Why Are My Brakes Squeaking?

 

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What’s that sound? Is there a mouse in the engine? No, it’s just the car’s brakes. So, if it’s not the presence of mischievous rodents, why are my brakes squeaking and squealing?

Here at Andy Mohr Speedway Chevrolet, our service center is familiar with all the reasons that your brakes might be causing a fuss. To share some insight, we’ve put together this guide for brake repair and squeaking brakes for our neighbors near Indianapolis, Fishers, and Carmel, Indiana.

Read on to explore some common causes.

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What’s Happening When I Brake?

Every time you press a brake pedal, you’re making brake components press together. This friction turns the energy of your car’s forward motion into heat. With the energy reduced, your car slows.

Normally, this process isn’t audible from the driver’s seat. If you do hear a sound associated with braking, it means that some of your car’s parts are not pressing together as intended. Ignoring this sign for a while often leads to larger automotive problems.

If your brakes also feel unresponsive or just different, don’t start planning a road trip. It’s best to err on the side of caution and get the brakes looked over as soon as possible.

Short-Term Squeaky Brakes

Sometimes your brakes will emit a squeal for a little bit and then stop. Keep your eyes (and ears) open, but this may not be an issue at all.

Many short-term influences induce brake noise:

• Precipitation, such as rain and snow, can cause small amounts of rust to develop on your brakes. This wears off naturally within a few minutes.
• Sudden braking or severe braking on a steep hill can make a noise. That indicates that you should be lighter on the pedal in the future, but it’s not an ongoing issue.
• Dirt, including dust or sand, sometimes makes its way into brakes. It may require some brake lubricant, or it might work itself out.

Some drivers notice their brakes grinding a bit first thing in the morning. If this is a common part of your commute, it’s likely due to dew. Moisture accumulates overnight in your brakes. Once they’ve shaken the water out, your brakes will quiet down.

Brakes That Need Attention

Chronically squeaking brakes are an annoyance, plus they indicate that your car requires service. In fact, many brake pads have a piece of metal built in that’s supposed to squeal. When your brake pads are new, the metal is buried in their rubber. When the rubber wears away to the point of exposing the metal, it’s time to replace the part.

This sound will be a consistent, high-pitched squeak whenever you brake. Meanwhile, grinding rather than squeaking indicates metal-to-metal contact. It probably means that it’s time to replace both your brake pads and your rotors.

Quiet Your Brakes at Our Service Center

There’s nothing like professional expertise when you want to correctly solve and fix an automotive mystery. If you’re an Indianapolis, Fishers, or Carmel, IN, driver with noisy brakes, our dealership is prepared to help. We’ll answer the question, “Why are my brakes squeaking?” We’ll then perform whatever repairs are required.

Schedule a service appointment at Andy Mohr Speedway Chevrolet now through the phone or our website.