Do not fret when your mechanic informs you that your car needs brake repair. Your squealing brakes are telling you that they are doing the job that they were designed to do; after all, brakes are supposed to wear down. Brake repair is more a necessary part of good car maintenance than the signal of an automotive problem.
Brake pads are intended to alert you to the need for maintenance by scraping and squealing when they have worn down to a certain point, but they are not the only indication that brake repair is warranted. Check your brake fluid levels when your brake light goes on; that usually means that your brake fluid is low and your brakes need to be inspected by a certified technician. Seeing or smelling brake fluid indicates the presence of a leak that should be checked immediately. Rotor surface issues usually manifest themselves through vibrating wheels or brake pedals, and brakes that squeal even after you release the brake pedal mean that your wear indicators are scraping against the rotors. The grinding or growling of metal on metal means, of course, that the pads are completely worn away.
Experts strongly recommend that you have your brakes checked as soon as you sense that something is amiss. You should still have your brakes inspected at least once a year even if nothing appears to be wrong. Certain maintenance tasks should be performed regularly as well in order to keep your brakes in optimal condition and brake repair to a minimum. Be sure to have your brake fluid tested for the presence of metal particles and moisture. If you do not, you will need to replace your calipers and wheel cylinders more frequently. And, while on the subject of brake fluid, keep in mind that you do not need to have the fluid topped off whenever you have any service work done to your car. Full brake fluid levels prevent the brake wear alert system from functioning properly. Keep any metal to metal brake components well lubricated, too, to maintain an effective barrier between the parts.
Lastly, rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Your brakes cannot to their job if your tires are not in top shape. Remember, the brake system stops the wheels, but the friction created between your tires and the road is what stops the entire car.

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by: lucyjones
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