Brakes
Noises, shaking, brake fluid and when brakes need a pro right away.
9 answers
How long do brake pads last?
Most brake pads last roughly 25,000 to 70,000 miles, and front pads usually wear out before the rears. Stop-and-go city driving, hard braking, heavy loads and softer pad materials wear them faster; mostly highway miles and gentle braking make them last longer. Go by pad thickness and warning signs, not mileage alone.
Do I need new rotors when I replace my brake pads?
Not always. If the rotors are still above the minimum thickness stamped on them and aren't cracked, deeply grooved, heat-damaged or causing a pulsing pedal, new pads can go on the old rotors. If they're below that minimum, or too thin to resurface and stay above it, they have to be replaced, and many thin modern rotors reach that point by the first or second pad change.
- Get it checked soon
Why does my steering wheel shake when I brake?
A steering wheel that shakes only when you brake usually points to the front brake rotors, which have worn unevenly (often called "warped") so the pads grab and release as the wheel turns. Uneven pad deposits, a sticking caliper, lug nuts tightened unevenly, worn suspension parts or a wheel and tire problem can cause the same feeling.
- Get it checked soon
Why does my car pull to one side when I brake?
If the car only pulls when you press the brake, one side is braking harder than the other, and the usual cause is a sticking caliper, a restricted brake hose, or contaminated or uneven pads. If it pulls all the time, even off the brakes, look at tire pressure, tires and alignment first.
- Act now
Why does my brake pedal feel spongy or soft?
A spongy or soft brake pedal most often means air has gotten into the brake fluid, usually through a leak, a rusted brake line, or low fluid. Other causes are old water-logged fluid, a failing master cylinder, or a leaking caliper or wheel cylinder. Don't keep driving on it: have the brakes inspected right away.
- Get it checked soon
Is it safe to drive with the ABS light on?
Usually your regular brakes still work with the ABS light on, but the anti-lock system is switched off, so the wheels can lock and skid in a hard stop, especially on wet or icy roads. You can drive carefully to a shop, but don't put it off; if the red brake warning light is also on, stop driving and have the car checked.
- Act now
Why is my brake warning light on?
The red brake warning light (BRAKE, or a circle with an exclamation mark) most often means the parking brake isn't fully released or the brake fluid is low. If it stays on after the parking brake is all the way off, treat it as a brake problem: check the fluid level and have the brakes inspected before you keep driving.
- Get it checked soon
Why are my brakes squealing or grinding?
A high-pitched squeal when you brake usually means the pads are getting thin (many have a small metal tab built in to squeal as a warning), though moisture, debris or glazed pads can cause it too. A grinding or scraping sound often means the pads are worn down to their metal backing and are cutting into the rotors, so get the brakes inspected right away.
How often should brake fluid be changed?
Change brake fluid on the schedule in your owner's manual, which ranges from every two years (Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen) to three years (Honda, Acura) to no set interval on many GM, Ford and Chrysler models. If your manual gives none, have the fluid tested every year or two and change it when the test fails, the fluid looks dark, or the pedal feels soft.