squeaking noise when i DONT apply the brakes

[evelyn]

hi,

i just bought a mazda 3 and i find that my car starts to squeak while driving, but stops when i brake. any idea what this is? also, the car is relatively new, so i don\'t get why this should be happening.

[wtom]

Few questions to help out;

- consistent squeeeeeeeeeeak while car is in motion? or once in a while, ie. going over bumps?
- squeaking stops when 1. brakes are applied OR 2. car has come to a crawl/complete stop?
- squeak coming from front or car, rear of car, or both ends?
- how loud is the squeaking?

:)

[evelyn]

hi, thanks for your response. squeaking, i think, coming from the drivers side (can\'t tell whether it\'s front or back), and it\'s after i start driving for a bit, constant squeaking, getting progressively louder.

[evelyn]

hi, one more thing, squeaking only stops when the brakes are applied.

[wtom]

Sounds like your brakes need some tweaking. That\'s just my opinion though.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/at_000829.htm

If you are not too far from them, give Avante Mazda Service Dept a call. http://www.avantemazda.com

[evelyn]

it\'s my brakes. you were right. thanks.

[wtom]

Cool, no probs. :)

How did you determine it was the brakes?

[evelyn]

a number of ways, called my old mechanic (pre-mazda purchase), called another dealership, and your articles (they described the problem exactly.

the key is that i still have approx 40% padding left, so if i can live with the noise, there is no safety issue, i can hold off replacing them until the next tune-up.

thanks again!

[wtom]

Relatively new car with only 40% padding left in the brakes? Holy crap ... how new is \"new\"? I\'m thinking less than a month ... but no way \"40% left\"?

If you have some time and can get an appt with a Mazda service dept preferably, get the brakes checked out under warranty. Next to the wheels, the brakes are the most important thing when driving. ;)

[evelyn]

ok, well here\'s a confession, and i apologise in person. i don\'t have a mazda 3 i have a protege! yes, it\'s true i just came on the site to get advice. i figured the problem would be the same regardless of it being a mazda 3 or a protege:D

[wtom]

LOL that\'s an interesting confession! In this case TorontoMazda3.com > TOProtege.com :D

j/k

No worries at all, but I\'m sure the same would apply with Mazda dealership if under warranty? Either way tho I\'d recommend taking it in to check the brakes out.

[evelyn]

yea, it is at the dealership right now, but i was so stunned at the diagnosis of the problem, i found it hard to believe! and of course, it\'s not covered under the warranty. you see i knew what the problem was all along, i just didn\'t want to believe it, or i wanted to confirm it!

[wtom]

No worries about that. :) Maybe it\'s a sign to trade-in the Protege for a Mazda3! :p

[evelyn]

actually, i have no affinity for this car at all! i\'m really a VW driver at heart. but i don\'t own a VW, i seriously do have a protege!

[wtom]

You are starting to scare me :p j/k

Hope things get fixed up so no more of those embarrassing squeals while driving.