The brakes on your car are very important. They help you stop when a car suddenly pulls out in front of you, and slow down when traffic in front of you slows down. If you didn't have brakes, or your brakes aren't in good shape, this can be a very dangerous situation for you and for the other drivers around you. If you aren't sure how to tell if your brakes are going bad, or how to tell if you have a brake problem, read on for a few signs to watch out for.

Takes Longer to Slow Down

If you can tap the brake and you aren't really slowing down, or if it's taking much longer for your car to slow down, this can be a problem. Some companies, like Greg's  Garage, know that this means you have to start hitting the brakes much further back in order to stop in time. If someone runs out in front of your car, you wouldn't be able to stop in time. If this is occurring, you need to have your brakes inspected and replaced as needed. Your car should be able to stop immediately, and if it isn't able to do so, your car is not safe for the road.

You Have to Press Harder to Stop

If you are pressing your foot into the brake pedal and it's nearly touching the floor in order to stop, your brakes have a problem. This could mean your brakes have worn down most likely to the rotors and are having a harder time stopping your car. If you notice that you have to press very hard to stop your car, you should have your brakes replaced. Note that your rotors may also need to be replaced if it is to this point.

Your Car is Screeching

If when you brake, your car makes a screeching noise, or even a grinding noise when you try to stop your car, your brakes should be replaced. The screeching noise occurs when the brakes begin to wear down too much. If there is a grinding noise, the brakes are wearing into the rotors as well. Your car is unsafe and needs to be repaired.

If you aren't sure if your brakes are going bad, take it to an auto repair shop to have the brakes inspected. If they are bad, you should have them replaced to ensure your car is safe for the road again.