Why Are My Brakes Squeaking? [And How to Fix It]
What if your car was trying to tell you something was wrong, but you didn’t speak its language?
Many California drivers think their automobiles are safe because they get it serviced regularly. Sometimes, however, issues like brake noise crop up in between regular maintenance.
Having the protection of good car insurance can help repair or replace a vehicle after a major accident, but it’s still important for drivers to properly maintain their vehicles throughout the year.
That’s especially true when you’re dealing with squeaky brakes. Are you ready for answers to questions like “Why are my brakes squeaking?” Keep reading to discover the primary causes as well as how to fix squeaky brakes!
Your Brake Pads Are Wearing Thin
You don’t normally hear anything when you apply the brakes, and that’s because your brake pads are in good working order. The most common cause of noisy brakes is that your car’s brake pads are starting to wear thin.
In fact, these pads are designed to make that noise as a reminder for drivers to replace them. If you’re a California driver hearing that annoying squeal, it may simply be time for new pads.
Dust Is Getting Between Your Pads and Rotors
Worn brake pads are one thing, but what if you have newer pads that are still making that noise? If you’ve been asking why your new brakes are squeaking, the most likely answer is that either dust or debris has built up between the pads and rotors.
If that’s the case, you may be able to fix things by applying some cleaner to the affected area. Should the cleaner not get the job done, you may have to sand down the surface in question. If the issue keeps happening, you could make cleaning and sanding part of your preventative maintenance routine.
You May Be Braking Too Aggressively
In some cases, you may be hearing a squeaking noise because you’ve been pushing down on the brakes too hard and too often. How does this work? In short, excess heat on the pads can cause a kind of “glazing” effect. And when the pads are sufficiently glazed, they’ll no longer be able to generate the friction needed to quickly (and quietly) slow your car down.
Glazing usually occurs when drivers are aggressively hitting the brakes, and the faster you’re going, the worse the glazing is likely to be. Even if you’re not a fast driver, riding your brakes downhill can cause the same effect. Either way, the solution is to replace the brake pads and modify your driving habits.
Moisture May Be Affecting Your Brakes
Squeaky brakes can be a scary sound at any time of the day. However, if you hear this noise early in the morning when you apply the brakes, it may not be a mechanical problem. Instead, the real culprit may be the weather.
Your brakes can be affected by overnight moisture. Overnight moisture is caused by everything from rain to snow to humidity, which means there is no season when California drivers can completely avoid it. As the moisture builds up, your rotors may develop a thin layer of rust that causes unwanted noises.
The good news is that such buildup usually goes away after you drive your car around for a little while. If you’d like to keep this from happening, consider parking your car indoors (perhaps in a home garage or a parking garage) whenever possible to prevent moisture from causing problems.
Give Your Car Affordable Insurance Protection Today!
Now you know why you sometimes have squeaky brakes and what to do about it. But do you know who can help protect your vehicle from other unexpected dangers, both on and off the road?
Here at Cost-U-Less, we specialize in keeping California drivers safe by protecting automobiles just like yours. Ready to give your car the insurance coverage and protection it deserves? Call us at (800) 390-4071 or get a fast and free car insurance quote online. You can also visit us in person at a nearby office.
