No matter how reliable a car is - even our ultra-reliable vehicles here at Freehold Subaru - there's a certain amount of wear-and-tear to be expected if you spend any time behind the wheel. And one of the most easily worn systems in your car, not to mention the most crucial, is the braking system. For brake services in Freehold, contact us today by scheduling a brake repair appointment.

Brake trouble should never be ignored. Here are five signs that you might need to have your brakes replaced:

Pulling

Does your car seem to want to pull to one side or the other when you apply the brakes? This is a sign that you have a problem, and it could stem from a few reasons:

• A collapsed brake hose could be causing your callipers to move unevenly.
• You could have a stuck calliper which would cause friction on one wheel and not the others. This would make the car pull in the direction of the side the stuck calliper is on.
• Your brake pads could be worn down.

Keep in mind that pulling can also occur for other reasons, such as worn tires or poor alignment. Still, it's never a good idea to guess when it comes to a potential brake problem, and you should get them checked if you experience pulling.

Vibration

It's never good to feel vibrating when you apply the brake! Warped, uneven rotors will cause vibrations in the brake pedal, since the brake pads can no longer grab evenly. Rotors will warp under the extreme heat caused by driving in situations which are tough on brakes, such as frequent stopping while towing something heavy, or when driving down steep hillsides.

Grinding/growling

If you feel as though your car is growling or whining at you whenever you hit the brakes, it could mean that your brake pads are worn down completely, to the point where there is no padding between the metal of the callipers and the metal of the rotors, causing the metal to rub together. You'll probably hear the squealing of your brake system's indicator warning you that your brake pads are wearing thin before you hear actual grinding. It's much less expensive to have brake pads replaced than it is to have your brake system replaced.

"Mushy" pedal

If the brake pedal sinks to the floor easily when you apply pressure, it could indicate a few different things:

• Worn brake pads
• Air in the line
• An air leak
• Leaking brake fluid

You can check to see whether you're losing brake fluid by placing a piece of light-colored cardboard under the car overnight. Brake fluid is almost clear and about the consistency of cooking oil.

Resistant pedal

Of course, the opposite of a brake pedal that sinks to the floor is one that becomes increasingly difficult to press down. If it takes more effort than usual to engage your brakes, there could be an obstruction in the brake line or trouble with the vacuum system and should be looked at as soon as possible.

Here at Freehold Subaru, we believe in offering our Subaru customers in Central New Jersey nothing but the best. Whether it's one of our extensive inventory of new Subaru's, we know that we have the Subaru for you. And should you run into brake problems in Freehold, you can rest easy in the knowledge that our skilled technicians are providing your car with the highest level of service. Since we're located right off on Routes 9 and 33, it's easy to get to our Freehold Service Center from just about anywhere in the surrounding area.