One of the most important parts of your vehicle is the brakes, which is why it's so important to know when they are not working right. Here are some warning signs that can indicate you need a brake inspection.

1. Warning Light

Make sure not to ignore the warning lights in your car. If you have a warning light for the ABS, it could indicate issues with a malfunctioning solenoid or low brake fluid. A mechanic can hook your vehicle up to a computer to get more information about what code set off the ABS warning light. 

2. It's Unresponsive 

Does your brake pedal feel unresponsive to what it once was? You may need to press down harder on the brake pedal to get the vehicle to slow down. This issue can be caused by brake lines with air trapped in them. A mechanic can help flush the brake lines to see if that fixes the problem. If not you may have a brake fluid leak that needs to be repaired.

3. Vibrations

Do you feel the vehicle vibrating when you apply the brakes? It may have originated from the steering wheel, the actual brake pedal, or feel as if the entire car is shaking. You likely have a problem where the vehicle's brake rotor is damaged. You'll need to have a mechanic verify that the brake rotor isn't warped, and replace the part if necessary. Sometimes brake rotors become damaged by running over things with your vehicle, such as potholes, which can cause the drum rotor to shift.

4. Pulling

It is not normal for your vehicle to pull to one side of the road while you are applying the brakes. If this problem is happening to you, it is likely due to uneven wear on your brake pads. This can happen due to no fault of your own since you can have a problem where the caliper is putting too much pressure on a single brake pad and causing it to slowly wear away. It will be advised to get all the brake pads replaced after the problem is fixed to ensure even wear. 

5. Grinding

A common problem with brakes that are worn down is that you'll hear a grinding sound. This is caused by metal rubbing against metal due to the brake pads being worn down completely in places. Take your vehicle to a local auto shop to confirm the condition of the brake pads. If they are worn down, they can help install new ones on your vehicle. 

If you're seeing these signs, it's likely time for a brake replacement. Visit websites like http://www.autoservicefairfax.com to connect with a mechanic.