(NAPSA)—Brakesarea critical component for maintaining vehicle safety. Whether it’s trying to stop your vehicle on an icy, snowpacked road or slowing down on a rain-soaked highway, properly functioning brakes are key to maintaining control of the vehicle. ene However, brake wear can com- promise vehicle performance and, ultimately, threaten vehicle safety. AAA encourages motorists to have a certified technician inspect their brakes to ensure they are ready for whatever Mother Nature has to offer. In an article featured on theautochannel.com, John Nielsen, director, AAA Auto Repair and Buying Services, noted that there are several warning signs that motorists should closely monitor to identify and resolve brake wear before it can impactvehicle safety. “Often, the first sign of worn brakes is a brake pedal that seems to require more pressure to stop the vehicle. Scraping, squeaking or chirping noises that come from the wheels when the brakes are applied are other signs of potentially excessive brake wear. A car that pulls to the left or right when the brakes are applied could also meantrouble,” Nielsen said. He further advises consumers to ask for an annual brakeinspection when takingtheir vehicle into an auto repair shop for service. Complete Brake Inspection Includes Hardware According to Chris Miller, Product Development Engineer, of International Brake Industries (IBI), consumers should ask their technician to also inspect their vehicle’s brake hardware in order to ensure that their vehicle receives a complete brake job. Miller explained that brake noise is the No. 1 cause of dissatisfaction and complaints about brake systems. Brake noise is usually caused by the vibration of compo- For a few extra dollars, car owners can enhancevehicle safety and protect their investment in brake pads and shoesbyreplacing their vehicle’s brake hardware. will wear out over time and can’t function if the parts are corroded or stretched. If brake hardware is worn, it can even cause newly installed brake pads to wear out prematurely, reducing the life span of the pads and shoes. Brake hardware—including clips, bolts, rubber bushings, rubber seals and springs—is integral to the proper operation of the vehicle’s entire braking system. “It’s very commonfor drivers to leave an auto repair shop with newly replaced pads and shoes, but still experience brake noise because their brake hardware was not replaced,” Miller said. “We have a simple message for consumers: For a few extra dollars, you can protect your investment in brake pads and shoes and ensure optimum performance byalso replacing your vehicle’s brake hardware.” Superior Brake Performance installed and secured—typically, it’s not the fault of brake pads or shoes, but it can more likely be caused by worn-out brake hardware. To reduce brake noise and drag (that is, brake pad friction, which can affect fuel economy), IBI recently introduced the new line of QuietGlide brakeclips. QuietGlide brakeclips feature a coating of vulcanized rubber on one side to reduce brake noise and a low-friction PTFE coating on the other side of the clip to reduce drag. By installing new QuietGlide brake clips, consumers are truly receiving a complete brake job— ensuring smoother, quieter riding brakes and extending thelife of their brake pads and shoes. chanical parts, brake hardware www.completebrakejob.com. nents that are not properly He added that, like most me- For more information, visit
