You need good brakes to make your vehicle safe to drive. In our experience, an annual inspection and brake service helps keep your brakes in great shape and ready for thousands more miles of travel. Unfortunately, many people don’t think about their brakes until there’s something wrong with them. That can lead to costly repairs. You can avoid that problem with regular service by looking for the following three signs that it’s time to take your car in to have the brakes serviced.

1. Brakes Have Reached Their Service Limit

You can check your owner’s manual to see how long brake pads and other parts should last on your car. According to Kelley Blue Book, brakes require replacement about every 50,000 miles. When you take them in for regular servicing, they can last much longer by replacing the brake pads as they wear thin. The brake fluid also requires replacement at regular intervals to make your brakes work their best and last longer. Regular and affordable maintenance is the key to making your brakes last longer than 50,000 miles.

2. You Hear Metallic Sounds While Braking

The first sign that it’s beyond time for brake service is when you hear a high-pitched metallic sound while braking at low speeds. You might notice it only while backing out of a parking space or when pulling in and coming to a stop. That sound tells you the brake pads are worn too thin, which causes the metal rivets that hold the friction material to be exposed. When they're exposed, they contact the brake rotor and cause that sound. Ignoring it only lets it get worse and might lead to a complete loss of braking power.

3. Brake Pedal Feels Soft

You should know how much pressure to put on the brake pedal to make the brakes work and how far your car will travel before coming to a safe stop. If the brake pedal feels spongy and you have to pump the pedal to get full braking power, there’s a problem with the brakes. You might have a bad master cylinder that needs replacing. It could also be water or air in the brake lines. In these situations, the brake fluid might be too old and worn out or it might leak and let air into the brake lines.

You can call or visit Kirby's Garage for brake service. This includes routine maintenance or repairs as needed to ensure your brakes and vehicle are safe. Call us today for same-day service.