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Squeaking brakes can be scary. You might even think that your brakes are about to fail. This noise is disturbing, but you're not in immediate danger. This noise does, however, mean there's a problem that has to be fixed. As your used car dealer in Pulaski, VA, we want to tell you some of the issues that can cause this noise and how we can fix the problem for you. Worn Brake Pads Brake pads are small components in your brake system that allow your car to stop quickly and easily. The pads fit into the wheel calipers, and they have a thick friction material covering. When you hit the brakes, the calipers are forced against the rotors. The brake pad's friction coverings generate friction against the smooth rotors, and this brings your wheels to a stop. more Each time you brake, some of the friction material covering wears off. When a pad has lost most of this covering, a metal spike becomes visible in the remaining material. The next time you brake, the spike will scratch against the rotor and produce a squealing or squeaking noise. When you hear this sound, it's time to visit us for new pads. Once the pads are replaced, the noise will cease. Moisture on the Pads Squeaking noises from your brakes early in the morning might not be a problem. Rain or snow overnight, or early morning humidity can cause moisture to build up on the rotors. The rotors are the smooth metal disks located behind your wheels. The moisture can cause a thin layer of rust to build up on the rotors. If this has happened, the friction material on the pads will grind against the rust layer and make a squeaking noise when you brake. It will make a similar sound to the door in your house with the slightly rusted hinges that you keep meaning to oil. If the squeaking persists, our technicians need to examine your rotors. They could have a more serious case of rust that we need to remove to fix this problem. Fast Braking If you often have to ride your brakes, for example driving down a winding road, or if you repeatedly brake fast, this can cause a change in your brake pads. In both these situations, your brake pads are kept in contact with the rotors for prolonged periods. This can make the pads develop a smooth, glass-like surface, which is known as glazing. A glazed pad is dangerous, as it doesn't provide the friction necessary to stop the rotor. When a glazed pad connects with the rotor, it makes a squeaking noise. We'll examine your pads and replace any glazed ones. We can fix that annoying squeaking sound. Visit our service department today at Duncan Suzuki.

Brake failure while on the road is one of the greatest fears of any driver. Fortunately, you can almost certainly avoid this scary prospect with routine brake service. Not only does regular brake servicing keep you safer on the road, but it also provides many other driving benefits. Here are six solid reasons to have periodical brake servicing visits to your nearest used car dealer. You're Safer on the Road We'll begin with the most important benefit: having your brakes serviced twice a year helps ensure that potential problems are caught and fixed early on. Without regular brake servicing, small issues with your fluid, hoses, brake pads, rotors, or calipers can slowly worsen until you suddenly lose brake function altogether. more You Reduce the Costs of Major Repairs With your dental health, it's far better to have the dentist identify and repair a problem before it becomes something very painful and expensive to fix. It's the same with your brakes: the relatively minor cost of routine service visits greatly offsets the far more costly issues that can develop if left unattended. You See Problems Coming in Advance Whenever a technician takes a look at your brakes, they can inform you roughly how much longer your brake pads, fluid, and rotors will last. Knowing in advance when parts will need to be replaced can provide you with great peace of mind. Your Handling Is Improved The more often you have your brakes serviced, the more responsive they'll be. This provides far more control over your car, boosting your handling, safety, and pleasure of driving. You Improve Your Driving Habits Many drivers are unaware that they have poor driving habits, such as riding the brakes. Failing to adjust gears properly on steeper roads also puts more pressure on the brakes. When a technician regularly inspects your brakes and sees how rapidly they're wearing down, they can sometimes help you to understand if you have any such brake-heavy driving habits. Once you're aware of a bad habit, you can take steps to shake it off. You Boost Your Car's Resale Value Well-kept cars command a higher price on the second-hand markets. Most used car buyers will be delighted to find a car with brakes still in excellent condition, but this requires routine service visits. And be sure to save your documentation from those visits to prove that you had them. How a Car Dealer Services Your Brakes During a routine brake servicing visit, the technician will check your brake fluid and all the brake lines for signs of a leak. If necessary, they'll flush the fluid and bleed air from the brake lines. They'll raise your car to remove and inspect every inch of the brake pads, rotors, and calipers. Any worn or faulty parts will be repaired or replaced. And finally, your brakes will be tested extensively to make sure they're in tip-top condition. Have your brakes serviced today at Duncan Suzuki. For more than 20 years, we've been serving the region's drivers with excellent cars, customer service, and deals: our motto is “Pay Less in Pulaski.”