The brake system is the most important safety feature of any passenger vehicle. It is critical that proper procedures and preventive maintenance be performed regularly to avoid not only costly, but in some cases, life-threatening brake system failure.

Common warning signs:

• Squeal - some noise is normal, however, excessive grinding, squeal, chatter or screeching should be investigated
• Vibration - a vibration felt while the brake is applied may be due to rotor imperfections, tires out of round or worn brake hardware components.
• Pull - if the vehicle pulls to one side when the brakes are applied, the brakes may be misadjusted or malfunctioning

Tip:

• It is recommended that a vehicle's brake system be inspected by a certified technician at least once a year, or every 8,000-10,000 miles. If driven in heavy traffic, the system should be inspected every six months.