When it comes to safety on the road, one of the most important aspects of vehicle maintenance is the brakes. While just two percent of all accidents in the U.S. are caused by brake failure, it is still extremely dangerous and, in most cases, preventable with routine maintenance. Brake failure is often gradual, and cars show plenty of warning signs when brake maintenance is needed before your car’s brakes stop working completely. Industry experts recommend replacing the brake pads every 10 – 20,000 miles to keep wear to a minimum. Like with many car maintenance tasks, neglecting routine brake maintenance can incur further damage to your car’s mechanics or auto body, or it could lead to a serious accident. But if you’ve forgotten to take your car in for regular brake maintenance, or you’ve purchased a used car recently and aren’t sure what shape the brake pads are in, here are some telltale signs to look, listen, and sniff for.

1 – Squealing or clicking noises.

If you hear a squealing noise while driving your car that seems to stop when you brake, that is most likely a sign that your car’s brake pads need replacing. Brake pads make a very annoying sound when they’re worn down due to the wear indicators rubbing against the brake pad rotor.

Alternatively, if you hear a clicking noise when you press the brakes, that’s a sign that the brake pads could be loose. They should be inspected in this case as well.

2 – Take longer to break or being extra sensitive to braking.

If you notice that your car is taking longer to brake, that’s another sign that your brakes need to get checked out. Alternatively, brakes that are very sensitive or “sudden” could indicate a brake fluid level or other issue. Additionally, if you feel vibrations in the brakes when you use them, that can be another sign of a problem.

3 – Your car pulls to one side.

Keep note of how your car moves when you brake. If a vehicle tends to drift to one side when braking, this could mean that the brake pads are wearing unevenly. In that case, leaving the problem could cause damage to other parts of your car, like the ball joints or steering column. Be sure to replace both brake pads promptly to avoid further issues.

4 – Visible signs of wear.

Sometimes, knowing if your brakes need to be repaired is as easy as taking a look at the brake pads. You may have to remove the wheels to do this, but brake pads should be at least a quarter inch thick. If it’s thinner than that, it’s definitely time to have them inspected.

5 – Fluid leaks.

This sign may be more difficult to decipher because cars can leak fluid for all sorts of reasons, from the air conditioning to the transmission to the engine. Brake fluid is yellow or light brown, similar to vegetable oil. If you’re not sure, head to a mechanic.

6 – A burning smell.

The smell of burnt rubber after you hit the brakes is a strong indication that your brake system has overheated. Continuing to drive your vehicle when the brake system is overheating can damage the brake line and cause brake failure, which can be dangerous.

Neglecting Brake Maintenance Can Increase Risk of Accidents & Vehicle Damage

The bottom line? When in doubt, get your brakes checked out. While accidents due to brake failure are rare, and it is very rare for brakes to fail without warning, accidents can still happen, from minor fender-benders to severe collisions. The risks increase in inclement weather, especially on wet or icy roads.

If your brakes do fail while you’re driving, here are a few safety tips:

• Try to remain calm and remove your foot from the gas.
• Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers.
• Keep your wheel straight; do not try to crash into anything to stop the car from moving.
• If your car has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), press the brake pedal down as far as it can go.
• If your car does not have ABS, pump the brake as hard and fast as possible.
• Shift the car into a lower gear; this will help the engine slow the car down.
• Steer your car to a clear spot on the shoulder of the road.
• Once your car has slowed down significantly, apply the emergency brake. Do this as gently as possible to prevent your wheels from locking up, which can be dangerous.
• Once the car has stopped moving, turn the engine off and call for roadside assistance. Do not try to turn the car on or drive it until the brakes have been repaired by a mechanic.

If your brakes fail and cause you to get into an accident, be sure to follow these post-accident safety tips for gathering information from other drivers at the scene, contacting your auto insurer, and finding a local auto body shop near you.

Find a Collision Repair Shop Near You

If you are in a crash as the result of a brake failure, Carwise can help. To find a reputable body shop near you, search Carwise.com and read reviews from real customers, find shop hours and locations, before and after photos, and certifications. With more than 21,000+ shops to choose from, Carwise.com will help you find your perfect fit. Get started today: https://www.carwise.com/auto-body-shops/.

Your car was recently involved in a low impact fender bender which dented the bumper and scratched some paint.  Because the accident was so minor, you’ve decided to skip taking it to an auto body shop.  But is that wise?  Even minor fender benders can cause more serious underlying problems to your car that may not show up until later.  And when those issues finally present themselves, repairs can be costly.  Whenever your vehicle sustains body damage that’s more than paint scratches it’s wise to have it inspected at a collision repair shop.  Here’s why.

Potential Electrical System Failure 

Your car’s electrical wiring is delicate, and even a minor jolt could have loosened wires.  Those won’t be noticeable at first, but could potentially cause a short.  Shorts can lead to power windows and door locks that malfunction, along with your vehicle’s antitheft system.  In the event of a front-end fender bender, a battery connector could get knocked loose, meaning that the battery may not recharge properly and/or the aforementioned electrical components on your car may start acting up.  A body shop technician can inspect your wiring after removing the damaged body panel or bumper cover.

The Alignment May Be Off

This occurs more frequently in front-end fender benders, as they commonly will cause misaligned tires.  As a result, your car could begin pulling to one side or the other, or the ride will seem rough and uncomfortable.  This could lead to uneven tire tread wear and vehicle handling difficulties.  And, replacing a set of tires is an expensive undertaking.  After a fender bender of any kind, your alignment should be professionally checked.

Your Car’s Frame Could Be Bent

If your auto is involved in even a low speed accident, the frame could sustain damage.  Although unnoticeable by you, a slightly bent frame can cause your vehicle’s structural integrity to be compromised.  When that happens, it can adversely alter how effectively your air bag deploys in an accident.  Additionally, your car’s ability to absorb an impact, especially a more serious one, is jeopardized.  Collision repair shops have equipment that can measure how straight your car’s frame is, and whether it matches OEM factory specifications.

Other Lingering Fender Bender Issues

In addition to the fender bender issues mentioned above, there are other lingering and potentially expensive problems that may be concealed from your view.  Those include:

• Transmission problems- All-wheel drive (AWD) autos are especially susceptible to these even when rear-ended slightly. AWD cars have drive shafts that can easily get pushed into the vehicle’s transmission, creating the potential for expensive repairs.
• Rust opportunities- Even minor scratches or dings may expose underlying metal, as paint serves to protect the body from water. When it comes in contact with water or road salt, your car’s metal structural materials can rust.
• Wheel well rubbing- If your car’s body panel gets manipulated at all during a fender bender, metal or plastic material could possibly start rubbing a spinning tire and cause damage to it.
• Suspension & steering problems- On most vehicles these are very delicate and even low speed impacts can knock them out of whack. That will negatively affect how your car handles or rides.  Hitting a pothole can also cause damage to your suspension and/or steering systems.
• Engine mechanical performance- If you are involved in even a low speed front end accident, modern engine components are complex and intricate. Minor damage to any of those systems can cause more serious mechanical issues later.

Get Your Fender Bender Damage Checked by a Pro

Even low impact fender benders can disrupt your car’s mechanical performance and compromise safety.  And, any required future repairs can be costly as opposed to getting your car immediately inspected.   When a fender bender strikes have your car checked out by a professional auto body technician right away.  To search your zip code for a reliable collision repair shop nearby, visit www.carwise.com now.