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Warning Signs It’s Time to Change Your Brakes

Professional mechanics repairing brakes.Your brakes are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. Without them, you can easily be in danger of being in a serious accident. Luckily, there are clear warning signs to watch out for that indicate it’s time to take your vehicle in to change your brakes. 

Read on for the top signs to keep an eye out for that let you know it’s time to change your brakes.

 

Here are also some other helpful blogs on how to keep your vehicle running smoothly:

3 Signs Your Car’s Battery Requires Replacement

How to Prevent Your Vehicle From Overheating

Spring Vehicle Maintenance Tips

Screeching or Grinding Sounds

The best way to keep an eye on your vehicle’s brakes is to actually use your ears. If you hear screeching or grinding noises, especially when applying the brakes, this can be an obvious sign that part of your brakes, be it the brake pads or the rotors, needs to be changed out. A vehicle with brakes that are well-serviced will be able to stop with no sound at all, so any noise, especially a metallic one, is a sign that it’s time to book in for a service appointment.

Pulling to One Side

If you notice your vehicle pulling to one side when you apply the brakes, chances are one of your brakes is getting worn out in comparison to the others. Some brake pads wear at different rates, so instead of simply all wearing down equally, some can wear down more quickly, which will cause your vehicle to pull slightly one way or the other, depending on which set of brakes needs maintenance.

A mechanic performs checks on a tire.

Taking Longer to Stop

Another clear warning sign that it’s time to change your brakes is when it takes longer for them to respond. This can be due to the fact that they’ve worn down and therefore it takes longer for them to be effective. When they’re thin, it’s best to get them changed quickly, before they wear out completely and braking becomes a metal-on-metal action, as this can be even more damaging to your vehicle. Go see a trustworthy maintenance team and get them looked at if you notice this sign, as they will be able to advise you as to next steps and what you might need to get changed out.

Expert Toyota Maintenance at James Toyota in Timmins, ON

Come see our Service Department team at James Toyota in Timmins, ON, if your Toyota vehicle is in need of maintenance, especially brake maintenance. Our experienced team will get your vehicle’s brakes all tuned up in no time. Contact us or book yourself in for a maintenance appointment today!