Signs Your Car is About to Die

Hello, my name is Roy. For many years, I drove a 1976 Ford estate car around Sydney. The car had belonged to my grandpa. It was passed down to me when I had just passed my driving test at the age of 18. That was in 1986 and the car was already in a pretty bad condition then. Fast forward to 2006 and I was now aged 38 and still driving the same car around. Sometimes the car wouldn't start, white smoke came out of the exhaust and the gearbox made a terrible sound. I did my best to patch it up, but eventually, I had to scrap the car and buy a new one. I decided to start a blog to encourage others to service their cars.

Five Early Warning Signs Your Brakes Are Malfunctioning

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It's not uncommon to take your car or truck in for brake repairs without even knowing it. You may notice the pedal is softer than normal, or that you have to press harder than usual to get it to stop.

If you start noticing these signs, it's important to get your brakes checked out as soon as possible. Here are five early warning signs your brakes are malfunctioning:

1. Your Brakes Are Squealing

A squealing noise from your brakes is a sign that they need attention. It could mean there is a problem with the pads, rotors, or calipers. This can be dangerous because the noise could indicate that something is about to fail and cause a sudden stop of your vehicle — which could not only cause an accident but also serious injuries for you and others around you.

2. The Pedal For Your Brakes Feels Soft

A soft pedal usually means that there is air in the brake lines or there is some other problem with one of them — such as leaking fluid or sticking valves inside the master cylinder. If this happens while driving, it can cause a loss of control of your vehicle and create a dangerous situation on the roadways.

3. Your Car Pulls To One Side When Using Brakes Or Steering

If you feel like your car is constantly pulling to one side when you're driving, it could mean that your brakes aren't working as they should. The first thing to check is whether or not your tires are wearing down unevenly, which could also cause this problem. It's also possible that your alignment needs an adjustment or your wheels need balancing. If these things don't fix the problem, it might be time to go get new brake pads or rotors before it becomes worse.

4. You Feel A Stutter Or Jerk When Using Brakes

This typically means that your brake fluid is low or dirty — which can cause pedal pulsation and pulling to one side when braking hard. It's best to get your fluid changed right away so that it doesn't damage other components in the system (or affect your car's performance). Don't take any chances here — if you notice this problem, get help immediately.

5. You Have Binding Brakes

This is a sign that your brake fluid may be low or contaminated with dirt or moisture. When the brake fluid is dirty, it can cause the pistons within your brake calipers to stick when the brake pedal is applied. This will cause your brakes to feel spongy or stiff when you apply pressure to them.

When your brakes are malfunctioning, it can lead to a serious accident. Have your brakes checked regularly by a licensed automotive professional, and watch out for any of the above warning signs that your brakes are not working correctly. 

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22 June 2022