Don’t Wait Until Your Brakes Squeak to Get Them Checked

It’s said that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but when it comes to your car’s brakes, the time to pay attention is before you start hearing any noises.

When your brakes start making noise, it’s often a sign that they’ve been overworked or neglected. If left unchecked, this could lead to even more significant damage, such as warped rotors, which could ultimately require more costly repairs or replacement. So when is the time to check in on the status of your brakes? Read on to find out.

How do brakes work?

Cars typically use two different kinds of brakes: disk in the front and drum in the back. 

Both types of brakes stop your car by using friction. With disk brakes, pads compress on a spinning rotor on the wheel, while brake shoes create similar friction stopping with drum brakes.

Friction inevitably leads to wear, which is why brake pads periodically need to be replaced. 

Depending upon how you drive, your brake pads can last anywhere from 30,000 to 80,000 miles, while brake rotors are intended to last at least 30,000 miles. However, they can wear out in just 20,000 miles if you live in a hilly area and have to brake often every day, says Bruce Vuong, owner of Quality Tech Automotive, a AAA Approved Auto Repair Center based in Oakland, California.

How often should I check my brakes?

Automotive experts say that brakes should be inspected by a mechanic at least every six months. If you tend to be a more aggressive driver, more frequent routine checkups are recommended, such as when you bring your car in for an oil change. 

Regular brake checks can help avoid accidents and injury. In Vuong’s 43 years in business, he’s noted that when money is tight, people often skimp on car maintenance, so they may be driving around unaware of potential brake issues.

“Every time a customer comes in for an oil change, we do a safety inspection,” Vuong says. “We check brakes, tire pressure, and all fluid levels. We’re not trying to sell the service. We want customers to be aware.” Regular brake maintenance can also help them last longer.

Why are my brakes squeaking or grinding?

Noisy brakes can sometimes be benign, such as when moisture accumulates on brake pads and rotors, causing them to temporarily squeak, particularly in the morning. 

But brake pads also have metallic wear indicators that will cause squeaking as the pads get thinner. 

Grinding noises likely mean your brake pads are completely worn out, allowing the metal backing of the brake pads to scrape against the metal rotors. This can be a serious problem.

Damaged rotors can be costly: Not only will you have to replace them sooner, but the repair will be more expensive. A complete brake job—which includes replacing the brake pads, rotors, and brake calipers (which hold the pads in place)—can easily set you back close to $1,000. 

Replacing brake pads before other parts are damaged, on the other hand, is cheaper—an estimated $100-$300 per axle, on average for standard brakes.

Many newer cars have electronic brakes. They still need rotors and pads, but the auto shop must purchase an annual software license to work on them. Electronic front brakes are about $495 while rear brakes can be $595 for popular cars brands such as Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, or Kia. Rear brakes on a luxury car like Mercedes can run $895, Vuong says.

Are noisy brakes dangerous?

Safety is even more important than savings when it comes to getting your brakes checked routinely. Keeping your brakes in good working order will keep you, your passengers, and other drivers and pedestrians safe. 

Worn, thin brake pads create less friction, meaning they will take longer to stop your car. Braking power is reduced, and the distance needed to brake is increased. A near miss with good brakes can become a serious crash with worn-out ones.

When you neglect brake maintenance, it not only puts you and other drivers at risk, it can impact the overall condition of your vehicle. This could ultimately affect its resale or trade-in value when it comes time to upgrade.

Other Signs That Your Brakes Need Service

Squeaking and grinding are only a couple of the possible signs that your brakes are overdue for a checkup, new brake pads, or rotor servicing or replacement. Other indications include:

Your car’s brake indicator light comes on. In some cars, the brake light simply means that you’ve left your parking brake on. In others, however, the light can either mean a problem with the brakes has been detected or that your brakes are due for regular maintenance. Check your owner’s manual to be sure.

1. Wobbling or vibration when braking. If your steering wheel shakes when you are stopping, it could mean that the surface of your brake rotors has become uneven due to wear. A mechanic can tell you whether your rotors can be serviced (resurfaced) or need to be replaced.
2. Your car pulls to one side while braking. Sometimes pulling is a sign of an alignment problem, but it also can be caused by problems that cause the brakes on one side of your car to work more strongly than the other.
3. Burning smell when braking. Overheating brakes, which can happen if you’re driving downhill for a while, can cause an acrid smell, but so can issues such as a frozen brake caliper. The solution to overheating is simple: pull over and let your brakes cool down. Even if you see the brakes smoking, Vuong cautions not to try cooling them with water. The abrupt temperature change can warp the metal and necessitate a costly repair. A frozen caliper, however, requires a visit to the closest service station.
4. Leaking brake fluid. When you step on your brake pad, hydraulic pressure in the brake lines force the brake pads or shoes against the rotors or brake drums, causing friction and making the car stop. Losing brake fluid can decrease hydraulic pressure, weakening braking strength. If you notice a puddle of fluid under your car, get your brakes checked immediately. It could indicate a ruptured hydraulic hose, Vuong says.
5. Soft or spongy brakes. If your brake pedal depresses further than usual—or, worse, goes right to the floor—it’s a pretty good sign that your brakes are weak or failing. “If the brake pedal only goes down ¾ of the way, come to the shop immediately,” says Vuong because it could indicate a serious brake system leak. Don’t drive a car with weak brakes: Contact AAA Roadside Assistance for a tow to your nearest certified service station.