DARCARS Toyota of Frederick

Apr 15, 2022

Your Toyota brakes are essential for allowing you to drive safely. They enable you to control your speed, which can often be the difference between an accident and a near-accident. Without good brakes, your car is dangerous to you and everyone else on the road. Any car part will eventually wear out and need to be repaired or replaced. As your Toyota dealer in Frederick, MD, we want you to know the signs that you need a brake repair.

Screeching Brakes

When brakes need to be replaced, they will start making a horrible screeching sound. The noise is even worse than dragging a fingernail down a chalkboard. When you hear it, the immediate assumption is that you’re in serious trouble. The sound is a warning placed in the brake pads by the manufacturer to let you know it’s time to change your pads.

Brakes on a Toyota in Frederick, MD

The brake pads fit into the calipers attached above the wheel rotors. When you use the brakes, the calipers clamp on either side of the rotors and enable you to stop. The pads have friction coverings that assist with braking, but this covering will wear off through use. When the covering has worn down to a level where the pads need to be changed, a piece of metal becomes visible. This metal piece scratches against the rotor and makes a screeching sound.

 

Brake Fluid Leak

Usually, any liquid leaving your car is cause for worry. In the case of brake fluid, it’s not as easy to spot as some of the other fluids. Brake fluid is clear and looks similar in consistency to vegetable oil, so it’s easy to miss. Brake fluid is essential, as it provides the force necessary for your brakes to work. When you hit the brakes, a signal is sent to the master cylinder, releasing brake fluid into the hoses.

The brake fluid is forced into the hoses under pressure, and this provides the hydraulic force to push the calipers against the rotors. Brake fluid can leak from several areas, including a hole in one of the hoses, a worn master cylinder, or even a damaged fluid reservoir. The loss of brake fluid means that your brakes will be less efficient and have a longer response time. Our technicians will test for leaks, and we can repair them.

 

Hot Brake Fluid

If you’re experiencing a lot of stop-start movement with sudden braking, your brake fluid can get hot. It’s under pressure, and the pressure generates heat. The more often you brake, the less time the fluid has to cool down. When brake fluid gets too hot, it can start to boil in the hoses.

If you start smelling a hot, chemical smell, it’s advisable to pull over as soon as possible. Allow the brakes to cool down and call our service department right away.

 

If you have any problems with your brakes, schedule a service appointment or stop by and see us as soon as you can. If you’re expecting to replace your brakes soon, be sure to check out our Toyota service & parts deals to catch potential savings and coupons.