If you hear grinding noises stemming from putting on the brakes, it should make you stop short. Well, not literally stop short, but it should make you pause. Grinding noises signal that your brake pads are not protecting the rotors as they should.

Brake pads cushion the rotors, which perform the stopping motion that your car needs if you're slowing down or stopping at an intersection, for instance. When they wear down after a long time of usage, they will make a squealing sound. The squealing means that the brake pads are wearing out, while the grinding means that they may no longer be effective in performing their job.

A vibrating brake pedal may indicate that your rotors may be warped. If you feel a spongy response or no response at all, you should have it examined as soon as possible. That way, a mechanic can rule out any issues and resolve any that arise.

Knowing these signs, along with paying attention to brake lights appearing on the dashboard, will help. You can schedule service before your car exhibits more serious issues.

When you travel in heavy congestion including stop-and-go traffic, your brake pads will get quite a workout. If you tend to speed and abruptly stop at the last minute, this can also impact your brake pads.

Drivers who reside in hillier areas may be using the brakes more often as well. If you're descending hills every time you leave your neighborhood, you'll be relying on the brakes to keep you steady.

You may wonder if you need to be concerned with your brakes' performance as much when you only drive locally or rarely speed. It doesn't matter where or how you drive when it comes to scheduling service at the right time. Pay attention to your driving practices and follow the maintenance schedule so that you book appointments at the proper intervals.