Need Help?
(770) 951-8055

Signs My SUV’s Brakes Are Overheating

Signs My SUV’s Brakes Are Overheating

Signs My SUV’s Brakes Are Overheating

If you suspect that your SUV’s brakes are overheating, pull over right away and call for a tow truck. When the brake system overheats, it may become difficult if not impossible to stop your SUV. We will explain more below. It is better to be safe than sorry. Have your SUV towed to our auto service shop so we can inspect the brakes to determine the reason why they are overheating. We will provide you with a detailed estimate of the necessary repairs for your approval.

Constant Squealing Noises

One sign that the brakes on your SUV are overheating is a constant squealing noise. You will hear this noise every time you apply the brakes. The reason why the brakes are squealing is that the brake pads and rotors have glazed. What this means is that their surfaces have become smooth. When this happens, they not only make a squealing noise but are also unable to generate friction. The brake system in your SUV needs this friction to convert it to kinetic energy. It is this kinetic energy that slows down and stops your SUV. This is one reason why overheated brakes can fail.

Noticeable Burning Odors

Another reason why the brakes may fail is that the brake fluid will start to boil in the brake system. This creates air bubbles that can cause your brake pedal to sink all the way to the floor. The boiling brake fluid will smell like burning chemicals. Unfortunately, this, too, means that you might not be able to stop your SUV. If you smell burning chemicals and the brakes are squealing, the brake system is definitely overheating. Pull over and have your SUV towed to our shop.

Another odor you may detect is the odor of burning carpets. This is an odor that the brake pads release once they have glazed. This, too, points to a hot brake system. Find a safe place to park the SUV and allow the brake system to cool. If the brake system overheats when you start driving again, definitely have the SUV towed to our shop. The brake system is going to overheat every time that you tried to use it. If you keep driving, you may lose the brake system.

We are here to help, so call us today for brake repair services if your brakes are overheating. We know we’ve said it a few times, but, again, it’s better to have your SUV towed to our shop than to drive it. We do not want you to get into an automobile accident.

 

Why Do My Brakes Squeal All the Time?

Why Do My Brakes Squeal All the Time?

Everybody can hear you stopping. Your brakes have been squealing like crazy lately, and you have no idea why. Advantage Auto Service can help. We can find out why your brakes keep squealing. Chances are, the problem is one of the common reasons for squealing brakes that we are listing below. Regardless of the issue, it’s important to have your squealing brakes inspected right away.

Your Brake Pads Are Low

As your brake pads wear down, they may begin to squeal every time you use your brakes. This isn’t necessarily a common sign. Oftentimes, you will hear noises until the brake pads have worn down to their backings. At that time, you will hear grinding every time you step on the brakes. Some people also describe the sound as scraping, and it is the brake pad backings scraping against the rotors. If left unfixed, the brake pad backings will damage the rotors.

You’ve Got a Low Indicator Warning

Brakes will also squeal while you are driving if you have an indicator embedded in the brake pads that is designed to make noise once the brake pad level reaches 1/4-of-an-inch. This is the time that the brake pads need to be replaced, as they will not have enough surface to continue to stop your car effectively. The brake pad surface is a friction-inducing surface, and without that friction, it’s much harder to stop your automobile. The indicator will squeal when you’re driving and stop when you brake.

Your Brakes Are Overheating

If you have a bad habit of riding your brakes, or if you are stuck in a situation where you have to ride the brakes, your brakes will begin to overheat. Riding the brakes means that you keep your foot on the brake pedal and unintentionally engage the brakes all the time. As the brake pads rub against the brake rotors, the excess friction overheats the pads and the rotors. This is called “glazing,” and your overheated brakes will squeal every time you use them.

You’ve Got Part Damage

Finally, sometimes when brake parts get damaged or are not working as they should, your brakes will squeal. The most common problems include broken anti-rattle clips, which are the clips that keep the brake calipers in place; worn out brake pad insulation shims; incorrectly installed pad insulation; no pad insulation; and an incorrect rotor surface cut, or no surface cut on the rotors at all. Any one of these things can make your brakes squeal when you use them.

Call or stop by Advantage Auto Service in Marietta, GA, for brake inspection and repair services. We’ll get to the bottom of the reason why your brakes are squealing and fix it.

Why Your Brake Pedal is Hard to Push Down

Why Your Brake Pedal is Hard to Push Down

Why Your Brake Pedal is Hard to Push Down

Imagine you’re driving down the road, and suddenly you need to stop, but it feels like you literally have to stand on your brake pedal to get it to go down. This issue is not only dangerous, but it can also be extremely frustrating. So, what causes the brake pedal to stick, and how can you fix it? Check out this helpful guide that explains some common causes of a sticking brake pedal and how to remedy the problem.

Get Rid of the Sludge

Your brake fluid absorbs water, and this can cause nasty to sludge to buildup as time goes on, accumulating in the braking system. This icky buildup will make it feel like your brakes are failing, but it likely just needs to be cleaned out. Check your brake fluid by removing the cap from the reservoir. Scrape the reservoir using a flathead screwdriver, and take a closer look at what comes out. If the fluid is dirty, thick, and dark it likely needs to be flushed and replaced. You can take your vehicle to a certified mechanic for a total brake fluid flush service and this should remedy the issue.

Vacuum Loss

If your vehicle has power brakes, the engine vacuum is what provides it with the power it needs to operate. This technology has actually been used since around the early 1950s, so it’s nothing new to most experienced mechanics. The process works by using vacuum from the engine intake manifold, which multiplies the force applied to your brake pedal, making it easier for you to come to a complete stop. If the front seal is damaged, it can cause an issue with this vacuum system. It could also cause the rear seal on your master cylinder to fail. You can tell this is a problem if you see drops down the front of the booster, which may mean the entire booster and master cylinder needs to be replaced.

A hose located between the engine and the booster is what creates the vacuum effect. Check this hose and look for any cracks or other signs of damage. You can replace the hose by loosening the nuts that secure the mastery cylinder to the booster. If you don’t see any leaks, start your engine and lightly press down on the brake pedal. Listen carefully for a strange hissing noise. If you hear it, this means the front booster seal is leaking and needs to be replaced. When in doubt, always take your vehicle in for professional service so you can brake safely and in confidence.

For all your brake service and repair needs, contact Advantage Auto Service in Marietta, GA at 770-268-2892 to schedule an appointment today!

 

How Can I Tell if My Brake Fluid Level Is Low?

How Can I Tell if My Brake Fluid Level Is Low?

How Can I Tell if My Brake Fluid Level Is Low?

You can tell if your brake fluid is low by looking at the fluid level in the reservoir, but this does not necessarily mean that you should add brake fluid to the reservoir, even if reads low. It’s more complicated than adding a quart of oil to your engine if it needs oil. Brake fluid levels change as the brake pads wear down, and low brake fluid levels are more of an indicator that you need your brakes serviced rather than more brake fluid. Advantage Auto Service explains this further below.

Low Brake Fluid Causes

To flesh this out further, your brake fluid will get low if your brake pads are worn out. This why we say low brake fluid could be a sign of a need for brake system maintenance rather than a leak or other problem. As your brake pads wear down, the caliper piston extends farther to press the calipers into the pads. This draws more brake fluid into the braking system and out of the reservoir, which makes it look as if you are low on brake fluid when you actually are not.

Mechanical causes of low brake fluid include leaks and damaged brake lines. Your brake system can leak from the brake lines, calipers, hoses, or the master cylinder. If you have a leak, you will see a low level of brake fluid in the reservoir, but you should also see brake fluid on your garage floor. Brake fluid is light brown to dark brown and very oily to the touch. Your brake lines are made of steel, and they can rust if exposed to excess moisture, which can damage them and cause leaks.

Signs of Brake Fluid Troubles

Your vehicle’s brake fluid has a lifespan just as the motor oil does. Generally, that lifespan is 20,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first. Check your owner’s manual to see when your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends brake service and stick to that schedule to avoid brake trouble. Signs you’ve got a problem with the brake fluid in your car, truck, or SUV include

  • Dirty and/or discolored brake fluid
  • Low brake fluid levels
  • Mushy or soft brake pedal
  • Brake light warning

If you notice any of these signs, or if you just checked your brake fluid level and it’s low in the reservoir, call Advantage Auto Service in Atlanta, GA. You don’t want to top off the brake fluid without understanding why it’s low; otherwise, excess fluid will overflow onto the engine. We’ll inspect the brakes and perform any necessary maintenance or repairs to fix your low brake fluid problem.