Brakes undergo enormous strain and pressure during even an ordinary day of driving. No matter how durable and well-designed your brakes are, they will occasionally run into trouble and need parts replacing. But if you pay careful attention and nip problems in the bud early on, you'll never face major brake-related issues. Any of the following seven problems should prompt you to visit your Mazda dealer right away for brake repair. Your Brake Fluid's Leaking This is perhaps the most dangerous of brake issues, as leaking brake fluid can swiftly lead to total brake failure. With fluid leaking, the hose connecting your brake pedal to the calipers no longer has hydraulic pressure. As such, your foot can no longer properly stop your car. Brake fluid is yellow in color when fresh, becoming a dirtier brown when old. If you ever notice a liquid like this pooling under your vehicle, don't start your car. You'll need to be towed to your nearest repair shop. Your Brake Fluid's Too Old Like any fluid in your car, brake fluid gradually loses its function with age. Generally speaking, you should have your brake fluid flushed and renewed every two years or so. This should be more frequent if you use your brakes more often than usual, or if you carry heavy loads. Have a Mazda Dealer Change Your Fluid You can change your own brake fluid, but it's a pretty messy, time-consuming affair. You'll also need specialist tools. For this reason, it's better to have your fluid changed at your local dealership. You Hear Clicking Sounds If bits of a caliper come loose, such as a bolt, screw, or clip, then you'll usually hear it clicking or clattering whenever you brake. Any loose parts can cause larger problems so have them refastened as soon as you can. You Hear Squealing Sounds Brake pads wear down at a steady pace. When a brake pad reaches a certain thinness, it starts to emit a high-pitched squealing noise. This noise means it's time for a new one. You Hear Grinding Sounds If for some reason a brake pad wears all the way down to almost nothing, you'll start hearing the harsh sound of metal grinding on metal. This means your rotor is being scored so it's wise to replace the faulty brake pad with all haste. You Feel Odd Vibrations When a rotor disc overheats, it can become warped or damaged. This leads to odd vibrations when you brake, which you'll feel through the brake pedal or steering wheel. You'll need to have the damaged rotor resurfaced or replaced. Your Brakes Are Sluggish Sluggish or spongy brakes are the scariest of warning signs. You should never drive with sluggish, unresponsive brakes. There could be a number of underlying issues. You'll need a technician to figure it out. Have highly qualified professionals inspect and repair your brakes today at Champion Mazda Owensboro. We're a well-established local dealership committed to treating every single person who steps through our doors to consistently superb customer service.
