Whenever you use your brakes, they wear down a fraction more. Routine brake servicing allows the technician to keep brake fluid fresh and check for leaks, faults, or excessive wear and tear. In addition to this, all drivers should know the early warning signs of brake issues so they can promptly have brake service and repair at their nearest GMC dealer. Read on to learn what to watch out for.
When Is It Time for a Brake Service for Your GMC?
Screeching Sounds
Perhaps the most frequent indication of brake trouble is a screeching sound when you use your brakes. This unmissable noise usually points to a worn-out brake pad. Brake pads can last anywhere from 20,000 to 70,000 miles, depending on how much you use them.
As brake pads do the lion’s share of the work in generating the friction to slow and stop your car, they tend to wear down faster than the other brake components. Fortunately, brake pads are intentionally designed to emit a screeching sound when it’s time for a new one.
Vibrating Brake Pedal
When the brake pads clamp onto the rotor discs, the rotors also undergo steady wear and tear, albeit at a slower rate than the pads. You can expect your rotors to last from about 50,000 to 70,000 miles, and often even longer.
Once a rotor becomes thinned down, it weakens in structure and becomes susceptible to warping, especially when overheated by excessive continual braking. A warped or damaged rotor disc will often generate pulsating vibrations in the brake pedal and steering wheel.
Spongy Brake Pedal
If your brake pedal ever feels unusual underfoot, it’s best to pay attention. Leaking brake fluid can make the brake pedal feel suddenly spongy. In the case of a leak, your car’s stopping power might also be reduced. If you suspect a leak, check under your car for puddles of transparent oily fluid that’s yellow, honey-gold, or brown in color.
Longer Stopping Distances
When brakes suffer a serious fault, the worst possible outcome is brake failure. If you ever find that your car is taking longer to slow down than usual, pull over at once before the problem gets worse.
Reduced stopping power can sometimes be caused by overheating brake pads and rotors. In this situation, once cool again, the brakes should return to normal. If they don’t, have a technician diagnose and fix the underlying fault.
Have Brake Servicing Twice a Year at Your GMC Dealer
It’s wise to adopt an attitude of proactive maintenance toward your brakes. This means scheduling and attending routine brake servicing at your local dealership. While most drivers should have their brakes checked twice a year, consider doing it more frequently if you regularly commute in busy traffic, tow heavy trailers, or drive along mountainous roads that require excessive braking.
Visit GMC Cadillac Billings in Billings, MT today to have your brakes inspected and serviced by experienced technicians. We’re a local family-owned dealership offering a broad inventory of new and used vehicles along with courteous, professional staff who believe in providing as hassle-free a car purchasing and servicing experience as possible.
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