Ford Motor Company has always prioritized safety in its automobiles’ design and function, and many of its latest technical innovations have been focused on making driving safer. While new features like Ford’s lane-keeping system and cross-traffic alert that are part of Ford’s Co-Pilot360® system work toward this goal, fundamentally, safety often depends on two things: 1) keeping your vehicle in good mechanical condition, and 2) being a responsible driver: follow the rules of the road, avoid distractions, and stay alert to what is going on around you.
When it comes to the mechanical condition of your car, one of the most critical safety components is your braking system. Due to the rigorous demands placed on this system and its frequent use, it is not uncommon for brakes to suffer from wear and damage. People often take their brakes for granted, assuming they will function as designed when needed. However, brake problems do occur, and declines in performance often develop gradually. You may not notice that they are performing at a less-than-optimal level until something raises a red flag.
If you have your Ford serviced regularly at Mike White Ford, we will check your brakes to ensure they are in good condition. But in the meantime, here are some things you should pay attention to that will help you identify common issues and provide insights into potential solutions.
Understanding Common Brake Issues
Modern cars feature power-assist hydraulic braking systems, employing disc brakes on the front wheels and either discs or drums on the rear. A separate mechanical parking/emergency brake, either cable or electrically operated, operates exclusively on the rear wheels. The integration of antilock braking systems (ABS) and brake-based stability control enhances safety. However, these more sophisticated braking systems can add a fair degree of complexity to troubleshooting brake problems.
You can categorize brake problems into two broad issues: brakes not engaging well enough or brakes not disengaging. Minor problems may manifest as brake squealing, shuddering, burning smells, leaking fluids, or your vehicle pulling to one side.
Here are some telltale signs of a brake problem that most people will be able to sense. Even if you know nothing about car mechanics, these are things that should raise a red flag for you:
- Soft Pedal: A soft pedal is when a brake pedal is easy to push yet offers less effective braking. Potential causes of a soft pedal problem include low brake fluid, air in the brake fluid, a malfunctioning master cylinder, caliper/wheel cylinder issues, blown brake lines, a defective residual valve, fluid leaks, boiled brake fluid, or a failing wheel bearing.You can start the troubleshooting process by checking the most uncomplicated issues: inspect the fluid levels and the conditions in the master cylinder reservoir. If the cause is not simple or apparent, or if you would just rather rely on experts, bring your vehicle in for brake service.
- Hard Pedal: Unlike the soft pedal, a hard pedal requires you to increase pressure on the brake pedal to achieve the same amount of pedal movement and braking force. Likely culprits for hard pedal include a malfunctioning power booster, vacuum hose leaks, a faulty check valve, a collapsed vacuum hose, a seized caliper, or severely worn brake pads. The first step in troubleshooting the system will be to examine the power boost system, including the booster, check valve, and vacuum hose. A competent brake mechanic can diagnose the cause.
- Brakes Hanging Up or Dragging: Brakes that fail to disengage completely when you release the pedal can emit a burning smell due to the heat generated by the brake’s friction on the moving wheels. Though the car might still move, driving with dragging brakes is unsafe and can lead to further damage to your car. Potential causes of dragging brakes include a seized caliper/pads, a stuck parking brake cable, a rusted rotor/drum, a clogged master cylinder return hole, or a pinched/collapsed brake line. You can usually avoid developing this issue by not driving through deep puddles and on salted roads or by regularly cleaning the wheels and the car’s underside during winter. In North Idaho, where there are a lot of dirt roads, ice and snow, and potholes, this can be a real problem. If you have dragging brakes, bring your vehicle in right away to have it addressed.
- Brakes Shudder/Vibrate/Pulse: This phenomenon usually occurs under hard or repeated braking and is often caused by warped or bent rotors or localized pad material buildup due to braking habits. It can also develop when drivers with very different braking habits drive the same vehicle. Potential solutions involve resurfacing the rotors to make them smooth and flat again. This is not something you can do yourself, so bring it in to a qualified brake mechanic. However, be aware that if warping is the culprit, overheated rotors may warp again upon reheating.
- Squealing/Howling/Squeaking Brakes: An annoying high-pitched noise when you depress the brake pedal can most often be attributed to metal “wear indicator” tabs on the brake pads. These tabs are purposefully built into your brake pads to warn you that you have less than 25% of pad life left and that it is time to replace them. Do not ignore the squealing. Brake pads are made of a special material that can take the pressure and friction; if they wear out, you will brake with metal-on-metal. This will generate a great deal of heat and cause damage to your entire braking system. An alternate explanation for loud noises is brake glazing from stop-and-go traffic. If that is the cause, a few hard applications of the brakes to clean off glaze or an anti-squeal paste to alter pad resonance can help, but make sure you know the cause of your squealing brakes.
- Sinking Pedal: If the brake pedal slowly sinks to the floor while you are at a full stop, it indicates a master cylinder is beginning to fail or you have a potential system leak. If no external leak is visible, it’s likely one of the rubber seals within the master cylinder allowing fluid and pressure to escape. This problem requires prompt attention by a brake mechanic, as failure to address it can mean your brakes may stop functioning altogether. Repairs may require a master cylinder replacement or repairing leaks in the system.
Understanding the symptoms and potential causes of brake issues is crucial for maintaining the reliability and safety of your vehicle. Regular inspection and addressing issues promptly can prevent further damage and ensure optimal braking performance.
If you are experiencing any of the issues noted above, or if your brakes do not seem to be performing at peak, contact the service department at Mike White Ford and set up an appointment. Our team of skilled technicians is equipped to diagnose, repair, and maintain your vehicle’s braking system, ensuring your safety on the road. Your safety is our priority. Contact Mike White Ford in Coeur d’Alene or Sandpoint today.