You get behind the wheel as usual one morning, start the car, and spot a yellow symbol on your dash that reads “ABS.” Instead of going about your normal daily routine, you should visit your Chrysler dealer as soon as you can. This symbol is telling you that you need a brake repair.
Brake Warning Light
Modern cars have dashboard warning lights to alert you of different issues. The light that shows up when there are brake issues may be a yellow or orange “ABS” in a circle with brackets. Instead of letters, there may be an exclamation mark (!) inside the circle instead, and the warning could be red instead of yellow/orange.
Your car might not be showing other signs that there’s a problem with the brakes yet, but heading to the dealer when the light shows up is essential.
Brake Pedal Resistance Issues
If you’re an experienced driver, then you’ll know your brake pedal usually offers some resistance when you use it. If it has less resistance than usual, or if it feels completely soft when used, then it’s a sign there’s a problem somewhere in the system.
Brake Responsiveness Problems
Pay attention to how responsive your brakes are. If you have to completely slam the pedal to the floor to get your car to stop, then there’s a problem. If it’s taking a few seconds longer to stop when braking, and it’s not because your tires are worn down or the road is slippery, then there’s an issue, too. Overly responsive brakes also have something wrong with them.
Brake Pedal Vibration
A brake pedal that vibrates when used is telling you that your rotors are warped or uneven. The steering wheel might also shake a little when you have this problem.
Brake Pad Noise
Your brake pads won’t make noise most of the time, but they’ll start to squeal when the pads wear down a lot and expose the brake pad wear indicator. The indicator is metal, and it scratches against the rotors, which are also metal, to let you know the pads need to be replaced.
Brake Maintenance Tips From Your Chrysler Dealer
To keep your brakes running well, you should avoid riding your brakes, and never overload your vehicle with more than it can handle. Learn your car’s weight limit for cargo, and never tow loads heavier than the weight stated as your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity. Finally, make sure you change your brake pads as needed, top up your brake fluid when necessary, and visit your dealer regularly for brake inspections and preventative maintenance.
Come get your brakes fixed at Brown Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM. We’d also love to pencil you in for preventative maintenance on a schedule that’ll help keep your car running well for years to come.
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