Owning your first car gives you the freedom to go where you want to go. It also makes you responsible for its maintenance and repairs. If you're not knowledgeable about cars, it can be difficult to know when they're experiencing problems. When it comes to the brakes on your car, that lack of knowledge can be dangerous. Here's a handy guide that will help you identify potential problems with your brakes.

Grinding You Can Feel in the Brake Pedal

The presence of grinding doesn't always mean that there's something wrong with your brakes. An occasional grinding sound can mean that you have small rocks or other debris stuck between the brake pads and the rotor. Washing your wheels with a high pressure hose will usually stop that type of grinding.

Grinding that continues for long periods of time, or that you feel in the brake pedal usually signifies that your brake pads are worn down and are grinding against the rotor. If you don't have your brakes repaired quickly, the worn pads will wear deep grooves into your rotors. When that happens, you'll most likely need to have your rotors replaced.

Car Pulls to One Side When You Brake

When you come to a stop, your car should continue going straight. If your car pulls to one side when you step on the brake, you probably need to have your brakes adjusted. Your mechanic will be able to adjust your brakes so that both sides of your car brake evenly.

ABS Indicator Lights Up

If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, you'll need to watch for the ABS indicator light. If it lights up, you'll need to have the electrical components of your braking system inspected. As soon as your ABS indicator light comes on, you should take your car to a brake specialist as soon as possible.

Clicking Noise When You Step on the Brake

Your brakes are held in place by a small piece of equipment called a caliper. The caliper is designed to provide a loose fit, which means your brake pads won't fit snugly against the rotors. To prevent noises from the brake pads, an anti-rattling device is installed.

When the anti-rattling device wears out, it gets brittle and breaks. When that happens, you'll start hearing a light clicking sound whenever you step on the brake. It won't interfere with your brake system, but you should have the anti-rattling device replaced, which will stop the clicking sound.

You depend on your brakes. To keep them functioning properly, you need to take care of them. This simple guide will help you know when your brakes need professional service. To learn more, speak with a company like Lakeside Radiator & Auto Repair.