Brakes are the closest to failsafe installed on a car. They give drivers a tight rein of car operations. Most cars have a brake warning light that reports on the brake system’s condition. It lights up when the brake pad has thinned out considerably that braking becomes barely effective. A worn-out brake pad, however, is not the only indication that a car is running on a defective brake system.

A defective brake system can greatly compromise car safety. Loss of braking power is not the only thing a driver ought to be on the lookout for. In most cases, a car can have an ostensibly up to specs braking power but still have a criminally busted brake system.

These warning signs, which are more or less as dangerous as having a set of worn out brake pads, are often the characteristics of a brake system in bad shape:

The car tugs sideways when braking

The car slides and loses traction during brake operations

The brake pedal becomes either hard or soft and spongy

The steering wheel vibrates when you step on the brakes

The brake operations make a squealing sound

The car puts on the brakes longer than it normally does

The wheels lose traction after braking

So if you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to examine your brakes further. And once you determine that you do need to replace your brakes or other brake parts, don’t hesitate. Safety should always be your number one priority.