Your car’s brake system serves an extremely important role in ensuring your safety especially when driving in challenging traffic conditions. Without a properly working brake system, you and other drivers you will meet on the road are at increased risk for accidents. How can we avoid brake-related accidents?

A brake inspection service will detect any possible issue within the system before it completely fails. However, brake problems can also happen in between inspections, and in most cases, you’ll see warning signs that tell you something is wrong and should be checked.

Read on to learn how you can detect brake defects before they turn into dangerous and costly problems.

When Is a Brake Inspection and Repair Needed?

Ideally, you shouldn’t wait until you experience signs of problems in your brake system before bringing your car in for a service. To prevent costly repairs, we recommend bringing your car for a regular brake inspection in Evanston at least once every six months or more frequently if your car’s maintenance plan allows it.

In addition to regular preventive inspection, you should watch out for these warning signs to know when it is time for a brake repair service:

Your Brakes Are Making Noises

Brakes making any grinding or squealing noise is a sure sign that there is something wrong with the brake system. Possible issues that cause brake noises are: 

• brake pads or rotors have started to wear out and will need replacement sooner or later.
• there is a foreign object, such as rock and other debris, lodged in the brake system that needs to be removed.

The Brake Pedal Shudders Or Vibrates

The vibration you feel when you engage the brake pedal signals an underlying issue with the brake system. It can mean either of the following:

• damaged or worn-out brake pads, rotors, or other brake components. 
• tires are not aligned properly, causing suspension problems.

Your Brake Pedal Feels Loose and Less Responsive

An unresponsive brake is a serious problem that needs to be fixed right away. What causes a loose brake pedal?

If your brake feels loose or wobbly, you may be dealing with a critically low brake fluid level. When air gets trapped in your brake lines, it causes brake fluid not to flow properly. The low brake fluid level then causes the brake pedal to feel loose and difficult to press down.

A loose brake can also mean damaged master cylinders, disc brake calipers, or faulty wheel cylinders and needs to be inspected and fixed as soon as possible.

Car Is Pulling In One Direction

If your car is pulling to one side whenever you hit the brake, an emergency inspection and repair are needed before you can drive safely again.

One possible reason for a car pulling to one side is uneven tire pressure. This problem can easily be fixed by inflating the tire to the proper pressure. If your tire continues to have deflation problems, it could be a sign that your tire is damaged.

Another possible reason your car is pulling to one side is a misaligned wheel and axle. A wheel alignment will fix this issue, but if the problem persists, uneven tread wear could be to blame.

If you noticed any of the signs listed above, bring your car to an auto repair shop near you for a proper diagnosis and repair. While brake issues can sometimes be an easy fix, attempting to do car repairs at home can cause serious and costly damage to your car’s engine.

For a stress-free service, get your brakes checked by HEART Certified Auto Care.

How Much Is A Brake Service in Evanston, IL

There is no hard rule for how much a brake service should cost. The cost of a brake system inspection, maintenance, and repair varies depending on several factors, such as your car’s make or model, the age and condition of your car, and the auto repair shop you go to.

A typical brake service consists of brake fluid inspection and replacement. Depending on your car’s condition, an Evanston mechanic may also perform cleaning, lubricating, fixing, and replacing of the brake pads, rotors, and other braking mechanisms.

While it’s difficult to give an accurate estimate, in general, a professional brake service can cost you anywhere from $50 to $800 or up to $1000 depending on your car’s make or model and the extent of the services needed. 

Final Thoughts

Brake issues are basically easy to avoid with regular maintenance from a professional. Keeping on top of your car’s maintenance schedule ensures that issues get fixed before they get worse and will give you peace of mind that your car is in good hands.

Contact HEART Auto Care today to get an accurate Evanston brake service quote.