Summer is in full swing and 4th of July is only a few days away. For most Americans, this is the best time to go on a road trip. However, before you hit the highways, you better check on one very important part of your vehicle – the braking system. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that over 2,600 deaths and 100,000 disabling injuries happen every year because of neglected vehicle maintenance. Thus, it really pays to have an auto professional or mechanic check up every part of your vehicle, especially your brakes. Here are some important reminders to help keep your brake system in top shape and always ready for a road trip.

Have your brake system checked and analyzed annually – For best performance, you should have your braking system checked by a technician, preferably one who is certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence or ASE. Your technician should inspect every part of your car’s braking system such as brake lining, rotor, hoses, brake lines, brake fluid level, brake lights and others.

Change your brake fluid regularly – It is recommended that you have your brake fluid changed ever 24,000 miles or two years. Brake fluid will become contaminated over time because of the moisture that gets absorbed from the vehicle’s hydraulic system. This moisture can lead to brake malfunctions, rust, corrosion and other problems. This can lead to dangerous brake failure.

Look out for the symptoms of a bad braking system – Drivers should be aware of the signs of defects in the braking system. These include excessive squealing noise accompanied by burning smell when braking.

Other symptoms that indicate a problem in your brakes are: vehicle pulls to the left or right when braking, brake lights and warning lights come on when driving; brake pedal goes down too far or feels to hard, vibration in the brake pedal, steering wheel, or the entire vehicle when braking.