As you surely know, brakes are the yin to the accelerator’s yang – they keep your car in check as you drive down the road. If you’re putting excessive pressure on your European car’s brakes, such as during a spirited drive in the mountains, they can begin to overheat. This leaves you and your car vulnerable to accidents. Eurotech Auto Service & Repair gives you a rundown of what can make your brakes overheat, and signs that they are doing so. The bottom line is this: if you find yourself with overheating brakes, pull over and let them cool off. Your car will thank you.
What Can Make Your Brakes Overheat?
The most common reason for overheating brakes is having your foot on the brake pedal too much. You might not even realize that you’re doing it. Constant friction can get things seriously hot, so be aware of how much you are applying the brakes. Of course, sometimes you have no choice but to apply the brakes frequently, such as in traffic, on a steep downward hill, or in heavy-weather conditions. During these times you’ll need to be especially cognizant of a couple signs that your brakes are too hot, which we will discuss next.
Signs That Your Brakes Are Too Hot
Three big things to be aware of: sights, sounds and smells. First, if you hear anything coming from your brake region, it’s best to pull over and assess the situation as soon as possible. Common sounds include squealing, screeching, or scraping. This happens when the system presses against itself – worn parts will create these grinding sounds once they get too old. When the friction becomes great enough, it can also start to release bad smells. If your brake fluid is too hot, you will smell a burning smell with a note of chemicals. You also might smell a burning carpet smell – this means your pads are too hot. Finally, if you start to see your brakes smoking, pull over immediately. This is a clear sign of impending failure.
The Danger of Overheating Brakes
If the above signs are not heeded, then your brakes will ultimately fail. The last thing any of us wanted is for disaster to strike, so be sure to pull over immediately if you notice any of the tell-tale sights, sounds, or smells that indicate overheating brakes on your European automobile.
Eurotech Auto Service & Repair is standing by to perform a full brake inspection on your European vehicle. Our certified mechanics are here for you and your car – we’ll treat it like it was our own. Give us a call to schedule service.