Brake pads are designed to make our vehicles stop effectively and safely. There are many factors that can cause brakes to squeak, from carrying heavy loads to variations in weather conditions, not forgetting worn-down brake pads. We take you through some of the most common explanations for squeaky brakes and describe how you can prevent it from happening in the future.
At Euro Car Parts, we have a wide range of specialist car parts available, from brake pads to lubricant oils. We also offer a fitting service, where you can get your brand-new car part fitted through our network of partner workshops.
Weather Conditions
One factor that can cause your brakes to squeak is poor weather conditions. During the winter months, brake pads can often develop a coating of rust, especially after it’s been raining. This could be the reason your brake pads are squeaking; in which case they’ll need to be replaced.
Try to keep a note of every time your car creates a squeaking noise, so you know the cause for sure.
Heavy Loads
The overall weight of your car can have an impact on your brake system’s performance, causing them to squeak. That’s because when you drive a car that’s full of passengers, or with a heavy load, it puts additional pressure on your brakes – meaning they use more energy to bring your car to a halt. As a result, the additional pressure might produce a squeaking noise.
Worn Brake Pads
Most car experts agree that you should aim to change your brake pads between every 30,000 to 65,000 miles. Over this time, they gradually become thinner, which impacts their effectiveness.
Brake pads rely on friction to slow your vehicle down. As you press the brake pedal, the brake caliper clamps around the pad and applies pressure, which allows the car to come to a halt. Some squeaking can be caused worn brake pads. Ultimately, this is the sound of metal dragging along the disc, which means you’ll need to get them replaced as soon as possible.
New Car
If you’ve recently purchased a brand-new car and you’ve noticed your brakes are squeaking, it might mean that your brake pads need breaking in. This is the process of reaching around 60 mph and applying the brakes firmly until you get to 10 mph. You should repeat the process up to 10 times.
Remember that safety always come first. So, if you’re thinking of bedding in your brake pads, ensure you do it when the roads are quiet, like late at night or early in the morning. That way you can avoid any accidents.
How To Stop Squeaky Brakes
You might be able to stop your brakes from squeaking by greasing the contact points. You can do this by removing the brake pads from the calipers and applying lubricant oil wherever there is metal-to-metal contact.
If the problem persists, then you should contact your local mechanic, who will be able to shed some light on the issue.
For more advice on buying and fitting car parts, head back to our blog.