Did you know that at least 1.35 million people die annually due to freak car accidents? Some of these cases are due to apparent human errors. However, a chunk of car crashes also occurs due to technical faults related to the braking system.
The brake booster, in particular, plays a fundamental role in your car. This function allows your vehicle to stop within the smallest possible distance upon application. In case the brake booster is faulty, you stand the risk of causing accidents and damages to property.
It would help if you notice possible signs of a bad brake booster early enough. Noticing such signs can ensure that you make the necessary mechanical repairs and avoid the risk of accidents. This article discusses the most common signs that indicate a probable fault with your car’s brake booster.
1. Your Car Takes Long to Stop
A functional braking system should be able to bring your car to a halt when you press the pedal. When your car’s brake booster starts to stall, the first sign you’ll notice is the longer time the vehicle takes before it can stop. The booster helps ensure that the car comes to a stop within the shortest possible distance.
In case the booster is faulty, the time taken and distance covered before achieving a halt change. In such cases, the pedal isn’t getting the power it needs to stop the engine. Such failure with the brakes causes the stopping distance to increase, which intensifies the risk of accidents.
It’s easier to notice a faulty brake booster during rough weather conditions. The brakes may take longer or fail to stop altogether when the weather is extreme. When this happens, the best thing to do is consider the services of a mechanic to replace the pedals as soon as possible.
2. Recurrent Brake Alert on the Dashboard
Many drivers ignore the recurrence of a brake alert on the dashboard. However, this is among the most important signs of a bad brake booster you can’t ignore. When your car begins to show an illuminated brake warning light on the console, it’s because your vehicle’s brake sensors have detected a malfunction in the system.
Most times, the system is often low on hydraulic acid. The deficiency can affect how the brake booster works and may lead to a significant mechanical concern. In other cases, this light could signify a leak in the system.
If you realize that even after adding brake fluid, the light still blinks, it could be time to call in the experts. If such an illuminated light on the console remains undetected, it could easily lead to an accident due to brake system failure.
3. Insufficient Braking Pressure
You might need brake booster repair if you notice insufficient braking pressure in your car. The sign may also manifest in the form of hard brakes when driving your vehicle. Often, this problem emerges due to a bad brake booster.
In rare cases, the challenge could also be due to a problem with the master cylinder. You can test the functional order of your brake pedals in such cases. If they are overly stiff even when the engine is running, it could be due to a faulty brake booster.
A quick appointment with a mechanic can help you resolve such issues. The best thing would be to consider immediate intervention to resolve the hitch.
4. Sinking Brake Pedals
Just like stiff pedals, sinking brakes also indicate symptoms of a bad brake booster. Have you tried to press your car’s braking pedals only to experience a sponge-like reaction? This could be a sign that your car’s brake booster could be experiencing failures.
When this happens, the issue is often with the rubber seals. Sometimes, the rubber seals in your car experience wear and tear. When this happens, the brake pedals tend to sink in, given that nothing is regulating the movement when you press the pedals.
Design faults such as poor-quality rubber seals are among the most common causes of car accidents today. A seasoned mechanic can help you replace the rubber seals and get your brakes back in working order. If this doesn’t help, you could consider replacing the entire system.
5. Leaking Brake Fluid
One common sign that your brake booster could be in trouble is notable when the brake fluids suddenly begin to leak. You could start by checking around the parking bay or inside the car for any clues of leakage.
If the leak is overboard, it could extend as far deep as the car carpets. The first thing a mechanic does is to pop open the hood, then check the master cylinder. The approach affords the mechanic adequate space to assess the entire area for any damages to the master cylinder.
6. Vibration on the Steer Wheel
When the brake system is functioning as it should, the steering wheel is easy to move. However, when the steering wheel starts to experience a wobbling sensation anytime you brake, this could be among the signs of a bad brake booster.
Brake booster problems that affect the steering wheel can be dangerous. The issue could be with the calipers, mostly with front brakes. Sometimes rust could be a significant cause for this wobbling feel. It may take a seasoned mechanic to clean the rust from the system.
7. Burning Smell
In the worst of situations, a burning smell could be the clearest indicator of bad brake booster symptoms. The reaction happens when the fluid in the calipers and the cylinders reach boiling point. When a car does a lot of hard braking on a steep heel, it’s likely that the burning smell will eventually emerge.
The burning smell should be the most evident sign of a bad brake booster. It’s not advisable to continue driving a car when this sign manifests in repeated sequences. If you have experienced any of these Honda civic brake booster problems, you should take the car to an authorized Honda dealer as soon as possible.
These Are Some of the Signs of a Bad Brake Booster
Drivers of Honda Civic vehicles and most other vehicle brands often experience brakes-related problems when driving. Such braking hitches can be a genuine concern considering the aggravated risk of accidents posed. If you encounter any of these six signs of a bad brake booster on your Honda or any other car, you should immediately call in a mechanic or visit an authorized dealer.
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