my brake pedal has been feeling a lot softer recently... and since yesterday, slightly hard braking leads to a nasty smell. Is there a problem that i should take this to the dealer to look at or is it some kind of regular maintenance? Thanks

 

If you don't know how to check them or what they should look like, take it somewhere ASAP!!! If not the dealer, take it to a brake shop...often they do free inspections.

Bottom line is DO NOT put off brake repairs/maintenance. It is not just your car, but your safety, the safety of your passengers, and more importantly, the saftey of other innocent motorists at stake here.

 

Ok well i took it to the dealer... At first i said i feel decreased braking power and the pedal needs to be pressed harder and harder to get the same stopping power. The guy was just like "yea, as the pads start to wear down you have to press the pedal harder to compensate, its nothing to worry about though." He took it for a quick drive around the lot and came back and said "man, it stops on a dime!" Then i told him about the smell and he just said "yea thats because of the friction... it'll happen" or something. Should i just take it back and tell them to fix it? the smell is getting unbearable and the brakes feel like ****.