Have you been driving around and had to ask yourself, “Why are my brakes squeaking?” This is a common issue that occurs to many people who drive frequently going on about their everyday activities. There could be several causes for why this is happening.
Even after you just come from the auto shop and get some new brake pads, squeaking can still happen. Don’t be alarmed though- it’s not all doom and gloom for your brakes. Knowing about why this is happening will help you determine what to do next and whether you need to replace brake pads.
Interested in learning more? Continuing reading to find out all of the important information regarding squeaking coming from your brakes.
Moisture from Rain and Snow
A very common cause for brakes that have a squeaking sound usually comes from the moisture in the air as you drive. This can be from bad weather like rain or heavy snow, that can build up on pads and rotors. The water on the metal can allow rust to build up over time and cause noise while driving.
This is something that goes away with time, since the rust will get scraped away as the metal moves while driving. The noise can be annoying, but is not as serious an issue for brakes as other causes.
Some refer to this as warming or heating up brakes after a car hasn’t been used since the previous night. Once the brakes heat up and the rust is scraped away, the noise should subside.
The same weather conditions that affect your brakes can also impact the quality of tires while driving your car. While you make sure that your brakes are up to high quality standards, you should do the same for your tires as well. The Treads App Tire Subscription Service is a good option to stay vigilant about the tires on your vehicle, allowing for multiple parts of your vehicle safe and secure all around.
Brake Materials Are Noisy
Another common cause of noise from brakes is the material used for brake pads. For modern cars, their brake pads are made with metallic and ceramic materials. This is due to their ability to slow vehicles down better, however their effectiveness also makes them noisier compared to other kinds of materials.
This isn’t an inconvenience that needs to be fixed immediately, nor should it be a major cause for concern. Your brakes are working exactly as they should be. Over time, the squeaking sound will eventually go away as your brakes are used more driving around.
Poor Brake Installation and Parts
What if you’ve found yourself just coming out of the auto shop after diagnosing your breaks and having new pads installed? The squeaking sound could be due to poor installation of your brake pads. Not every mechanic you visit may have the same level of quality or best materials to work with. It’s always an important thing to double check your vehicle and the work done to it before leaving the shop.
How this happens is with a poorly lubricated caliper. This can be a problem when you’re trying to slow down the car while moving, and the brake pad wears down. This causes a loud noise while in motion, sometimes being a hissing or grinding type of sound. If you’re concerned this might be the case, it’s best to bring your car back to the mechanic to correct the problem.
Worn parts around your breaks can also be cause for concern, which may also require you to visit the mechanic. Depending on how much you’ve driven in your car and where you’re driving, this might require cleaning and replacement of parts, in addition to your brakes.
Proper Solutions for Noisy Brakes
There are a lot of options for dealing with brake pads squeaking. If you find yourself with no other choice than to actively address the noise, then you can do any one of a few things. Either replacing the brake pads entirely or adding an anaerobic adhesive to them.
Replacing brake pads is simple to do either on your own or through your mechanic. You can check your brake pad wear indicator, the metal tab by the disc, to see if they need to be replaced. By the time you hear a loud scraping sound, it’s a good indicator that the brake pads should be replaced.
If you continue, you hear a sound from the brakes after they are replaced, it’s most likely due to the material from the new pads. Again, this squeaking sound is harmless and will subside after using the newly installed brake pads.
Taking Care of Brakes On the Road
Even with everything mentioned to replace and maintenance brakes to avoid hearing sounds from them, the way you drive can also help with this. The wear and tear of your brakes comes from using them as you drive, so taking better care to drive safer and smarter can extend their usefulness.
Instead of slamming hard on your brakes when you want to stop or slow down, try to drive slower and be more alert of your surroundings. This also means letting your car have ample room ahead to slow down without using your brakes so much. If you’re not driving too fast already, you won’t have to use your brakes as much to stop your car from moving.
Why are My Brakes Squeaking?
You should now have the answer to your question, “Why are my brakes squeaking?” Being safe on the road requires you to be responsible and informed about the best options for your vehicle.
If you want to learn more about other great options for improving your vehicle, visit Treads App website to find information and services for tires and much more. The Treads App Tire Subscription lets you keep track of when you need to replace your tires, and even get on-demand roadside assistance when you need it most.
