Modern vehicles are a marvel of technology and engineering — but even the best of them wear down and need replacement parts from time to time.
Aside from your tires, your brakes are probably the part of your vehicle that need the most care. If it’s been a while since you’ve had the health of your brakes checked, you may be wondering how much further you can push your luck. Here are the signs you should never ignore:
- Your brake light is on. Those dashboard lights are there for a reason. Yours may be telling you that your brakes are due for an inspection — or it could be a sign of real danger. Don’t take the chance.
- You hear noises when you’re using the brakes. Whether you’re just backing out of the garage or you hear a strange whining noise when you roll to a stop at a light, that’s a sure sign that your brake pads are getting old.
- You’re wobbling, rocking or shaking when you brake. Your steering wheel shouldn’t vibrate when you brake — and neither should your vehicle. Any strange vibrations are a sign that you need to get to a repair shop.
- Your brakes feel “soft.” You know what your brakes should feel like when you press them. If they start to feel spongy, get them repaired.
Even if your car is in perfect working order, that’s no guarantee that you’ll be accident-free. You may be out there on the road when some other unfortunate soul’s brakes go completely missing in action. If you end up in a serious accident as a result, you have every right to claim compensation for your medical bills, your pain and suffering and your lost wages — and possibly more. Find out what you need to do to assert your rights.
