The most important safety system on your Mazda is the brake system. Can you imagine what would happen if you couldn’t stop your car or utility vehicle? Mazcare and the manufacturer recommend having your Mazda’s brakes inspected every 12,000 miles or annually to make sure they are operating as they should be. This gives us a chance to measure the brake pad depth and check the brake fluid among other things. If your Mazda is doing any of the following things, bring it to our shop right away.
ABS or Brake Warning
If you’re ABS or Brake light is shining all the time, this is an indication that your Mazda has a problem with the antilock brake system or the parking brake. The only time you should see these lights is when you first start your Mazda. You will also see the Brake light when the parking brake is set.
Noises When You Brake
When you apply the brakes, you shouldn’t hear any strange sounds such as grinding, scraping, or squealing. If you do, this can be an indication that your brake pads have worn out or your brakes are overheating.
Wobbling When You Brake
If your Mazda shakes or wobbles when you apply the brakes, your rotor surfaces may need to be recut. It’s possible that the surfaces are warped. Another thing that will make your Mazda shake when you apply the brakes is a tiny rock stuck in one of the calipers.
Leaking Brake Fluid
If your Mazda has a brake fluid leak, you will likely see spots of brown or red fluid on the garage floor around the wheels. Low brake fluid can prevent you from being able to stop your Mazda, so it’s important to have a brake fluid leak checked right away.
Soft or Squishy Brake Pedal
Your brake pedal should always give you the same amount of resistance when you press down on it. If it feels soft, squishy, or sinks all the way to the floor, it’s possible that your Mazda’s master cylinder is going bad. You might also have air in the brake lines.
Pulling to the Side When You Brake
If your Mazda pulls to one side when you apply the brakes, there is something going on with the calipers. It’s most likely that the caliper is stuck on the wheel in the direction in which the Mazda pulls.
Hot Chemical or Carpet Smells
Finally, if you smell hot chemicals or carpet when you apply your Mazda’s brakes, the brake system is overheating and you need to pull over and stop driving right away. Overheated brakes will fail.
Call Mazcare in Marietta, GA, today if you suspect your Mazda is having brake problems.