When you are out on the road in your car, you want to feel safe and secure in your vehicle. Most of the time, people tend to take for granted the idea that their car is functioning properly. However, if you want to be more proactive about your auto repair services and the overall maintenance of your car, there are some steps you can take to do so. Your brakes are among the most important systems of your motor vehicle, and the last thing you want is for them to fail, when you are out on the highway. Get to know some of the ways you can tell you are in need of brake services and repairs, so you can get to an auto repair shop before your brakes fail.

Your Brake Pedal Feels Loose

Normally, when you step down on your brake pedal, you get some resistance from the brake system. One of the earliest and most easily noticeable signs that your brakes need work is when you do not get that tension or resistance, when you press down on the brake pedal.

This can feel as if your brakes are loose in some way or that the brake pedal is soft or even squishy. As soon as you notice such an issue with your brakes, you should take your car to an auto repair shop. Doing so will ensure that your brakes get tuned as soon as possible, and you avoid a situation in which you step down on the brake pedal and have nothing happen.

You Hear a High-Pitched Squeak When You Press Down on the Brakes

Another easily recognizable sign that your car's brakes need servicing is if you hear a high-pitched squeaking noise when you hit the brakes. You do not necessarily have to freak out or panic, if your brakes squeak or squeal. This is actually a mechanism that is built into your vehicles brake system to give you forewarning that your vehicle needs maintenance.

The squeak actually comes from your brake pads. Your brake pads have a strip of material in them that makes a squeaking sound, when your brake pads are becoming overly worn down. It serves as a signal to you to take your car into the auto repair shop to get those brake pads replaced. If you do not replace your brakes within a short period of time, the pads will become too worn down to be effective and can lead to your brakes grinding and sustaining significant damage.

If you notice these signs that your brakes need to be repaired, it is important to get your car to the auto repair shop as soon as possible for brake repairs and services.