5 Signs You Need to Service Your Brakes

Your brake system is one of the most critical safety components of your vehicle. It consists of several parts pads, rotors, calipers, fluid, and more that must work in unison to bring your car to a complete and safe stop. Maintaining this system is essential not just for your own safety, but also for your passengers and other drivers on the road.

While brake pads and rotors are typically designed to last 2 years or 24,000 miles, that number can vary depending on your driving style, terrain, and climate. Fortunately, your brake system usually gives early warning signs when it’s time for service.

Here are five common symptoms that indicate your brakes may need attention.

1. Squeaking or Squealing When Braking

A high-pitched squeak is often the first sign that your brake pads are nearing the end of their service life. This noise usually comes from a built-in wear indicator designed to alert you before performance becomes compromised.

What to check:
Look through the wheel spokes at your brake pad thickness. Most pads need replacement once they reach 3–6mm.

This symptom can appear on any vehicle, whether you drive a Buick, Infiniti, or Mini Cooper.

2. Grinding Noise from Brakes

If you hear a grinding or growling sound when braking, your brake pads may be completely worn out. This means the metal backing plate is now scraping directly against the rotors a condition known as “metal on metal.”

Warning:
In this state, your vehicle is unsafe to drive. Grinding brakes can overheat tires and even spark a fire. If this happens, pull over immediately and have your vehicle towed to a trusted repair facility.

3. Vibration in the Brake Pedal

A vibrating or shaking brake pedal is another sign of worn-out pads or warped rotors. Often, this symptom accompanies a metal-on-metal condition, and it means immediate brake service is needed.

Don’t ignore pedal vibration may lead to complete brake failure or further damage to the brake system.

4. Pulsation in the Steering Wheel While Braking

If your steering wheel starts to pulsate or shake when brakes, especially from highway speeds, it often means your brake rotors are warped.

Warped rotors can result from:

• Overheating during downhill or aggressive braking
• Quick temperature changes (hot rotors cooled rapidly by water)
• Replacing pads without resurfacing or replacing rotors
• Installing low-quality brake parts

This issue is more common than you’d think and should be addressed immediately to restore proper braking performance.

5. Delayed or Longer Stopping Distance

If your vehicle is taking longer than usual to stop, or your brakes feel “spongy,” the issue may lie in your brake fluid system.

Over time, moisture can accumulate in brake fluid, reducing its effectiveness. Air pockets can also enter the system, making it harder to transfer pressure from the pedal to the calipers.

Brake fluid should be replaced every 20,000–40,000 miles or every 2 years (whichever comes first).

Poor brake fluid can affect any make and model—from Jaguar SUVs to Mazda sedans—and should never be overlooked.

Professional Brake Service in Burien

If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, it’s time to schedule a comprehensive brake inspection. At ABC Auto Repair in Burien, we specialize in brake repair, rotor resurfacing, and brake fluid flushes for a wide range of vehicles.