What can cause a car to squeak when driving below 30mpg and the sound stop when breaks are applied?

Question

This is a 2002 Honda Accord, so not a very old car. I noticed this recently, when I drive slowly without pressing the break pedal, there is a squeaking sound that gets less or more fequent with speed. As soon as I apply the breaks, even very gently, the sound dissapears. The break pads do not seem to be very worn, but maybe I am misjudging this.

30mph (miles per hour) not mpg:)

I tried reving the engine, but the sound is not related to rpm's.

Thanks for your answers guys, except the Chevy answer ;) If the disc rotor is warped, can it be restored to it's original shape, or does it need to be replaced?

Stephanie F, you are right, the car has been standing still for two weeks when it was beeing fixed after hail damage. I'm glad you guys are sitting in front of your computers:)

Answer 1

Have your vehicle inspected by a qualified professional.

That having been said, (I sound like a broken record, I know) the high-pitched squeal is most likely the pad sensor hitting the rotor. It exists to give you a warning before the pads wear out. When the brakes are applied, the sensor bends out of the way, thereby ceasing the "fingernails on a chalkboard" sound.

There is a minimum thickness on all brake pads that is given by the engineers who manufacture the vehicle. A pad that, to the eye, may look thick enough may not be. Do not rely on dead reckoning; have the entire braking system measured by a qualified professional, and compared to OEM specifications.

Unlike taillights and air filters, brakes and especially tires require an experienced, qualified professional's expertise to keep you safe. Why "especially" tires? Brakes slow down the rotation of the wheels. Tires stop the car.

Answer 2

This is usually caused by the brake caliper sticking, so preventing the brake pads from clearing the brake discs (or rotors). Therefore, by pressing the brake pedal gently you close the gap and stop the squeak. Disassembly is usually the corrective action with proper cleaning and lubrication. If the ca r has been laid up for a while then this is common.
Brake discs can usually be re-faced once or twice, so long as the disc thickness is sufficient. Most garages have the equipment to do this in situ.

Answer 3

If it seems to be a high-pitched metallic noise it probably is the brakes. Modern pads are metallic, as asbestos compounds are no longer used. They can squeak like a tricycle in a cartoon. Since it's the nature of two metal objects rubbed together to squeak, there's not much you can do. They probably still squeak when the brakes are applied, it just goes beyond the range of human hearing. The other possibility could be a control arm bushing. As applying the brake will put torque on the bushing joint temporarily taking out any slop the bushing has when relaxed.

Answer 4

I would first check the brake pads, to see if the warning tab is hitting the rotor. When the pads get down to a certain thickness, the tab will make the noise you describe.

Answer 5

I had the same problem. Its your Break disk. After a long time, it gets a little wobbly and the break pads touch it once in a while.

Answer 6

Shoulda bought a Chevy.

Answer 7

I would guess caliper has siezed or disc has warped and is brushing the pads.

Answer 8

sounds like it's the squeeler on your brakepads... meaning you need new pads...

but if they are ok, sometimes new pads squeak for a while...

definately brake related though...

Answer 9

Could be belts. Instead of judging it on speed...look at your rpm's