Your vehicle's brake system uses a master cylinder, calipers and or wheel cylinders and a net-work of hoses and steel lines to hold the system's life blood -- brake fluid -- under pressure, it is this fluid pressure that makes modern braking systems so reliable and safe.

When you step on the brake pedal, the master cylinder transmits the force from your foot pressure to the brake fluid in the hoses and lines. In turn, the pressurized brake fluid pushes the wheel cylinders on drum brakes or calipers on disc brakes. This movement of fluid causes the internal parts of the wheel cylinder or caliper to move outward, pushing the brake shoes or disc pads against the brake rotor or drum . The contact between these parts causes friction (heat) which brings your car to a controlled stop.

To make sure your system stays reliable, it's crucial that you have your vehicle's brakes inspect-ed periodically. And, it is equally important to make sure it is a complete inspection, performed by a trained technician. Unfortunately, wear on brake shoes and pads is the only wear that's easily visible, so the rest of the brake system's components can be overlooked or ignored until it is too late.