Why Does the Brake Make Noise at Low Speed?

[AlexDella]

The reasons for brake noise at low speed are: 1. The new car is in the break-in period; 2. Malfunction of the caliper, brake disc, or brake pads; 3. Severe wear of the brake pads. If the noise is continuous, the first thing to check is whether there is any dragging brake. Poor caliper reset can cause prolonged friction between the disc and the pads, which may produce abnormal noise under certain conditions. If the noise occurs immediately after installing new brake pads, it may be due to a size mismatch between the new brake pads and the friction blocks. Braking is achieved through intense friction between the brake pads and the brake drum. When driving in water, the wheels are almost submerged, leaving a layer of water film between the brake pads and the brake drum, acting like a lubricant. This reduces the friction between the brake pads and the brake drum, making it difficult to control the car's stopping. Additionally, water inside the drum is not easily dispersed. This brake failure phenomenon occurs very quickly. After leaving the water, driving while applying the brakes several times will wipe away the water droplets between the brake pads and the brake drum. The heat generated by friction will also dry them, allowing the brakes to quickly regain their original sensitivity.

[EvangelineMarie]

Brake noise at low speeds is quite common. I've encountered it several times in my over ten years of driving. The most frequent cause is hard spots or impurities in the brake pads, which create squeaking sounds when rubbing. Newly replaced brake pads require a break-in period and may produce noise during the first few hundred kilometers. If the brake disc surface is rusty or has moisture, the metal friction sound during low-speed braking can be particularly harsh. Additionally, insufficient lubrication in the brake caliper guide pins can cause poor retraction and lead to abnormal noises. I recommend first checking the brake pad thickness—replace them if they're below 3mm. If the pads were recently replaced, drive for a few more days to see if the noise disappears. If still concerned, have a repair shop lift the car for inspection, as brake safety should never be taken lightly.

[LaRachel]

Low-speed brake squealing is usually a metallic friction sound, and there are quite a few possible causes. For example, my old car had ridges worn on the edges of the brake discs, causing a squealing sound whenever I braked. Poor-quality brake pads can also cause this, especially semi-metallic formulations which are more prone to noise. Another possibility is increased clearance between the brake pad backing plate and the caliper, leading to vibration noise when braking. Additionally, if the caliper piston or guide pins are stuck and the pads don’t fully retract after releasing the brake, it can create friction noise. In rainy conditions, when brake pads absorb moisture, the low-speed squeaking becomes particularly noticeable. I recommend identifying where the noise is coming from—issues with the left front wheel and right rear wheel may require different fixes. During your next maintenance visit, consider a brake service, which should resolve most of these issues.

[Costa]

When I first started driving, I was also troubled by brake noise. Now I know there are three main causes: first, brake pad issues—either worn down to the warning tabs or with small stones stuck in them; second, uneven brake discs, such as rust after washing or grooves worn into them; third, improper installation, like missing anti-noise shims or loose retaining springs. This squeaking is especially annoying when driving an automatic car at low speeds in traffic. It's recommended to focus on checking the front wheels, which bear 70% of the braking force and are most prone to noise. Taking off the wheels to check the brake pad thickness and sanding the chamfered edges might solve the problem. Cars with over 60,000 kilometers should pay extra attention.