There are several tell-tale signs to look out for when applying your brakes Squealing – there are many reasons why brakes squeal. It may be that a piston in the brake caliper is stuck and the brakes pad remains partially applied to the rotor. Some pads have wear indicators that scrape when worn to let the driver know the pads need changing. This may be a good reason to have the brakes inspected. Pulling – Does your car pull to the left or right when you apply the brakes, especially at higher speeds? This is usually symptomatic of a sticking hydraulic component such as a seized caliper in front of the car on one side. An inspection can identify the reason for the vehicle pulling to one side. Scraping – when the friction material on brake pads are heavily worn, this can result in a grinding noise as the brake pad has worn down its metal base plate. This will likely damage the brake rotor also. Pulsating – If you feel a constant vibration from the brake pedal whenever you apply the brakes, this suggests the brake rotor has become warped due to excessive heat. This can also happen by the thinning of the rotor over time. these vibrations occur when the brake disc is distorted and no longer has a perfectly flat surface, when the brake pads make contact. You should have this checked out if you are concerned or it happens regularly. Sponginess – If the brake pedal feels spongy and the brakes seem less responsive. This is a sign that air is in the brakes lines and is preventing the brake fluid from flowing through this system effectively. Having your mechanic bleed the brake will solve this problem. Soft Brake Pedal – if the brake pedal goes all the way to the floor, this could mean a serious braking system problem which you should have inspected immediately. A brake pedal that is soft and can be pushed all the way to the floor usually means the brake fluid is either low or worst case ineffective and needs replacing, There can be several other potential reasons such as a faulty master cylinder or brake booster. Brake Light On – if the brake warning light illuminates on your instrument panel either continuously or when you apply the brakes it may mean the brake fluid level is critically low. This could also indicate a leak in the brake hoses. In modern cars it can also mean that the ABS system has a fault in it. The ABS warning light will be illuminated simultaneously. High Handbrake – If the handbrake is pulling up higher and does’nt feel tight as it normally does – it may need a cable adjustment. Old Brake Fluid – When your brake fluid gets over 2 years old it may lose its effectiveness since it has hygroscopic properties which means it absorbs moisture over time. This affects the properties of the fluid which has a negative impact on your cars braking ability. Brake fluid should be change approximately every two years. If in doubt check your manufacturers handbook for more information. The best way to be safe while driving is to have your vehicle inspected as quickly as possible when you notice any of the above symptoms. Would you like to know more about how brakes work?