Brakes are an essential part of a vehicle. They use a really large amount of kinetic energy to stop a vehicle moving at any speed. The way it's used, the road it's used on and the condition of the environment determines how long the brakes last for. When these brakes eventually go bad, they will need to be replaced. But before they go bad, you should endeavour to maintain the brakes as much as possible to increase the life span to an extent.

Something is wrong if the pedal is too soft and there is no slight resistance when braking

The entire braking system might not go bad at once. It may be the small metals disks firsts or the brake pads only. Which ever one, here is how to know that your brakes are bad and when is the right time to change them.

1. When it starts making a rough and grinding sound

After driving your car for a long time, you might start hearing a grinding sound. That's the sound of the brake pads rubbing on the metal disks. This could be as a result of the disk being rusty, or even damaged. If the pads are new, they could wear out on the edges and the noise will reduce but the metallic indicators will be exposed. This will make the pads grow thinner than they actually are and stop working effectively - as heat can't be absorbed. Once this happens, you'll need to change your brakes.

The noise isn't always caused by the pads rubbing against the disk, it can also be as a result of gravels been stuck somewhere in the brake calipers. It also leads to a wearing out of the disks. But no need to worry much, all you need do is a simple forward and backward swift drive. Drive your car forward, drive backwards a bit faster and apply the brakes hard, the gravel tends to fall out. But be careful so you don't hit someone or an object. In this case, you don't necessarily have to change the brakes.

Endeavour to change your brake disk once it gets rusty

2. When the pedal area status vibrating a lot

Sometimes when the brake disks get rusty and cracked, the brake pedal area starts vibrating when driving. Once you notice this vibration, get it checked - you might be needing new brake disks. On the other hand, these vibration can be caused when you have stepped on the brake pads too hard often, and the anti-lock braking system takes over. Then you might have to change your brakes.

Just in case you're wondering what the anti-lock braking system is about, Wikipedia explains it as "a safety anti-skid system used on aircraft and on land vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks and buses - that operates by preventing the wheels from locking up during braking, thereby maintaining tractive contact with the road surface.:

3. When the pedal is too soft

Normally, when you step on the brakes, it pushes your foot back slowly. But once you notice that it simply goes down with no form of resistance, your brakes may have gone bad or the brake fluid has issues. Some problems associated with brake fluid include it absorbing so much water or air. If it's the brake fluid, you can let it cool a bit or simply change the fluid.

If braking makes your car pull to one side, check your brake system

4. When the brake pads burn

When your brake pad rubs constantly against the disk, it might get burnt. You will smell it in some cases. When this happens you have to change the brake pads. However, this can be avoided by not stepping on the brakes too hard, driving slow and steady, and using your gears properly.

Video: When This Happens, You Need to Change Your Car's Brakes Fast

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