5 Signs Your Toyota’s Brakes Need Attention

Brakes don’t usually go from perfect to completely worn out overnight. Most of the time, your Toyota gives you some warning first. The trick is noticing those signs before they turn into a more expensive repair or, more importantly, a braking problem you don’t want to deal with in traffic. Here are five things worth paying attention to.

1. You Hear Squealing

A high-pitched squeal when braking is one of the most familiar warning signs. Some brake pads use a wear indicator designed to make noise as the pad material gets low. Not every squeak means the brakes are worn out, but a persistent noise is worth having checked.

2. You Feel Vibration

If the steering wheel or brake pedal vibrates while you’re slowing down, there may be an issue with the brake rotors or another part of the braking system.  It could be ferocious at times and feel like it’s going to shake you off the road. The vibration may be mild at first, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored.

3. The Pedal Feels Different

Drivers get used to how their own vehicle feels. If the brake pedal suddenly feels softer, harder, lower, or otherwise different from normal, pay attention. Changes in pedal feel can have several causes, and some are more urgent than others. This isn’t a good time for the “maybe it’ll go away” strategy.

4. The Vehicle Takes Longer to Stop

This can sneak up on you because brake performance may change gradually. If you find yourself pressing harder than you used to or leaving noticeably more room to stop, have the system inspected. Tires, road conditions, and other factors can affect stopping distance, too, but weakening brake performance deserves a closer look.

5. A Brake Warning Light Comes On

This one is fairly straightforward. If a brake-system warning light appears, don’t simply cover it with a piece of tape and carry on. Some warning lights can indicate something as simple as the parking brake being engaged, while others may point to an issue that needs attention. Check the owner’s manual and have the vehicle inspected if the warning remains on.

Brakes Are Better Checked Early

Routine inspections can catch worn pads and other problems before they turn into larger repairs. They can also give you a better idea of how much life remains in the brakes instead of waiting until you hear grinding. For some drivers, you can get away with a set of brakes for 60,000 miles or more. For others, it might be under 20,000 miles. Much of it depends on how you use your vehicle day to day, and the more stopping you do, the more wear there is on the brakes.

If your Toyota is making brake noise, vibrating when stopping, or simply doesn’t feel the way it normally does, schedule a visit with Toyota of West County. A brake inspection can help you figure out what’s happening and what, if anything, needs to be replaced.