Typical brake faults outlined
The brakes are a mechanical object and so it is possible that they will develop problems and not function the way that they should be. This is clearly very dangerous because brakes are one of the most important safety elements of a car enabling you to drive safely, both for your own safety and that of fellow road users.
One of the most common types of brake fault results in your car pulling you slightly to one side when you brake which you experience as an unequal force on the car when braking. This usually occurs when the brakes are not correctly adjusted therefore leading to more or less braking on one side and the resultant pull.
Another common problem is when on pressing the brake pedal it doesn't feel quite right or as it normally does. If it feels spongy then this is often caused by there being air trapped in the system, and you should not drive the car in those conditions but get it checked by an expert immediately.
Sometimes you won't have the above problems but the brakes don't seem quite as effective as they were. The wear and tear on brake pads may mean that they need to be replaced, or the brakes may require some adjusting. They can also get overheated, and as with any brake problems you should get urgent assistance.
One of the lights in the car that you might not think much about is a brake warning light, but when it does come on then you need to pay attention because it probably indicates either a system fault or a problem with the pads or the brake fluid being low so again get this checked out.
Finally the hand brake itself can stop holding your car as it should on an inclined plane and can either need an adjustment made or perhaps have the cable replaced. So these are common brake faults that you might encounter as a driver.
Related Articles...
How Pass Plus Works
What does pass plus contain? Well, it has six different modules and each of these ones focuses on a different set of conditions in which you might have to drive. These are in and around the town,...
Your ignition warning light
When you turn on the electrical circuits in your car, then the ignition warning light will come on: make sure that this does indeed happen.
Once the engine itself is started, then the ignition...
Road position and large vehicles
In a car there are of course blind spots, but as soon as you drive a lorry you realise how significant the blind spots are for those vehicles.
For one simple thing even with vans you can't...
Your car and the lights on it
We are all used to seeing cars in the dark, and also seeing their indicators in the day to communicate to other car drivers. But what must you ensure with regard to the lighting of your...
Why new drivers are more likely to be involved in an accident
It is a well known statistic that new drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents, and indeed insurance companies definitely know this as you'll see by comparing premiums as a new driver...
Rules regarding the use of seat belts
When it comes to seat belts, you should be certain of what the rules are with regard to seat belt usage, and your responsibilities as the driver in terms of other passengers in your vehicle and...
Driving and Eyesight Requirements
If you require glasses in order to meet the requirements for driving legally, then you must ensure that you wear them whilst you drive (or corrective lenses).
There are some conditions that...
Switching to driving an automatic
When you switch to an automatic car it could be for a wide range of reasons. Of course number one on that list could be that you are simply given an automatic car or you are driving in a country...
How hazard perception scoring works
For each hazard there is a possible score of zero to five that is available. With a total of 15 hazards to find that makes a total possible score of 75 being available on the hazard test.
The...
What to do at a box junction
The box junction is quite common but despite this there are a whole wide range of ways in which different drivers interpret what they are supposed to do at them so you will see different behaviours...
Back to home page of driving theory test questions