5 Signs Your Brakes Are Trying to Tell You Something

Your brakes are the single most important safety system on your vehicle, and they rarely fail without warning. The trouble is that most drivers ignore the early signs until stopping distances grow dangerous — or a cheap pad replacement turns into an expensive rotor-and-caliper job.

Listen for a high-pitched squeal, which usually means the wear indicators are contacting the rotor. A deep grinding sound means the pads are gone and metal is scoring your rotors. A brake pedal that feels soft or sinks toward the floor can indicate air or a leak in the hydraulic system. If your car pulls to one side when braking, a sticking caliper may be the cause. And any vibration through the pedal or steering wheel often points to warped rotors.