Your car's brake squeals are a cry for help - here's why

• Squeaky brakes mean they need to be checked
• Can be caused by worn brake pads or discs or a combination of both
• Brakes that are not all that bad can squeak too

Have you ever heard a squeaking/squealing noise coming from your wheels every time you hit the brakes?

It may be faint noise at first but gradually gets louder as you keep driving your car. Well, it’s not the worst thing in the world – but it’s telling you something very important.

Your brakes need to be checked

Our brakes are subjected to a lot of stress when driving. Regardless of stop-and-go traffic or highway driving, there is constant wear and tear on the brakes.

Although modern car brakes are made very durable, and can typically last very long, squeaks and squeals are the initial telltale signs that some components might need changing.

Brakes on most modern cars have three main components – the brake caliper, disc and brake pads.

Squealing and screeching is usually an indicator that one or a combination of these components have reached the end of their life, and need to be replaced.

For brevity, this article will focus on disc brakes, and not drum brakes.

Also read: If disc brakes are better, why do modern cars still have drum brakes?

Why do my brakes squeal or squeak?

Squealing or screeching is mostly caused by the friction surfaces of the brake pad or brake disc wearing down to low levels.

Once the main friction material has worn too thin, the pad or disc (or both depending on condition) start to operate inefficiently.

Most commonly, once the brake pads wear too thin, the disc comes into contact with the brake pad's backing plate - which can cause substantial vibration and noise.

Certain brake pads are also designed with a brake pad wear indicator. As the brake pad wears down, the brake pad indicator comes into contact with the brake disc, which then emits a squeaky sound to let you know the pads need to be replaced.

It's much the same if the brake discs wear down beyond a nominal thickness or if the friction surface is warped or damaged – this can also cause squeaky noises.

How do I know when to replace my discs and pads?

Depending on the mileage and usage of the vehicle, you will need to replace your brake pads and discs at stipulated intervals or as needed depending on their condition.

As a rule of thumb, if you use your car to just get to work and back, and drive at moderate speeds – your brake pads could easily last anywhere between 35,000 km to 50,000 km.

Of course, if you’re the type of driver that enjoys a spirited drive on the weekends and the occasional track day, you can expect your brake pads to last half as long, or even less.

In most cars, brake discs typically last from around 80,000 km to 100,000 km depending on the type of vehicle and application.

How and where you drive your vehicle matters too, if you commonly drive on hilly routes or carry heavy loads, this can also result in quicker wear and tear on your brakes.

Also read: My car is making loud noises when I stomp on the brakes, is something wrong with my ABS?

But I know that my brakes are not that old and they still squeak…

There are a number of reasons why brakes can squeak or squeal even if they’re not too old or worn out.

• Brake pad contamination

Sometimes contaminants such as sand, fine mud, and even metal particles can get caught between the brake pad and disc surface and this can cause the brakes to squeak.

In cases like this give brakes a thorough wash with a water jet, or remove the brake pads and sand down the surface (using 150-200 grit sandpaper) to remove dirt or contaminants.

• Rust buildup on the brake disc

Sometimes, rust deposits can collect around the outer and inner edges of the disc’s friction surface and this can cause squeaks if it comes into contact with the pads during braking.

Again, you can use fine-grit sandpaper or brake cleaner/degreaser to clean off these rust deposits to reduce or stop the squeaking.

Rust can also build up on the brake disc friction surface if the car is left for long periods of time. This rust normally clears up as the car moves, but some rust particles can get caught between the pad and disc material, causing squeaks. 

• Poor quality brake components

Certain cheap OEM replacement parts can also be a cause of brake squeaks. Using cheap brake pad replacements is the main contributor to this.

Not to mention, cheap brake components contribute to reduced braking performance and can even damage your brake discs.

How often should I check on my brakes?

It is recommended that you inspect your brakes at every service interval, i.e.: 10,000 km for most passenger cars. Most official service centres include this in the service and will recommend changing them as needed.

If your car is maintained by a private workshop, then we recommend inspecting your brakes at least once every six months.

Taking care of your brake systems also includes draining and replacing your brake fluid, this is typically done at 60,000 km/3-year intervals or as stipulated in your owner’s manual.

Also read: 5 easy ways you can inspect your brakes (without tools)