(NAPSI)—Safer driving starts with your car’s brakes. A vehicle’s ability to stop is vital to the safety of both the car’s driver and its passengers.

There are telltale signs that may indicate the need to repair or replace a car’s brakes.

These signs include:

• the car pulling to one side when braking instead of stopping in a straight line,

• brakes grabbing, causing jerky stops,

• the brake pedal is either mushy or very hard to depress,

• the brakes must be pumped to work,

• wheels are excessively hot after short drives,

• low or dirty brake fluid,

• brake fluid leaks are seen around any wheel or in the engine,

• brake warning light comes on,

• squealing or grinding noise when brakes are applied,

• pedal pulsation when brakes are applied,

• vehicle fails to roll easily in gear with brake release.

If any of these symptoms occur, it is important to take your vehicle to a trusted automotive service center, to be inspected and if necessary, repaired. Since newer cars use a complex braking system consisting of friction material, rotors and drums, calipers or wheel cylinders and an intricate assembly of springs, hoses, steel lines, valves, and sometimes sensors and computers, it is important to have the car inspected by well-trained and certified technicians, such as those found at Pep Boys.

Your vehicle will receive a comprehensive diagnostic inspection that checks both the condition of your brakes as well as the supporting system. At Pep Boys, a free brake system check includes the inspection and measurements of pads and linings for wear and a visual inspection of the master cylinder, hoses and lines and measurement of drums and rotors. Drum brakes are then cleaned and adjusted for free, if necessary.

To find the nearest Pep Boys location, call 1-800-PEP-BOYS or visit the Web site at pepboys.com.

If a car pulls to one side when braking, it may be a sign that it needs new brakes.