The importance of having working brakes on your car is pretty obvious. So, it seems a no-brainer that you would want to keep your brakes functioning optimally. Amazingly, some people do wait until things get bad before they do anything about their brakes. Here's why you shouldn't wait.

Besides the obvious problem of not being able to stop quickly, (which, let's face it, is becoming more and more important these days as people get more and more distracted by their cell phones), there is a host of mechanical problems that can arise from not taking action.

Wear and Tear

First the pads wear down. This, of course, is expected and not a problem as long as you replace them regularly. Next, the brake shoes go. Again not a big problem as these can be inexpensively replaced and are expected to be replaced periodically anyway. The next thing to go is the rotors or drums. Here is where the problems begin, since replacing these will cost you and make your braking power much less efficient. Again, this is going to cost you in both money and safety.

New Pads and Shoes

It's so easy to replace pads and shoes; there is no reason not to. Your mechanic can do it relatively inexpensively once a year. Some mechanically inclined people can do it themselves. It does require some know-how and some specialized tools, but if you are good at auto repair, then it is doable.

The Costs of Not Taking Action

The cost of taking care of any brake problems early on is minimal compared to what it will cost you if you don't. There is a saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." This is especially true when it comes to auto repair. Replacing the pads and shoes once a year will cost you roughly $150-$200. Replacing the rotors and drums will cost you a lot more, roughly $600. That's even more of a reason to trust your auto repair mechanic when they suggest you replace brake pads, if your personal safety wasn't enough. You might be able to get used parts, taken from a lightly used vehicle that was salvaged or scrapped for another reason, and reduce the costs of your preventive maintenance even further. 

Don't wait to fix your brakes. Waiting increases costs of repair, causes more damage to your vehicle, and shortens your vehicle's life. Most importantly you are putting your safety and the safety of others at risk. It's a quick, easy fix and only has to be done once a year.