There are a few obvious indicators that it’s time to maintain your vehicle. Your dashboard can alert you to change your oil, check your engine, or even put air in one of your tires. You may find that your brakes are squeaking when you’re trying to come to a complete stop. This is a sign that you need to maintain your brakes.
If you want to learn how to stop alerting everyone that you’re stopping, today’s article is for you!
Today, we’ll help you learn how to stop brake squeaking. Let’s get started!
What Does It Mean If Your Brakes Squeak?
Squeaking brakes are a sign of a few possible issues. However, the most likely cause of squeaking brakes is aging brake pads. The metal pads wear down, and the squeaking is a warning that you need to replace them. If you put off replacing your brake pads, you could cause damage to your rotors. This would result in a more expensive fix than just brake pads.
Sometimes squeaky brakes can be the result of rust. Any mechanic that works on brakes would be able to help by filing off the rust. While this is a relatively inexpensive fix, there’s an even cheaper way to fix some brake squeaking.
Your brakes may squeak due to moisture. This is especially true after driving in the rain or areas with a lot of water. If you don’t notice the brake squeaking going away after driving for a few miles, you can quickly rule this out as a possibility.
Is It Safe to Drive With Brakes Squeaking?
Unless your brakes have moisture on them, they’re usually not going to fix themselves. If you notice that your brakes begin to squeak when driving, you want to get to a trusted mechanic. The squeaking is an indication that something isn’t right.
You risk causing more extensive damage by continuing to drive on them. You want to know that you can stop your vehicle quickly and efficiently, especially in an emergency.
Pro Tip: We uncovered How Do You Check RV Brakes to ensure you stay safe and sound while on the road!
Do Squeaky Brakes Mean They Need to Be Replaced?
If you have squeaky brakes on your car, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace them. It could be something as simple as rust or moisture. If you put off getting your brakes inspected, there’s a good chance that you’ll end up needing a more extensive brake replacement.
While some brake repairs can be expensive, it’s best to get maintenance done as soon as possible. It’s easy to put off repairs that we know will be costly.
However, if you cause damage to your vehicle or cause an accident because of your brakes, it’ll cost you far more in the long run.
How Long Do Brakes Last After Squeaking?
You should replace your brakes once you start to hear them squeaking. This reduces the chances of causing further damage to your vehicle. However, if you can’t get to the mechanic right away, try not to panic. Some drivers have said they can get an additional 5,000 miles once their brakes start squeaking.
It’s important to note that how long your brakes will last after squeaking has a great deal to do with your driving. If you deal with a lot of stop-and-go traffic, you may not get nearly that much. You may get more if you do primarily interstate or highway driving in low-volume traffic areas.
We think you should play it safe and have a reputable mechanic check out your brakes as soon as you can. This ensures that you and other drivers on the road are as safe as possible.
Pro Tip: Bad brakes aren’t the only common causes of RV issues. We uncovered The Most Common Reasons an RVer Ends Up on the Side of the Road.
How Do I Get My Brakes to Stop Squeaking?
If your brakes don’t have rust or moisture, you may need to replace the brake pads. This is a relatively inexpensive maintenance item, and the cost varies depending on your vehicle.
If you do not need to replace your brakes, there’s a chance that you could get off with a cheaper repair bill. However, taking the car to a mechanic is the only way to guarantee that you’re correctly fixing your brake squeaking.
Can You Put WD 40 On Brakes?
It’s easy to make the mistake of putting WD 40 on your brakes. You’ve likely used WD 40 to fix squeaky door hinges, so why not squeaky brakes?
The only problem is that WD 40 is a lubricant, which is not what you want on your brake pads and other elements. This can reduce the friction between the brake components. While this will temporarily eliminate the squeak, you’re risking not having brakes when you need them most.
How Do Mechanics Fix Squeaky Brakes?
If your brakes are squeaky, a mechanic should get to the root of the problem. There are several methods and products that you can apply to the squeaking components, but these are temporary fixes. You may have silent brakes now, but give it some time, and you’ll often find the squeaky brakes return.
Typically a mechanic is going to need to replace your brake pads. This may cost you a small chunk of change, but it will increase your ability to stop your vehicle quickly. When you need to stop in an emergency, you’ll appreciate having working brakes!
How Much Does It Cost to Fix Squeaky Brakes?
If your brakes are squeaking due to moisture, it’s a very inexpensive fix. It’s free! You’ll only need to take your car for a drive and apply the brakes a time or two. You’ll want to give yourself extra room to stop until the squeak is no longer present.
However, if you need to replace your brake pads, you’re looking at $230 to $600 to replace all four. The cost largely depends on the size and type of your vehicle. Oversized vehicles will have larger braking systems and larger brake pads. So if you’re driving a big truck, don’t let the cost surprise you!
Is It Worth Fixing Squeaky Brakes On Your Own?
Being able to stop your vehicle safely is worth every penny. You don’t want to be traveling at a high rate of speed and realize that you’ve put off replacing your brakes too long. You want to stop quickly and efficiently. If you’re dealing with squeaky brakes, it’s only a matter of time before you cause more damage to the components in your brake system. Stay safe and get your brakes checked out as soon as possible!
Have you ever encountered squeaky brakes? Tell us how you fixed them in the comments!
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