How are Your Toyota Brakes Doing?

Turn up the music a few notches as you pull up to the stop light. That way, you won’t hear your brakes squeal. It’s an embarrassing problem when your Toyota brakes are making noise every time you hit the brake pedal. It makes it sound like you’re driving a beater, and your Toyota may only be a few years old.

But the fact is that brake pads are meant to wear out. In fact, your Toyota brakes can wear out in as little as a year, depending on how much driving you do and where you drive.

People who primarily drive in the city experience brake wear faster than those on the highway. If you think about it, it makes sense: you’re pressing the brake pedal more often in stop-and-go traffic.

How do you know how your Toyota brakes are doing? Here are a few tips to figure out if you need your brakes replaced or if it’s a normal noise.

Signs Your Toyota Brakes are Done

Squealing or squeaking when you press the pedal.

It’s the typical brake noise you’ve come to expect. You’re coming up to a stoplight and you press the brake pedal, and hear a loud squeal. If the squealing noise happens every time you press your Toyota brakes, it’s likely your brake pads are worn down and need to be changed soon. If it only happens once in awhile, it could be due to moisture or dirt on the brake pads or rotors, and is no cause for concern.

Grinding when you drive.

Whether you’re driving or pressing the brakes, there’s a grinding noise. It’s certainly worse when you brake though. It’s an indicator that one or more brake pads has completely worn out and you need a brake job. It’s possible that it’s a wheel hub or something altogether unrelated, but it should be checked anyway.

Your Toyota takes longer to stop.

If your car takes noticeably longer to come to a full stop than usual, your brakes need attention. The pads or rotors may be glazed or the pads might be worn out. It could also be an issue with the brake fluid. In any case, your Toyota brakes need attention.

If one of these issues resounds with you, don’t ignore it. Schedule a visit to Jay Wolfe Toyota to get your brakes looked after. Your Toyota brakes are the primary safety system in your vehicle – it’s not something to take lightly!