When it comes to an automobile, few things are as important as the brake system. A properly functioning brake system keeps you and other drivers on the road safe, so when brakes start to go bad it can become a dangerous situation. Luckily, your vehicle will give you signs that your brake system needs attention. Some common signs that you need to take your automobile in for a brake service include:   

Strange Noises While Braking

When brakes are in good repair, there should be no sounds while braking. Typically you will hear squealing first when your brakes need attention- this is a sign that your brake pads are wearing out  and need to be replaced. If you fail to have your brake pads replaced when you first hear the squealing, you may begin to hear a grinding sound while braking. This indicates that your brake pads are completely worn out and need to be replaced right away-- if you continue to drive while your vehicle makes grinding sounds when braking you can severely damage the rotors, which can be very expensive to replace.

Dashboard Indicator Light

Almost all vehicles have an indicator light on the dashboard for the brake system. Depending on the make and model of your car, the light may say BRAKES or ABS-- when this light comes on it typically means that your vehicle is low on brake fluid. In this situation, you should take your vehicle to a mechanic since low brake fluid often means that there is a leak in your brake line. After the leak is repaired, a mechanic can refill your brake fluid to the proper level.

Vehicle Pulls When Braking

Many people think that pulling in one direction when stopping a car is a sign of an alignment issue, but in many cases a brake problem is to blame. If you have this problem it can be caused by several different issues, such as low brake fluid, brakes that maladjusted, or brakes that have just become worn out over time and need to be replaced. 

Vibrations 

It can be alarming to feel your steering wheel, brake pedal, or even your whole car vibrate when you are braking, and this is a problem that needs to be fixed as quickly as possible (by professionals such as those from Alignment Center). A lot of the time vibrations while braking is a sign that the rotors are badly warped and need to be replaced. While replacing the rotors can be costly, driving with bad rotors can be very dangerous.