Can you remember the last time you had your brakes serviced? If not, that's probably a sign that it's time to have them looked at. It's a good idea to have your brakes examined every year to ensure they are in good shape. After all, don't you want to be confident that when you need your vehicle to come to a complete stop, it will?

Needless to say, your brakes are one of the most crucial safety features on your vehicle and get utilized every time you drive.

There are two types of braking systems on most automobiles; standard brakes & ABS. A typical braking system is made up of the rotor, the caliper, and brake pads or shoes.

What You Need to Know About Your Brakes

In order for your brakes to properly stop your vehicle, they should be in proper operating order and not worn down at the rotors. Considering that this is a system that you use daily, make sure not to ignore any sort of issues. Any small changes can signify that your brakes require repair. For best performance and safety, have them examined on a regular basis.

If you observe any of the following, have your mechanic check your brakes right away:

A high-pitched squeak when you press the brakes
A scratching or grinding noise when not braking
Shaking or vibrating when stopping your vehicle
More pressure required to bring the vehicle to a complete stop
Remember to have your brakes inspected annually, and even more often if you drive regularly in urban area traffic or if you live in a hilly region.

To maintain your brakes:

Never drive with the parking brake on
Have your brake fluid examined and replaced as needed
Pay attention to how often you need to add fluid. If it's more than every couple of months, you may have a hole

The quicker you examine issues and change brake pads, the safer your car will be. Prolonging brake issues could lead to another more costly car repair down the road.