Squeaky car brakes can scare the hell out of a driver. This is because brakes are also one of the most important safety features of a vehicle. A squeak could mean two things. It could be that something is not okay or mean there is nothing to worry about.
When is the squeaking normal?
Different driving conditions can get your car brakes reacting and making noise. This is very true when you are driving in humid or dusty conditions or even require severe braking. If the squeak is highly pitched then it could be that the semi metallic brake pads are still hard especially if it is a car that recently left the dealership shop.
If you are the proud owner of a compact car then well you have nothing much to worry about. High pitched squeals come as an accompaniment with small sized vehicles. This is especially true when the brakes are cold.
What to do when the squeaking is something you can deal with
There are several ways to handle the squeaking problem if it is something manageable. If you know your way around cars then you can apply the following solutions:
- Spray some cream, lotion or milk on the back of the braking pads.
- Using sandpaper, sand off the area of contact between the pad and shoe surface.
- Change brands. It could be the pad brands you are using are not as effective as others.