Few car parts are as important to your safety as are your auto’s brakes. Yet most of us ignore them. Brakes that aren’t functioning properly can lead to serious car accidents; you don’t want yours to fail when you turn a sharp corner to see a stalled car just feet from the front of your vehicle. The question, then, is this: How do you know when you need new brakes?

The best way to determine if it’s time to replace your car’s brake pads is to rely on your ears. Many vehicles today come with a warning signal that tells you exactly when it’s time to take your car into the shop for a brake job. It’s a signal that’s hard to misplace for anything else.

Generally, when your brakes need replacing, you’ll hear a high-pitched whining sound while you’re driving. You won’t hear this sound when you’re applying pressure to your brakes, just as your vehicle is moving. Credit this to a handy little device known as an indicator. Car manufacturers insert them in their vehicles as a way to alert drivers to brake problems.

You should be able to hear this sound even with your car windows rolled up. Don’t crank up the radio and ignore it. It’s warning you of a serious repair job that should not be tackled as soon as possible.

You should also listen to a grinding sign when you brake your car. This is a good way to tell that brakes need some repair, especially if your vehicle doesn’t come with a built-in indicator to warn you. Again, grinding brakes are an indication of serious problem with your brakes. Don’t ignore the sound; your brakes aren’t going to magically fix themselves.

Brake jobs usually aren’t cheap. In today’s economy, no one wants to spend large sums of money on car repairs. Owning a car, what with higher gas and insurance prices, is expensive enough. But replacing old brake pads simply shouldn’t be put off. If you do, you can put not only yourself at risk, but your passengers, too.

Maintaining your car’s brakes is one sign that you are a responsible vehicle owner. As soon as you hear a high-pitched whining or a grinding sound, take your vehicle to the nearest mechanic. Then, when you drive out with new brake pads, you can drive down your city’s streets confident that you have put safety first.