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Your brakes and tires are two crucial parts of your vehicle that you want in good condition all the time. Unfortunately, they will wear down and need replacing. Make sure you pay attention to these important warning signs, so you know when it’s time to replace your brakes and tires.
Uneven or Excessive Tread Wear
A visual inspection of your tires can often tell you when it’s time to replace them. When you look at your tires, check for signs of uneven or excessive wear on the treads. Misaligned tires, improper inflation, and problems with the suspension can all cause uneven tread wear. Most new tires come with tread wear indicator bars that appear when it’s time to get new tires. You can also use a penny to check the treadwear. If you put a penny head down in the tread and see the top of Lincoln’s head, you need to replace your tires.
Cracks or Cuts
In addition to inspecting the tread on your tires, you also want to check the sidewall of the tires. The sidewall is the vertical area on the side of the tire. It protects the cord plies and features important information such as the tire type and size. If you notice any cracks, cuts, bulges, or blisters on the sidewall, you need to replace the tire right away. These deformities signal potential weak spots that could cause the tire to fail while you’re driving.
Odd Noises
While it’s easy to inspect your tires visually and know when they need replacing, it’s not always possible to see your brakes. Instead, you need to listen to your brakes and pay attention to the way your vehicle feels when you’re braking. High-pitched squealing, scraping, grinding, and scratching noises could be a sign that your brake pads have worn down, and the rotor disc is coming into contact with part of the caliper. When this happens, you need to take your vehicle to your mechanic as soon as possible to avoid brake failure.
Irregular Movements
Unusual movements or feelings when you brake are other signs that you need to replace your brakes. These irregular movements can include pulling to one side or the other, a pulsing or throbbing sensation when you press down on the brake pedal, a brake pedal that feels soft or goes all the way down when you step on it, and the need for increased stopping distance are all warning signs that your brakes are failing and you need to take your vehicle to the mechanic.
Indicator Lights
Some vehicles have an indicator light on the dashboard that will come on when you need to replace the brake pads. Your owner’s manual will tell you if your vehicle has this low-pad warning system. If the light does come on, your mechanic will be able to replace the sensors and brake pads.
To make sure your vehicle is working properly and safe to drive, be sure to pay attention to these important signs that you need to replace your brakes and tires.
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