Stop driving and get help now if
Driving with these signs is unsafe. Have the car towed or checked where it stands, and don't try to drive it to a far workshop.
- The brake pedal feels soft, goes to the floor, or sinks slowly while you hold it.
- The brake warning light stays on.
- You hear loud metal-on-metal grinding every time you brake.
- You can see or smell brake fluid leaking near a wheel.
Get it checked soon if
- A high-pitched squeal when braking lightly. It is often a sign the pads are getting thin, but it can also be dust or moisture, so have it looked at.
- The car pulls to one side when you brake, or the steering wheel shakes.
- The pedal feels hard or needs much more push than before.
- A burning smell after a long downhill drive. Stop, let the brakes cool, and have them checked.
Talking to the mechanic
Tell him exactly what you hear and when: at low speed, at high speed, only the first time in the morning. Ask him to show you the worn pads or discs. Pads wear down and are normally changed in pairs on the same axle, and brake fluid is also changed from time to time as your manual says. Don't ask a mechanic to just "loosen" or remove something to silence the noise.