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Taking your Kia in for regular oil changes is extremely important. However, it's important to be aware of signs to indicate your vehicle needs extra maintenance work. One thing to keep an eye on is your brakes and brake repair signs. Specifically, the brake pads are essential to maintain. Here are some signs that you should head to your local Kia dealer to have your brake pads replaced. Stopping Your Vehicle Takes Longer Than Usual If you find you need to brake harder to stop than you usually do, or if your usual braking pattern doesn't slow you down as quickly as it used to, this is a major indicator that you need to get your brakes checked. Over time when the pads of your brakes connect with the rotors, this mechanism heats up and wears them down. If you drive in a hilly area on a regular basis, you may find your brakes wear out faster than if you don't because of the more constant braking. more You Hear Noises If you hear a clicking or rattling sound when you brake, this is an indication that the pads on your brakes are wearing out or are loosening and should get checked. Hearing a squealing or loud whining noise when you take your foot off the brake can mean that the brake warning indicator is rubbing against the rotor. Any strange noises from your brakes should get investigated immediately. Your Brake Pedal Feels Different When Pressed If your brake pedal feels like it's vibrating under your foot, or you get a pulsing reaction, this is a warning sign your brakes need to get checked as soon as possible. When it's worn down, the resin adhesive that holds the pads in place heats up and spreads around the disc which is what causes the loosening and shaking feeling in the pedal. The Front of Your Vehicle Pulls to the Side When You Stop When your brakes don't wear down at the same rate this can create a pulling to either the left or right when you stop because of the thinness of the pad on one side. If left unchecked this issue can not only pose safety risks but can lead to steering issues. This pulling to one side could also indicate a tire or a faulty wheel bearing, however, any pulling or uneven steering is something that needs to get checked by a mechanic. They Look Worn In most vehicles, you can look between the spokes of your wheel and see the pads on your brakes. You should see about a quarter of an inch of pad pressed against the metal rotor. If one or more pads measure less than that, get them checked. Your Kia Dealer Recommends It Often your brakes will get checked while your vehicle is in for an oil change or other routine maintenance. You can always request for your brakes to get checked occasionally as well. Your mechanic should give you an estimation of how long you have left on your pads. Need New Kia Brake Pads in Frederick, MD? Visit Our Kia Dealership At DARCARS Kia of Frederick, we are committed to incredible service in all departments. Our factory-trained service technicians are committed to keeping your vehicle safe and reliable for years to come. Contact us today at our Frederick, MD Kia dealership to ask questions or book service.