Making great insurance choices is just one of the ways you can keep yourself safe out on the road. Good vehicle maintenance is another essential part of vehicle safety. At EasTex Insurance, serving Tyler, TX, and the surrounding areas, we want to help keep you safe while driving. This quick guide will explain how to tell if your brakes need work. Keep reading to learn more. 

Squeaking

Usually, one of the first signs that your brakes need to be serviced is that you will hear squeaking when braking. This squeaking is caused by the brake pad material wearing away. When this happens, metal will start touching metal on other brake components. This causes friction and noise. This is always a sure sign that your brakes need work. If you hear squeaking, have your brakes services immediately to stay safe. 

Slow Braking

Another sure sign that brakes need attention is slow braking. If you notice that you need to apply more and more pressure to get your brakes to slow your vehicle, you should get brake service ASAP. This is a very unsafe situation as it cuts down your reaction time. If you are in a driving situation where you need to brake suddenly to avoid hitting a vehicle, animal, or even a person, your faulty brakes may not be able to handle the job. This puts you and others in great danger. Always seek a mechanic and have brakes serviced quickly if you notice slow braking. 

Brakes Warning Light 

Many newer vehicles have a brake warning light on the dashboard. If this light is signaling that you need brake service, heed the warning. This is an excellent early warning system. 

If you would like to learn more about vehicle insurance, please get in touch with us at EasTex Insurance serving Tyler, TX, and the surrounding areas.