BY SOLO INSURANCE® Updated 7/24/25
What are the signs your brakes need repair or replacement? When your brakes try to tell you something, are you paying attention? Your brakes will give you signals that they need some attention. Therefore, as drivers, it’s important to know the signs for your safety. Finding out they’re not working at the wrong time could cause dire consequences.
Will your brakes work?
The time to pose this question is before you need them. Did you know that when you step on the car’s brakes you’re initializing a complex system of mechanical components? They must work together to safely bring your vehicle to a stop. Since the average car weighs about 3 to 5 tons, the fact that your brakes help stop this heavy machine within a few yards, countless times per year, is witness to their reliability. You need your brakes to always be there for you at a moment’s notice.
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However, everything mechanical will have problems from time to time. Preventive and proactive maintenance is your best bet. Periodically, you will need to have your brakes serviced, repaired or replaced.
Let’s consider six of the warning signs that will usually indicate that it’s time for a brake check.
6 warning signs to pay attention to your brakes
What are the brake system’s warning signals? Signals vary, it’s a great idea to acquaint yourself with them so you’re aware. Here are some things to notice as you’re driving.
Four signs you can notice when driving:
- You Hear a High-Pitched Squeal
Listen for a high-pitched squeal. The details: Brake pads contain a metal component known as an indicator. Over time, the pads will wear down and expose the indicator. At this time, the exposed indicator will rub against your rotator, causing a loud, high-pitched and unmistakable squealing sound. This is a clear indicator that you need to at least change your brake pads.
- The Brake Warning Light Turns On
A brake warning light comes on. The details: Your brake warning light is designed to turn on when problems within the braking system are detected. Sometimes, the light will come on and turn off sporadically, which can make drivers feel tempted to ignore the signal. However, even one light-up of the brake light is an indication that you need to make an appointment with the mechanic.
- The Brake Pedal Goes to the Floor
Your brake pedal is getting closer to the floor. The Details: Sometimes, you might be depressing your brake pedal only to feel the pressure give way and the pedal goes to the floor. This could mean that you have a bad master cylinder. You need the master cylinder to work appropriately to have appropriate brake pressure to stop the vehicle.
- Your Brakes Pulsate
You feel a vibration. The details: Brake rotors sometimes become warped or corroded, which can lead to you feeling a pulsating vibration when you try to stop the car. You might need to replace the brake rotors or to have them “turned.” Turning involves smoothing the rotor by shaving metal off.
Two signs that require a closer look
If you’re noticing any of the four signs above, you could also inspect your brake fluid and brake lines (or have a mechanic do so).
- Your Brake Fluid Looks Milky
If there’s condensation in your brake line, it can give your brake fluid a milky color. If so, you should change the fluid. Letting it sit or get worse could do damage to the master cylinder and wheel cylinders. Your owner’s manual will include directions to help you locate the fluid container under your hood.
- Your Brake Lines Are Rusty
Inspect the brake lines for any signs of rust. It indicates that corrosion has started. This includes flaking or lifting of the outer coating on the brake lines. Rusted brake lines can become disjointed and cause fluid to spill. Brake lines have a very thin protective coating that will wear out over time, and which can expose the metal under the coating to rust. A small amount of rust is okay, but heavy flaking or bubbling rust is not.
You’re caring precious cargo
Though maintenance isn’t covered by auto insurance, at Solo we care about your safety. Because you and your loved ones are precious, please remember to have your brakes checked regularly. Avoid costly repairs and potential brake failure by recognizing the signs of problem brakes. If your brakes feel weak and require more stopping distance than usual, get them checked. It’s always better to do maintenance rather than expensive overhauls and replacements. Your safety literally is riding on this one.
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