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Oct 17, 2023
brake

Even if you visit a dealer for your service right on schedule, you may occasionally need an unexpected brake repair. That’s why it’s important to know the signs that show up when there’s something going wrong with the braking system. Your Chevy dealer in Kilgore, TX will be happy to help you any time you’re having a problem with the brakes, so always stop by when one of the signs below shows up.

1. The Steering Wheel Vibrates

Your steering wheel shouldn’t vibrate unless there’s a problem with something in your vehicle. Usually, a vibrating steering wheel indicates that your rotors are warped or uneven. This is usually an easy fix, so head down to the dealer ASAP to get the rotors replaced.

2. The Brake Pads Need Replacing

When you need to replace your brake pads, your vehicle will usually send you an alert through your dashboard, but that might not be the case for older models. For older models, you’ll have to rely on the brake pad wear indicator built into the pads themselves. When this metal indicator is exposed, it’ll scrape against the rotors and create a high-pitched squealing noise that you’ll notice while driving.

Driving with worn-down brake pads can make your brakes less effective, so head to the dealer right away.

3. The Brakes Make a Grinding Sound

If it sounds like your brakes are grinding against something when you use the brake pedal, then you’ll need to visit a dealer as soon as you can. Grinding noises can indicate many different issues. For example, your brake pads may have worn down all the way, or you may have debris stuck in your caliper unit.

4. The Brake Fluid Is Leaking Out

If your vehicle’s brake fluid level is dropping rapidly, or if you see some brake fluid pooling under your vehicle, then there’s a leak somewhere in the system. It could be within the brake system itself, or it might be a problem with the master cylinder. It’s a good idea to get towed if you have a fast leak or if there isn’t much brake fluid left in your vehicle, as driving without enough brake fluid can be very dangerous.

5. The Brake Pedal Has No Resistance

Your brake pedal is supposed to have some resistance when you step on it. However, if you step on the pedal and there’s less resistance than usual, or if there’s no resistance at all, then there’s definitely an issue somewhere in the braking system that needs to be repaired promptly.

The signs above can be alarming, but they’re usually not too difficult to fix. Stop by Patterson Chevrolet in Kilgore, TX so one of our factory-trained Chevy technicians can take a look and figure out what the problem is.