Brakes are one of the most important safety components of any vehicle because they ensure that drivers can slow down or stop their cars in time to avoid threats and maintain control under different driving conditions.
However, when the brakes start to make a grinding noise, it’s a clear indication that something is seriously wrong. So, how long can you drive on grinding brakes?
You should not drive on grinding brakes at all. Grinding indicates that the brake pads are worn down completely, causing metal-on-metal contact that compromises your vehicle’s ability to stop. Therefore, driving with grinding brakes can lead to brake failure, increased stopping distance, accidents, and costly damage to the rotors, calipers, and other components.
How Long Can You Drive on Grinding Brakes?
You should not drive on grinding brakes at all because it indicate severe wear or damage to your brakes. Grinding brakes can compromise your vehicle’s safety, leading to brake failure and increased repair costs.
Once you press your brakes and hear the grinding noise, stop driving immediately and have your brakes inspected and repaired by a mechanic.
However, before understanding the perils of grinding brakes, it’s important to comprehend how a braking system works. Allow me to break it down for you.
The primary components of a braking system include the brake pads, rotors, calipers, and brake fluid. When you press the brake pedal, brake fluid is pushed through the brake lines, causing the calipers to clamp the brake pads onto the rotors. This friction slows down and eventually stops the vehicle.
Over time, the brake pads wear down due to this constant friction, and if not replaced in time, the metal backing of the pads can come into contact with the rotors, leading to grinding or squeaking noise.
Other causes can include debris caught between the brake pad and rotor, lack of lubrication, or issues with the brake caliper or wheel bearing.
Regardless of the cause, grinding brakes indicate a problem that requires immediate attention. Therefore, you should not continue driving with it.
Dangers of Driving on Grinding Brakes
The dangers of driving on grinding brakes are:
1. Safety Risks
The foremost risk of driving on grinding brakes is safety. When brakes are grinding, they are not functioning correctly, hence compromising your ability to stop the vehicle effectively. This can lead to:
- Brake Failure: The brake pads are important for creating the necessary friction to stop the vehicle. Without them, the brakes can fail completely.
- Increased Stopping Distance: Grinding brakes are less efficient, meaning your car will take longer to come to a stop. This increased stopping distance can be dangerous, especially in emergencies or when driving at high speeds.
- Accidents: Poor braking performance heightens the risk of accidents. In situations requiring sudden stops, faulty brakes can prevent you from avoiding collisions.
2. Damage to the Vehicle
Ignoring grinding brakes can lead to severe damage to your vehicle’s braking system and other components such as the rotors, brake caliper, etc.
- Rotor Damage: If you continue to drive on grinding brakes can wear down the rotors, making them uneven or causing grooves. Rotors are more expensive to replace than brake pads.
- Caliper Damage: The calipers can also suffer damage due to the increased heat and friction, leading to costly repairs.
- Wheel Bearing Damage: The excessive heat and vibrations from metal-on-metal contact can affect the wheel bearings and its seal as well as other components, causing further issues.
3. It Will Affect Insurance Claims
If you’re involved in an accident while driving with known faulty brakes, it can complicate insurance claims. Insurers may deny coverage or hold you liable for negligence.
What to Do When Your Brake Starts to Grind
If you notice a grinding noise when applying the brakes, it’s important to act immediately to avoid further damage and ensure your safety:
The moment you hear the grinding noise, you should stop driving and inspect the brakes. Continuing to drive can exacerbate the problem and increase the risk of an accident.
Have a professional mechanic inspect and repair the brakes as soon as possible. They can diagnose the issue accurately and replace any worn or damaged components.
If the grinding noise is severe or you’re unsure about the condition of your brakes, instead of continueing to drive the car, it’s safer to have the car towed to a repair shop for proper fixing.
Moreover, to avoid finding yourself in a situation where your brakes are grinding, regular maintenance and preventive measures are necessary. Have your brakes inspected regularly by a mechanic to catch wear and tear before it leads to grinding.
Replace the brake pads before they are completely worn out. Most professionals recommend replacing them when they have about 3 – 4 millimeters of pad material left.
Finally, you must ensure that your brake fluid is at the correct level and replace it as recommended by your car’s manufacturer.
Conclusion
Driving on grinding brakes is an absolute threat that puts your safety and others at risk. It can lead to brake failure, increase stopping distances, and cause severe damage to your vehicle’s braking system and other components.
Moreover, it can result in legal issues and complications with insurance claims in the event of an accident.
The grinding noise is a clear signal that your brakes need immediate attention. The moment you hear it, you should stop driving and have your brakes inspected and repaired by a mechanic.
