Learning that your car needs brake repair is not cause for concern. If your brakes are squealing, that only means that they are doing the job that they were designed to do; brakes are meant to wear down. Brake repair is more a necessary part of good car maintenance than the signal of an automotive problem.
Brake pads are intended to alert you to the need for maintenance by scraping and squealing when they have worn down to a certain point, but they are not the only indication that brake repair is warranted. Check your brake fluid levels when your brake light goes on; that usually means that your brake fluid is low and your brakes need to be inspected by a certified technician. Seeing or smelling brake fluid indicates the presence of a leak that should be checked immediately. A vibrating wheel or brake pedal usually points to rotor surface issues and brakes that continue to squeal after you release the brake pedal means that the wear indicators are scraping against the rotors. The grinding or growling of metal on metal means, of course, that the pads are completely worn away.
Brake repair specialists recommend that car owners have their brakes serviced as soon as it becomes apparent that something is amiss. You should still have your brakes inspected at least once a year even if nothing appears to be wrong. Certain maintenance tasks should be performed regularly as well in order to keep your brakes in optimal condition and brake repair to a minimum. Also have your brake fluid checked periodically for the presence of metal particles and moisture. If you do not, you will need to replace your calipers and wheel cylinders more frequently. And, while on the subject of brake fluid, keep in mind that you do not need to have the fluid topped off whenever you have any service work done to your car. Your brake wear alert system will not function properly with full brake fluid levels. Keep any metal to metal brake components well lubricated, too, to maintain an effective barrier between the parts.
Lastly, rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Your brakes cannot to their job if your tires are not in top shape. Remember, the brake system stops the wheels, but the friction created between your tires and the road is what stops the entire car.

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