If your brakes are consistently squeaking, squealing or grinding, you might be tempted to write it off. After all, cars make weird sounds all the time, right?

Not quite. The fact is that squeaky brakes can be cause for concern. It’s best to take your car in for a check with a trusted mechanic as soon as those brakes act up.

Read on to find out about how brake maintenance is important for your car.

Why are my brakes squeaking?

Brakes are put under a lot of stress. When you press the brake pedal and things work perfectly, you might think it’s a relatively simple process—but there’s plenty going on behind the scenes that you don’t notice.

Disc brakes are most commonly used in today’s cars. These utilize pads to press against a rotor or disc when pressure is applied to the brakes. Drum brakes work a bit differently, using a curved shoe that presses into a hollow drum. These brakes are mostly used only on the rear wheels.

No matter what kind of brakes you have, there are some common culprits when it comes to squeaky brakes:

  • Debris, dust or gravel gets caught in the brakes. This is a quick fix—remove the problem, and the brakes are fine again.
  • Moisture collects in the brake rotors overnight. Unfortunately, this can rust the brakes over time. Keeping your car in a garage will make this less likely to occur.
  • Poor installation of brakes can also be a problem. If a mechanic used poor materials or the brakes weren’t installed properly, this could be the source of the noise.
  • Colder temperatures during the winter may also be why your brakes are squeaking. For those who live in cold weather climates, this is just a reality you’ll have to live with.
  • Traveling with heavy loads. Putting heavy loads on the car may cause the brakes to overheat, resulting in those irritating sounds. Make sure you’ve read your car’s manual and have a good grasp on how much you should be loading into the vehicle.
  • Your vehicle’s wear indicator could be providing a signal. This is a metal tab that scrapes against another metal part. When your disc brakes need to be replaced, this indicator will make a squealing sound.

How to stop squealing brakes

Brakes are a complex part of the car. You don’t want to do brake maintenance on your own. It’s better to trust a licensed auto repair shop to do the work. Here are a few things they may do to ensure that your brakes are up to snuff:

  • Lubricating the calipers is important for the brakes to function well.
  • Brake pad shims between the rotors and pads may need to be replaced to prevent friction.
  • The brake pads and rotors will need to be replaced. Most cars require this every 50,000 miles.

If you need help with your brakes, check out what Coastal Diesel Injection has to offer. We’re your one-stop shop for diesel repair and performance. Our services are backed by industry experience, and we work with only the highest-quality products. Stop by our shop today or give us a call to set up an appointment.