why is it that my car makes a squeeking sound when i step on my brakes?

Question

my car isn't a year old yet, and it's making that sound....is it expensive to go have it checked?

Answer 1

the brake shoes are worn out u ll have to get them changed to solve it take ur car to a mechanic

Answer 2

If your car is less than a year old it should still be covered by the manufacturer's warranty so there should be no cost to repair it. The dealer should be willing to check it for free. The brakes should be good for 30-40,000 miles but disc brakes can squeak even when they're in good shape. This can be remedied by applying an anti squeal compound to the back of the disc pads (the pads would have to be removed from the vehicle to accomplish this). If you have more than 30,000 mi on the brakes then you're probably hearing the pad wear indicators (a small metal tab on the pads) scraping on the discs. This would indicate you're due a pad replacement. Home repair is not difficult but it does involve jacking up the car and partially disassembling the brakes. I'd recommend you buy a repair manual (Haynes or Chilton) before attempting it.

Answer 3

breaks are very tricky and they are very important to watch.

however, it is easy for you to be scammed as well. do you have anyone that can go with you to listen to the mechanic explain what might be wrong?

1. more than likely your breaks are just wet do they stop squeeking the more you drive the car?
2. if the squeeking persists, there are a couple of reasons, if you have not replaced your brake pads or shoes you may need to do so. Usually needing to replace these items would necessarily case the squeeking more like lose of breaks but they could be worn and you may need to have them replaced.

if they feel this is the problem, make sure you get the worn ones do not let them throw them away, you then can go into any auto parts store and have them look at them to confirm the pad/shoes were definately worn. that really is the only way you can assure yourself that you were not ripped off.

also if you have the wrong pad/shoes on your car that can also cause squeeking.

read your manual, it will have info on when you are to replace your breaks/pads and shoes. that can help too.

Answer 4

The squeaking sound can be caused by excessive dust on the brake pads or the result of having the rotors overheated because of riding the brakes or to much stop and go traffic and the rotors do not get a chance to cool down.

The car should still be under warranty, though brakes are not covered but I would take it in and tell them that your brakes make a squealing sound and let them have a look. If your warranty does not cover the cost of repair, make sure you get an estimate before allowing them to proceed. Some dealers will charge you a fee to look but it is normally reasonable, you can call them ahead of time as ask.

EDIT: A lot of people are talking about the sensors, the squeaking they are talking about will sound like metal on metal, the squeaking I am talking about is similar as to what you might hear when you hear a big truck coming to a stop.
The only one that is going to tell you exactly what is wrong is the mechanic. Also when people say that it is not expensive, that becomes a relative statement, I have seen prices for front disk brake replacement for $279.00, to me that is expensive considering that disc pads cost about $75 (the ones for my car cost $38.00) for both wheels.

Answer 5

Usually it's because the brake pads are almost worn out. There are "squeakers" on the pads that make noise to let you know you need new pads. If the car isn't even a year old, it should be under warranty, and the dealer should check it out for free. Many shops will check it for free as well. Have it looked at very soon -- besides being annoying, pretty soon the pads will wear down farther and start gouging the disks, then you've got a much more expensive repair.

Answer 6

A lot of places will inspect your brakes for free if you get an oil change or something. Just have a shop look at your brakes while they change your oil. They'll know exactly what to look at, and they'll tell you if your pads are wearing thin, or if the sound is normal.

I know your car isn't old, but if you're uncertain about strange sound, it's always good to have it checked. Better safe than sorry, especially with brakes.

Answer 7

It is possible but unlikely that the brakes are worn to the point that the wear indicator is chirping. The most likely cause is brake dust, road grime and rust on the back brake pads. This happens sometimes when conditions are right. Take it to shop and have the brakes checked. If they tell you that the pads are worn out, make them show you the pads. The remedy for squeaking pads is to remove them, clean the backs of the pads and the calipers where they sit and put brake quiet on them. This should take care of the noise>

Answer 8

It is possible that your brake pads are wearing out, and no it is not expesive NOW. but if you wait it can be VERY expensive.

your pads are designed to rub against what are called rotors that are attached to your wheels. they clamp down and slow your car down, those pads usually have a "wear indicator" on them that is a metal piece on the side of the pad to help tell how far the pads have worn down, well when the pads are almost all the way worn down that metal piece will rub (or rather, scrape is a better word) on your rotors. if you wait, they will literally dig into your rotors and could be so bad that you have to replace the rotors, which can be ridiculously expensive. but all you need is (most likely) just replace your pads. This is just what i think it might be. You need to have your brakes checked by a certified mechanic. They know what to look for.

Answer 9

It is not expensive for a brake inspection...some shops offer it for free with no strings, others will apply a nominal charge toward any repairs you have done. You could be looking a warped or glazed rotores, needing new pads, or needing a cleaning and adjustment, among other things. But get it checked out berfore it becomes a bigger and more expensive problem.

Answer 10

The new pads today are diferant than years ago they put metal shavings in the pads called matalic pads.They started this because people did not like the black wheales they would get from brake dust.The point is metal on metal is not as good i would rather see pad on metal and clean my wheals. the name of the good pads are organic wich are more harmful to the lungs but do a better job at its job.some car manufactures only sell matalic wish creates more heat that herts other things thats what they want write

Answer 11

no, it's not expensive. check -ups for cars are usually free especially if you know the mechanic or the owner of the auto shop already. it's probably your brake pads or brake disc. your brake pads might need to be replaced. and your brake disc might need some re-phasing/re-facing..... =)
just go to the auto shop and have it checked just to be sure. for if you still wait, it might become more than just a simple problem. it might be something else and if you prolong the wait, the problem might just be increased.
or....... maybe it's just because of the weather. nevertheless, just have it checked. good luck and i hope your car will be fixed in time ;)