One of the most critical safety features of your BMW is its brake system. As a responsible owner, you must monitor how well your brakes are performing regularly. As an industry agreement, brake pads should be replaced around every 50,000-mile mark. Nonetheless, every vehicle is different, and your brakes may display various signs of wear before or after the 50k. We've prepared a list of symptoms that you may encounter when your brake pads become worn:
Squeaky Noises
The first sign that it's time to replace your brake pads is if you constantly hear a squeaking or squealing noise whenever you brake. Loud brakes are acceptable in wet road conditions, but they shouldn't be making noises regularly. If your brakes are squeaky, you should have a certified tech perform a careful inspection ASAP.
Brake Warning Light
Sometimes a light will come on your dash to indicate inadequate brakes. If your brake light illuminates, you should seek a technician for proper repair.
Grinding Metal Sounds
If you discover a deep, grinding metal sound coming from your brakes, that's another hint that it's time to replace your brake pads. Sometimes, you can find tiny metal ridges on the bottom of the brake cushions. They can make a loud noise to warn the driver that it's time to get new brake pads.
Vibrating Brake Pedal
The final sign that it may be time to replace your brake pads is a shakiness feeling on your brake pedal. If it is tough for you to come to a complete stop and your vehicle lacks stability, it means that your brake pads have worn out. A vibrating brake pedal is not normal, and you should get it checked out quickly to avoid an accident.
By keeping a keen eye on the symptoms of worn-down brake pads, you can be safer on the road. If you need brake service on your BMW (or MINI or Porsche), we invite you to Avus Autosport. Give us a call at (818) 276-9288 or visit our shop in Glendale, CA.