The brakes on your car or truck will eventually wear enough that they begin to lose performance and have a hard time stopping the vehicle. There are some signs that can help you determine when this starts to become a problem and let you know it is time to have the system checked and any necessary brake repairs made. 

Longer Stopping Distance

One of the most common things to happen with brakes on your car or truck is glazing with use. The soft friction material can become hard from heat, especially on vehicles that spend a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic that requires light pressure on the pedal regularly. The glazing makes it harder for the brake pads to grab the brake rotor, and the result is longer stopping distances. 

If you notice it is taking more effort to stop your car or truck, it is a good idea to have a brake repair shop check the system right away. If the pads are not changed, the heat that caused the glazing can eventually cause the pad to crack and fall apart, creating a situation where the pieces get caught in the caliper and rotor and drag, or worse, block the movement of the caliper and disable the brake altogether. 

Brake Noise

Brake wear is a normal occurrence with any vehicle, and over time, the brake pads and shoes on your car are expected to wear away. Any time you hear noise coming from the brakes when you are slowing down, you should pay attention and consider having the brakes checked. 

If you continue to drive the car, there is potential for damage to be done to the system that will be costly to repair. Squealing, grinding, and banging noises are not normal and should prompt you to have the brakes checked as soon as you can get the car to a brake repair shop. 

You may also want to consider upgrading the brake pads to a semi-metallic pad if you spend a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic. The constant brake use will wear the pads and shoes faster than normal, and a more durable brake pad could be the solution for your car. 

Brake Inspections

Most brake repair shops will inspect the brakes on your car for free and give you an estimate for any work that needs to be completed. If the car needs brake pads and shoes, the job will not be expensive, and getting the work done could save you a substantial amount of money.

Waiting until there is damage to the pads or rotors will be more costly to fix, and driving until there is damage is dangerous to you and the other drivers on the road around you. For more information about brake repair, contact a local auto repair shop.