If your brakes are overheating, your vehicle is dangerous to drive. It is dangerous to you, and it is dangerous to other people on the road. When the brake system gets too hot, it is prone to fail. Consequently, you may not be able to stop your car, SUV, or truck. When this happens, you will most likely end up in an automobile accident. Consequently, it is crucial to pull over while you still have your brakes and call for a tow truck. Let’s talk about the signs of overheating brakes below.
Squealing Sounds
Overheating brakes squeal all the time because the brake pads and rotors have glazed. What this means is that the surfaces of both brake system parts have smoothed out. Normally, the brake pads and rotors have rough surfaces. These rough surfaces and able the pads to generate friction with the rotors when they press against them. This friction is converted into kinetic energy that slows down and stops your automobile. Glazed brake pads and rotors will squeal every time you use the brakes.
Burning Odors
In addition to the squealing sound, you may also smell burning carpet odors coming from the brakes. This is a sign that the brake pads have glazed. When the brake pads get too hot, they release this odor. Unfortunately, the brake pads may fail sooner rather than later if they smell like burning carpets. This is why it is critical to pull over and call for a tow truck to bring your vehicle to our shop. Again, you may lose the ability to slow down and stop your automobile if the brake pads are glazed.
In addition, the brake fluid can start to boil in the brake system. This can make it difficult for the fluid to press the brake pads against the rotors. You may also notice that your brake pedal feels softer than it normally does. When the brake fluid boils, it releases an odor that smells like burning chemicals. We cannot stress enough that it is important that you stop driving your automobile. Between the glazed brake pads and the boiling brake fluid, your brake system will fail.
Have roadside assistance tow your automobile to our auto service shop so we can inspect the brake system to determine why it is overheating. Once we have found the problem, we will take the necessary steps to fix it to restore the most important safety system in your automobile.
