Imagine, you apply the brakes as you approach an intersection and nothing happens. You push harder against the brake pedal, and still, your vehicle won't slow down. Your heart beats faster, you break into a sweat, and you brace for impact.

Bad brakes can put you between a rock and a hard place - literally - but you can prevent the panic, the sweating, and the expensive accident by having your brake system serviced regularly.

Your vehicle has two kinds of brakes: disc brakes and drum brakes. Disc brakes are usually found on the front wheels. These brakes work like a vise, closing around the outside of the rotor to slow the rotation the front wheels.

On the rear of your vehicle, you’ll find drum brakes. When you depress the brake pedal, brake shoes push against the surface of a rotating brake drum to slow the rotation of the rear wheels.

Signs your brakes are on the fritz

Have you noticed your vehicle doesn’t stop as quickly as it once did? Are you hearing a grinding noise coming from the tire area when you apply the brakes? Do you find that you need to pump your brakes to slow down or stop? if so, you may have a brake problem. Perhaps there’s a leak in your brake line. Maybe your brake pads are worn or your rotors might be warped.

If you’re experiencing any signs that your brakes are under-performing, bring your vehicle into your source for car repair in Chicago: your neighborhood Tuffy location. We’ll take it for a test drive, determine what the problem is, than talk with you about how to address it.

What to do if your brakes do go out

If your brakes fail, try not to panic. Turn on your hazard lights and keep your foot off the accelerator. Signal to change lanes, and move gradually into the right lane, if possible, and into the shoulder if you’re able to safely.

If your vehicle has a manual transmission, shift into a lower gear as your car slows. If your car has an automatic transmission, shift into neutral as your vehicle slows down, and slowly apply the hand brake. If your hand brake fails, steer your wheels gently against a curb.

Once your vehicle comes to a stop, get out, open your hood, and tie a white cloth or towel to your antenna so passing vehicles will know you need assistance. Call for help if you can, or wait for someone to stop. DO NOT attempt to drive a car with failed brakes to a repair shop.

Many Tuffy locations offer towing service, so program the number of your neighborhood location into your cell phone in case of an emergency.