AUTOMOTIVE KNOW-HOW: BRAKES

Brakes are one of the most important safety features in your vehicle, and making sure they're working well is critical. There are a few key indicators of potential brake trouble that you should know.

An early warning sound is intentionally built into your brakes. If you hear a squeaking noise, that's an indicator that you should bring your car in to have your brake pads checked and possibly replaced. If you hear a grinding or growling noise when you brake, it is important to bring your car into the shop as soon as possible. That noise may indicate a metal-on-metal situation, which can be costly to repair.

If you feel a pulsation in your pedal when you brake, that might mean your brake rotors are getting warped. We suggest getting your car checked if this happens.

An ABS light on the dashboard may mean that your anti-lock braking system isn't working or working well. This system comes into play when you're skidding or driving on ice or snow.