’s a sign that your vehicle’s rotors are warped. This is caused by severe braking over long periods but also when the rotors are thin or old. Hard braking creates tremendous amounts of friction and heat, causing the rotors to warp.
Look out for the warning signs and get the problem repaired as soon as possible for your own safety. Visit Crain Kia of Conway today and our expert technicians will ensure that your brake system is in excellent condition and that your vehicle is safe on the road.
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