Is Your Car Safe for Road Trips? What to Check Before You Head Out

Steering wheel not straight? Learn what it really means, how misalignment affects safety and tires, and when to have your vehicle checked.

Dashboard warning lights explained. Learn which lights mean stop driving immediately and which ones mean schedule service before problems get worse.

Most drivers don’t give much thought to their brakes until they start squealing or failing to stop the way they should. But knowing the type of brakes your vehicle has—disc or drum—can help you better understand how they work, how they wear, and why regular maintenance is so important. While both systems do the same job (slowing and stopping your car), they go about it in different ways, and each has its own strengths. The Basics: How Brakes Work At their core, brakes are all about friction. When you press the brake pedal, hydraulic fluid pushes brake components against a spinning surface attached to your wheels. That friction slows the wheel, and eventually, your car. Disc and drum brakes simply use different designs to make that happen. Disc Brakes Disc brakes are the most common setup on modern vehicles, especially on the front wheels. Here’s how they work: A rotor (or disc) spins with the wheel. A caliper squeezes brake pads against both sides of the rotor. The friction slows the rotor, and therefore the wheel. Benefits of Disc Brakes Better stopping power : Because the pads clamp both sides of the rotor, disc brakes provide strong, reliable braking—especially important at high speeds. Better heat dissipation : Discs are exposed to air, so they cool faster and resist brake fade (loss of braking effectiveness when overheated). More responsive : They tend to react quickly, giving you better pedal feel and control. Lower maintenance : Pads are relatively easy to inspect and replace. This is why most vehicles today use disc brakes on at least the front wheels—and many use them all around. Drum Brakes Drum brakes are an older design, but they’re still in use, especially on rear wheels of smaller cars, trucks, and economy models. Here’s the setup: A drum spins with the wheel. Brake shoes inside the drum press outward against the inner surface. Friction between the shoes and drum slows the wheel. Benefits of Drum Brakes Cost-effective : They’re less expensive to manufacture, which helps keep vehicle prices down. Durability : Because they enclose the brake shoes, drums can sometimes last longer before needing service. Parking brake integration : Drum brakes make it easy to include a simple, reliable parking brake mechanism. While they don’t offer the same high-performance stopping power as discs, drum brakes are still effective for everyday driving needs, especially on the rear wheels where less braking force is required. So, Which Does Your Vehicle Have? Most modern cars and SUVs : Disc brakes in front, sometimes drums in the rear. Higher-end and performance vehicles : Disc brakes on all four wheels. Older vehicles and economy models : Often drum brakes in the rear. If you’re unsure, a quick look through your wheel spokes can usually tell you. Flat, shiny metal = disc brake rotor. A solid metal backing plate with no visible rotor = drum brake. Maintenance Differences Both types of brakes need regular attention, but here’s what you can expect: Disc brakes : Pads usually last between 30,000–70,000 miles, depending on driving style and conditions. Rotors may need resurfacing or replacement as they wear. Drum brakes : Shoes can last longer than pads, but when they do wear, the repair process can be more involved. Drums themselves can also warp or crack over time. No matter the system, routine inspections are key. Brakes wear gradually, so most people don’t notice the decline until it becomes a real safety issue. The Bottom Line Whether your car has disc brakes, drum brakes, or a combination of both, the important thing is that they’re working properly. Discs offer better stopping power and performance, while drums provide a cost-effective and durable solution. Both need regular maintenance to keep you safe on the road. Don’t wait until your brakes squeal, grind, or feel spongy. Regular inspections catch problems early, saving you money and keeping your vehicle safe. If you’re not sure what type of brakes your car has—or when they were last serviced— schedule a brake check with us before small issues turn into big ones.

Your car’s suspension system doesn’t always get the same attention as the engine or brakes, but it’s every bit as important. A healthy suspension is what keeps your tires in contact with the road, your steering responsive, and your ride safe and comfortable. Unfortunately, many drivers brush off clunks, squeaks, or a rougher ride as “just an old car thing.” The truth is, ignoring suspension problems can cost you much more than just comfort—it can hit your wallet hard and put your safety at risk. Safety First: Why Suspension Matters Your suspension is designed to do three jobs: keep your tires evenly on the road, give you control when steering or braking, and absorb the bumps and dips of everyday driving. When components like shocks, struts, or ball joints wear out, those three jobs suffer. That means: Longer stopping distances because your tires don’t grip as well. Poor steering response , especially in emergency situations. Increased risk of blowouts from uneven tire wear. Those problems don’t just make driving unpleasant—they make it dangerous. Hidden Costs of a Bad Suspension It’s tempting to ignore a little bounce or a faint rattle, but here’s where that thinking backfires. Suspension issues have a way of creating a domino effect: Tire Damage Worn-out shocks and struts allow your tires to bounce excessively, which causes uneven tread wear. That cuts tire life dramatically, meaning you’re buying a new set thousands of miles sooner than you should. Brake Wear If your suspension isn’t holding the car steady, your brakes have to work harder to stop. You’ll find yourself replacing pads and rotors more often, adding hundreds of dollars in costs. Alignment Issues Suspension problems often throw your alignment out of spec. That doesn’t just cause your steering wheel to sit crooked—it accelerates tire wear and makes your car drift, which means constant corrections while driving. Collateral Damage Ignored long enough, worn suspension parts can damage ball joints, wheel bearings, and even the frame of the car. A repair that could have been a few hundred dollars can easily balloon into the thousands. What It Does to Your Driving Experience Even if money wasn’t a factor, who wants to drive a car that feels like a roller coaster gone wrong? A rough suspension means: Every bump feels like a pothole. The car leans too much when cornering. The steering feels loose or “floaty.” You’re constantly fatigued from keeping the car in its lane.  That daily frustration is avoidable—and fixing the root cause often restores your vehicle’s comfort and confidence overnight. Spotting the Warning Signs Early So, what should you watch for? Here are a few red flags your suspension may be crying out for help: The car dips forward when braking. One corner of the car sits lower than the others. You hear clunks, squeaks, or rattles over bumps. Your steering feels loose or wanders. Your tires are wearing unevenly or faster than expected. If you notice any of these, don’t wait. A quick inspection can confirm whether it’s a minor fix now or a major repair later. The Bottom Line Here’s the reality: suspension repairs aren’t something to put off. While replacing shocks, struts, or ball joints costs money upfront, ignoring the issue usually leads to: Shortened tire life (hundreds of dollars gone). Frequent brake repairs (hundreds more). Possible catastrophic damage (thousands). When you add those up, ignoring suspension problems can easily cost double or triple what a timely repair would. Not to mention the priceless cost of your safety and peace of mind. Suspension problems don’t get better with time. They get worse, and they get expensive. If you’re noticing changes in how your car handles, rides, or brakes, schedule a professional inspection sooner rather than later. Your car, and your wallet, will thank you.

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