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When you get the urge to eat out but you don't want to break the bank, Ellisville has a great choice of inexpensive restaurants. And cheap doesn't mean you have to settle for poor quality. Here are five of the best restaurants for dinner on a budget. Boardwalk Pizza This pizza restaurant gets consistently good reviews for the friendly owner and staff and the quality of the food. The menu isn't huge, but what they do, they do well. Appetizers include wings with a choice of four sauces, toasted ravioli, and Land Shark Pork Bites. The specialty pizzas are freshly made with hand-tossed dough and feature names like Shark Attack, Hurricane, and Big Kahuna. You can get $5.99 lunch specials with a three-topping pizza, calzone, sub, or wings, along with a side salad or chips and a 24-ounce fountain beverage. Clancy's Irish Pub & Grill The friendly, family-run Clancy's on Old State Road prides themselves on being an established part of the community. It's a great place to meet with friends and have an ice-cold beer or a crafted cocktail. They offer casual dining with traditional American dishes and an Irish influence. The starters menu features a good choice, including a pile of fresh homemade Irish Chips for $5.99. Burgers start at $7.99, while you can get entrees like Nick's Kickin' Chicken for $9.49 or a fried shrimp dinner for $9.99. Watch out for the special $1 burger nights! Peppers Deli & BBQ Peppers Deli is an unassuming place that serves great food at low prices. It's counter service, but you can sit inside or, weather permitting, on the outdoor patio. They slow smoke meat over a hickory fire and the place always smells amazing. For extra flavor, they have their own line of sauces — not that they're needed. You can get freshly made salads and different gourmet homemade soups each day. From the barbecue, you can choose the chopped Angus brisket, which is smoked for 16 hours, pulled pork or chicken, or handmade burgers. Or you could opt for one of the unique combos, like the Garden Grinder, Screwy Schue, or Smokin' Gobbler. Asian House Restaurant The Asian House is a small, family-run business offering freshly prepared Chinese and Japanese cuisine. The pleasant, clean decor creates a lovely atmosphere. There is an excellent selection of sushi rolls, including signature rolls, the chef's specials, and nigiri sushi. The main menu has plenty of meat, seafood, and vegetarian dishes to choose from. You can also get lunch specials ranging from $6.75 to $7.75. Yiro Gyro For a taste of Greece, Yiro Gyro hits the spot. The small menu features freshly made gyros, doner kebabs, meat and falafel combos, and veggie options, and the portions are generous. You can add some authentic Greek sauces to your meal. The Classic Gyro is $7.95 and the veggie version is $7.25. Whatever food takes your fancy, you can find a good quality, budget-priced restaurant in Ellisville, MO where you eat in, get takeout, or have it delivered. Image via Flickr by pizzamasetti | CC BY 2.0.

Driving on busy city streets or congested highways, especially during rush hour, can be a stressful experience. However, for some drivers, the roads become a battlefield. The slightest infringement of their space, intentional or not, will see them losing their temper and looking for revenge. Road rage is now all too common, so here are five tips for dealing with it. Drive Courteously None of us are perfect drivers and we all make mistakes. But you can strive to be a good driver. Treat other road users with respect — not just drivers, but pedestrians and cyclists also. Use your turn signals at intersections and before changing lanes. Make sure that any maneuver you plan to make is not going to impede anyone else. Don't use your horn unless it's really necessary, and never tailgate the driver in front. Stay Calm You should always try to stay calm when you're driving. Planning your route in advance and allowing plenty of time for the journey will help to keep your stress levels down. Tune into your favorite radio station or put on a relaxing playlist. If you do get held up and you're running late, getting stressed, frustrated, or angry about it is not going to get you to your destination any quicker. Try to accept the situation for what it is, turn the music up, think nice thoughts, and, above all, stay calm. It's Nothing Personal If you become aware of someone near you driving aggressively, give them plenty of space and don't antagonize them. Don't let their negative actions drag you into some kind of dispute — it's not personal. When you're being aggressively tailgated, don't change your speed or make gestures at the driver. If you get the opportunity and it's safe to do so, change lanes or pull over to let them pass. Similarly, if someone tries to cut you off, let them. What's it going to cost you? Trying to block them will only cause conflict. Smile Sometimes, all it takes to diffuse a difficult situation is a smile and a wave. If you make a mistake and cut someone off and they start pounding their horn, hold your hands up, smile, and let them know that you're sorry. They will have made their point and should be satisfied with your apology. You never know, you might even get a smile in return. Safety First If a situation escalates and an aggressive driver gets out of their car and heads toward you, try to stay calm. Lock the doors, roll up the windows, and, if you feel threatened, call the police. In most cases, the aggressor will just yell a lot. If they start to follow you in their car, drive toward a police station or a crowded place with security cameras. Don't lead them to your home or work. These tips should help you to deal with or prevent road rage incidents. If you are involved in a confrontation, allow yourself time to calm down before driving. Image via Flickr by Patrick Feller | CC BY 2.0.

Driving on busy city streets or congested highways, especially during rush hour, can be a stressful experience. However, for some drivers, the roads become a battlefield. The slightest infringement of their space, intentional or not, will see them losing their temper and looking for revenge. Road rage is now all too common, so here are five tips for dealing with it. Drive Courteously None of us are perfect drivers and we all make mistakes. But you can strive to be a good driver. Treat other road users with respect — not just drivers, but pedestrians and cyclists also. Use your turn signals at intersections and before changing lanes. Make sure that any maneuver you plan to make is not going to impede anyone else. Don't use your horn unless it's really necessary, and never tailgate the driver in front. Stay Calm You should always try to stay calm when you're driving. Planning your route in advance and allowing plenty of time for the journey will help to keep your stress levels down. Tune into your favorite radio station or put on a relaxing playlist. If you do get held up and you're running late, getting stressed, frustrated, or angry about it is not going to get you to your destination any quicker. Try to accept the situation for what it is, turn the music up, think nice thoughts, and, above all, stay calm. It's Nothing Personal If you become aware of someone near you driving aggressively, give them plenty of space and don't antagonize them. Don't let their negative actions drag you into some kind of dispute — it's not personal. When you're being aggressively tailgated, don't change your speed or make gestures at the driver. If you get the opportunity and it's safe to do so, change lanes or pull over to let them pass. Similarly, if someone tries to cut you off, let them. What's it going to cost you? Trying to block them will only cause conflict. Smile Sometimes, all it takes to diffuse a difficult situation is a smile and a wave. If you make a mistake and cut someone off and they start pounding their horn, hold your hands up, smile, and let them know that you're sorry. They will have made their point and should be satisfied with your apology. You never know, you might even get a smile in return. Safety First If a situation escalates and an aggressive driver gets out of their car and heads toward you, try to stay calm. Lock the doors, roll up the windows, and, if you feel threatened, call the police. In most cases, the aggressor will just yell a lot. If they start to follow you in their car, drive toward a police station or a crowded place with security cameras. Don't lead them to your home or work. These tips should help you to deal with or prevent road rage incidents. If you are involved in a confrontation, allow yourself time to calm down before driving. Image via Flickr by Patrick Feller | CC BY 2.0.

Winter is a great time to have fun in Missouri, especially if you're in the St. Louis area. In fact, there are quite a few excellent entertainment options within easy reach of the city of Ellisville. Here are just some of our favorites. Ice Skating Strap on your ice skates and hit the rink. Visit St. Louis's Kiener Plaza between Nov. 17, 2018, and Jan. 1, 2019, to participate in Winterfest. In addition to ice skating, this festival has a playground and hot chocolate. You can also drive just over half an hour to get to the city of Florissant, where you'll find the James J. Eagan Ice Rink. Enjoy a selection of tasty snacks from the concession stand before getting onto the ice. Of course, if it's just too cold to be outside — or not cold enough for real ice — there are plenty of indoor rinks in the area. Skiing or Snowboarding Ice skating is a lot of fun, but sometimes you need to up the adrenaline factor. Skiing and snowboarding are an ideal way to get a more extreme winter thrill. We recommend visiting the Hidden Valley Ski Resort in Wildwood; it's only about 15 minutes from Ellisville and has about 30 acres of slopes to enjoy. While the snow is mostly machine-made, that'll be the last thing on your mind as you're careening downhill on skis, a snowboard, or even a snow tube. Tickets are about $50 for adults and $30 for children, with additional fees if you need to rent your equipment. Bird Watching Get back to basics by going out in nature and seeing the local wildlife. We're not talking about songbirds, either — the nearby towns of Alton and Grafton are home to one of the biggest bald eagle populations in the country. A bald eagle's nest can be as big as 5 feet in diameter and 4 feet deep, and you'll have the chance to watch the birds constructing their nests if you visit during the winter. This bird is much more than a symbol of America. It's also a fascinating predator with well-documented chick-rearing behavior. Don't miss your chance to see one in the wild. Try an Escape Room Even in the worst winter weather, you'll have a blast at an escape room. These are interactive experiences where you'll be locked in a room and given a set amount of time, usually an hour, to solve a series of clues and puzzles, advancing a storyline and allowing you to claim victory and “escape.” Multiple companies offer these games in our area. Breakout Games has rooms themed after a museum heist, kidnapping scenario, and erupting volcano. Mastermind Room Escape also has elaborately themed puzzles centered around favorite Christmas movies like "Home Alone" and "Elf," which ideal for the winter season. Don't let the winter blues get you down; there's so much to do in Ellisville that we'd be tempted to call it our favorite season. Start with one of these fun activities to get off on the right foot. Image via Flickr by oskarlin | CC BY-SA 2.0.

Winter is a great time to have fun in Missouri, especially if you're in the St. Louis area. In fact, there are quite a few excellent entertainment options within easy reach of the city of Ellisville. Here are just some of our favorites. Ice Skating Strap on your ice skates and hit the rink. Visit St. Louis's Kiener Plaza between Nov. 17, 2018, and Jan. 1, 2019, to participate in Winterfest. In addition to ice skating, this festival has a playground and hot chocolate. You can also drive just over half an hour to get to the city of Florissant, where you'll find the James J. Eagan Ice Rink. Enjoy a selection of tasty snacks from the concession stand before getting onto the ice. Of course, if it's just too cold to be outside — or not cold enough for real ice — there are plenty of indoor rinks in the area. Skiing or Snowboarding Ice skating is a lot of fun, but sometimes you need to up the adrenaline factor. Skiing and snowboarding are an ideal way to get a more extreme winter thrill. We recommend visiting the Hidden Valley Ski Resort in Wildwood; it's only about 15 minutes from Ellisville and has about 30 acres of slopes to enjoy. While the snow is mostly machine-made, that'll be the last thing on your mind as you're careening downhill on skis, a snowboard, or even a snow tube. Tickets are about $50 for adults and $30 for children, with additional fees if you need to rent your equipment. Bird Watching Get back to basics by going out in nature and seeing the local wildlife. We're not talking about songbirds, either — the nearby towns of Alton and Grafton are home to one of the biggest bald eagle populations in the country. A bald eagle's nest can be as big as 5 feet in diameter and 4 feet deep, and you'll have the chance to watch the birds constructing their nests if you visit during the winter. This bird is much more than a symbol of America. It's also a fascinating predator with well-documented chick-rearing behavior. Don't miss your chance to see one in the wild. Try an Escape Room Even in the worst winter weather, you'll have a blast at an escape room. These are interactive experiences where you'll be locked in a room and given a set amount of time, usually an hour, to solve a series of clues and puzzles, advancing a storyline and allowing you to claim victory and “escape.” Multiple companies offer these games in our area. Breakout Games has rooms themed after a museum heist, kidnapping scenario, and erupting volcano. Mastermind Room Escape also has elaborately themed puzzles centered around favorite Christmas movies like "Home Alone" and "Elf," which ideal for the winter season. Don't let the winter blues get you down; there's so much to do in Ellisville that we'd be tempted to call it our favorite season. Start with one of these fun activities to get off on the right foot. Image via Flickr by oskarlin | CC BY-SA 2.0.

There's a reason crossovers are enjoying an increasing popularity: They're versatile, comfortable, and reasonably affordable vehicles usually packed with great features. The 2019 Mazda CX-3 is no exception. Here's what you can expect from the newest version of this compact SUV. Three Trim Levels Find the perfect match when you select from one of three versions of the 2019 Mazda CX-3. The Sport trim is the entry-level model, and it comes with 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels, body-color side mirrors with integrated turn signals, and a rear roofline spoiler. Next is the Touring trim, which improves upon the base version by introducing automatic headlights, 18-inch wheels, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. You might want to consider the final trim, the Grand Touring model, if you're in need of luxury. This trim comes with a power-operated moonroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and leather-trimmed sport seats. Versatile Performance Enjoy the unique ability of the crossover class to tackle roads of different types. All three trims of the 2019 Mazda CX-3 can be equipped with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on your preference. Each trim is also powered by a 2.0-liter engine that produces 148 horsepower while utilizing modern fuel-saving technology. You'll take control of this engine with an easy-to-operate automatic transmission that can be popped into Sport mode for a decidedly satisfying feel. Indeed, reviewers have praised the crossover's sporty driving dynamics, including responsive steering and handling. The crossover is also capable of easily navigating roads in snowy or wet conditions. Comfortable Interior Stretch out and appreciate the roomy interior of the 2019 Mazda CX-3. The crossover is furnished with either suede or leather seats, harmonious color schemes, and a climate control system with pollen control. Depending on the trim you choose, you can also take advantage of truly luxurious amenities, such as a seven-speaker sound system with HD and satellite radio, heated seats, and plenty of storage compartments. Each model of the CX-3 comes with a 7-inch touchscreen display, allowing you to access entertainment and navigation software with ease. There's even a 12-volt power outlet in the cabin to keep your mobile devices charged at all times. Safety Features The comparatively larger design of a subcompact crossover or compact SUV offers an increased sense of security when contrasted with a small passenger vehicle. This is enhanced by the suite of safety technologies Mazda has incorporated into the new CX-3. A collision-warning system reads the road ahead of you and applies the brakes automatically if you're in danger of getting into an accident, and a lane-departure warning system helps you remain in your own lane and prevent drifting. Best of all, these modern safety features are available on all three CX-3 trims. Thanks to these excellent features, we're confident that you'll quickly fall in love with the 2019 Mazda CX-3. Get started by browsing our current inventory of this exciting new crossover and stopping by to take a test drive. Image courtesy of www.mazdausa.com.

There's a reason crossovers are enjoying an increasing popularity: They're versatile, comfortable, and reasonably affordable vehicles usually packed with great features. The 2019 Mazda CX-3 is no exception. Here's what you can expect from the newest version of this compact SUV. Three Trim Levels Find the perfect match when you select from one of three versions of the 2019 Mazda CX-3. The Sport trim is the entry-level model, and it comes with 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels, body-color side mirrors with integrated turn signals, and a rear roofline spoiler. Next is the Touring trim, which improves upon the base version by introducing automatic headlights, 18-inch wheels, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. You might want to consider the final trim, the Grand Touring model, if you're in need of luxury. This trim comes with a power-operated moonroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and leather-trimmed sport seats. Versatile Performance Enjoy the unique ability of the crossover class to tackle roads of different types. All three trims of the 2019 Mazda CX-3 can be equipped with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on your preference. Each trim is also powered by a 2.0-liter engine that produces 148 horsepower while utilizing modern fuel-saving technology. You'll take control of this engine with an easy-to-operate automatic transmission that can be popped into Sport mode for a decidedly satisfying feel. Indeed, reviewers have praised the crossover's sporty driving dynamics, including responsive steering and handling. The crossover is also capable of easily navigating roads in snowy or wet conditions. Comfortable Interior Stretch out and appreciate the roomy interior of the 2019 Mazda CX-3. The crossover is furnished with either suede or leather seats, harmonious color schemes, and a climate control system with pollen control. Depending on the trim you choose, you can also take advantage of truly luxurious amenities, such as a seven-speaker sound system with HD and satellite radio, heated seats, and plenty of storage compartments. Each model of the CX-3 comes with a 7-inch touchscreen display, allowing you to access entertainment and navigation software with ease. There's even a 12-volt power outlet in the cabin to keep your mobile devices charged at all times. Safety Features The comparatively larger design of a subcompact crossover or compact SUV offers an increased sense of security when contrasted with a small passenger vehicle. This is enhanced by the suite of safety technologies Mazda has incorporated into the new CX-3. A collision-warning system reads the road ahead of you and applies the brakes automatically if you're in danger of getting into an accident, and a lane-departure warning system helps you remain in your own lane and prevent drifting. Best of all, these modern safety features are available on all three CX-3 trims. Thanks to these excellent features, we're confident that you'll quickly fall in love with the 2019 Mazda CX-3. Get started by browsing our current inventory of this exciting new crossover and stopping by to take a test drive. Image courtesy of www.mazdausa.com.

St. Louis may be known for the Gateway Arch, but you'll be surprised to see how many fitness centers are in the city. If you are looking to start exercising, St. Louis has plenty of options for you. Fit City Gym Fit City Gym is at 1601 S. Jefferson Ave. in the Gate District. It is open from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Fit City is a 24,000-square-foot facility loaded with brand-new, state-of-the-art workout equipment from wall to wall and a large selection of cardio machines. Fit City offers two memberships: basic and premium. Basic gives you access to the gym, locker rooms, sauna, and two free training sessions. The premium membership adds on unlimited tanning, access to a babysitting area, and half off smoothies. You can visit the gym for free on your first visit, and be sure to check out frequently changing enrollment specials. Fitness Formula Fitness Formula is in the Central West End at 4630 Lindell Blvd. Hours are 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. This gym's focus is on group classes, but if that isn't your thing, you can use the facilities at your own pace. Some of the group classes include Formula Total Body, Strength and Cardio Core Blast. These classes are heart-rate monitored to make sure you are burning the most calories possible. Fitness Formula has many membership options, You can do open gym by the day, week, or month, purchase packs of classes, or opt for class memberships. Southtown Yoga Southtown Yoga can be found at 1905 Park Ave. in Lafayette Square. The class schedule varies, but they usually practice daily, sometimes beginning as early as 6 a.m. and as late at 8:30 p.m. The classes offered include aligned flow and meditation, beginners, underground yoga Buti style, yoga basics, and aligned flow. Southtown Yoga does have a unique class called Yogahour Give!, which gives half of the profits of that class to a local charity. Memberships to Southtown Yoga range from a $10 to $15 for a single drop-in session, $95 a month for unlimited classes, or $1,000 for an entire year of unlimited classes. Arch City CrossFit Arch City CrossFit is at 9228 Manchester Road and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Arch City has two CrossFit classes: XM Weightlifting and XM Sweat. XM Weightlifting focuses on strength and technique, while XM Sweat is a high-intensity workout. You can sign up for either eight classes a month at $120, 12 classes a month at $145, or $160 a month for unlimited classes. Arch City has one free Saturday a month where you can try out the gym. If you are feeling out of shape, then make your way to any of these gyms or studios and start a new routine. Your body will feel great once you start working out. Image via Flickr by ThoroughlyReviewed | CC BY 2.0.

St. Louis may be known for the Gateway Arch, but you'll be surprised to see how many fitness centers are in the city. If you are looking to start exercising, St. Louis has plenty of options for you. Fit City Gym Fit City Gym is at 1601 S. Jefferson Ave. in the Gate District. It is open from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Fit City is a 24,000-square-foot facility loaded with brand-new, state-of-the-art workout equipment from wall to wall and a large selection of cardio machines. Fit City offers two memberships: basic and premium. Basic gives you access to the gym, locker rooms, sauna, and two free training sessions. The premium membership adds on unlimited tanning, access to a babysitting area, and half off smoothies. You can visit the gym for free on your first visit, and be sure to check out frequently changing enrollment specials. Fitness Formula Fitness Formula is in the Central West End at 4630 Lindell Blvd. Hours are 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. This gym's focus is on group classes, but if that isn't your thing, you can use the facilities at your own pace. Some of the group classes include Formula Total Body, Strength and Cardio Core Blast. These classes are heart-rate monitored to make sure you are burning the most calories possible. Fitness Formula has many membership options, You can do open gym by the day, week, or month, purchase packs of classes, or opt for class memberships. Southtown Yoga Southtown Yoga can be found at 1905 Park Ave. in Lafayette Square. The class schedule varies, but they usually practice daily, sometimes beginning as early as 6 a.m. and as late at 8:30 p.m. The classes offered include aligned flow and meditation, beginners, underground yoga Buti style, yoga basics, and aligned flow. Southtown Yoga does have a unique class called Yogahour Give!, which gives half of the profits of that class to a local charity. Memberships to Southtown Yoga range from a $10 to $15 for a single drop-in session, $95 a month for unlimited classes, or $1,000 for an entire year of unlimited classes. Arch City CrossFit Arch City CrossFit is at 9228 Manchester Road and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Arch City has two CrossFit classes: XM Weightlifting and XM Sweat. XM Weightlifting focuses on strength and technique, while XM Sweat is a high-intensity workout. You can sign up for either eight classes a month at $120, 12 classes a month at $145, or $160 a month for unlimited classes. Arch City has one free Saturday a month where you can try out the gym. If you are feeling out of shape, then make your way to any of these gyms or studios and start a new routine. Your body will feel great once you start working out. Image via Flickr by ThoroughlyReviewed | CC BY 2.0.

As they're one of the most important components of your vehicle, you rely on your brakes every day. But how do you know if your brakes are in need of repair? We've put together this short list of some of the most common warning signs. Brake Pad Thickness Examine your car's brake pads periodically. You should be able to get a good look at them through the spokes of your wheels. As long as the pads are at least one-quarter of an inch thick, they are probably in good shape. If the pads are any thinner, though, they may have worn out beyond their useful lifespan and will need to be replaced. Checking the pads is one of the best ways to see how your brakes are doing because it involves clear visual evidence instead of the interpretation of mysterious noises. But sometimes you'll need to use your ears, too. Squealing or Squeaking Brakes If you've ever applied your vehicle's brakes and heard a long, drawn-out squealing sound, you'll know exactly what we're talking about. There's good news and bad news about this particular noise, though. The good news is that your brakes probably aren't about to fail catastrophically. The squeaking noise you're hearing is generated by a small metal shim that's designed to make this noise when it's time for new brakes. The bad news, of course, is that it's time for new brakes. This little shim may be a non-vital brake component, but it's important to have your car serviced before anything more serious goes wrong. Decreased Performance Pay attention to how your brakes feel when you're using them. This is a more vague concept than listening for a squeal or checking the thickness of the pads, but it's equally important. Some major warning signs are longer stopping distances, a spongy or soft feeling when you brake, shuddering when braking, and the vehicle pulling to the side when braking. The longer you drive when encountering these symptoms, the more damage to your vehicle you're risking. Remember, braking is driven by a metal-on-metal contact action, and any mechanical problem with your brakes could have serious consequences. Scheduled Replacement The passage of time can be another reason to have your brakes replaced. Unfortunately, there is no universal rule when it comes to replacing your brakes on a regular schedule. Consider your driving habits; if you apply the brakes smoothly and gradually, you can prolong their lifespan. In contrast, riding the brakes and braking abruptly can wear them out more quickly. Traffic patterns are another element to keep in mind. If you drive in stop-and-go traffic, you'll be using the brakes more often. Finally, the materials from which the brakes are made can actually affect longevity. We recommend consulting your mechanic to establish a schedule. Routine maintenance is just one element of owning a vehicle, and brakes are one of the most important parts of any car. Follow these simple tips and pay careful attention to any warning signs you notice. Image via Flickr by aresauburn | CC BY-SA 2.0.

As they're one of the most important components of your vehicle, you rely on your brakes every day. But how do you know if your brakes are in need of repair? We've put together this short list of some of the most common warning signs. Brake Pad Thickness Examine your car's brake pads periodically. You should be able to get a good look at them through the spokes of your wheels. As long as the pads are at least one-quarter of an inch thick, they are probably in good shape. If the pads are any thinner, though, they may have worn out beyond their useful lifespan and will need to be replaced. Checking the pads is one of the best ways to see how your brakes are doing because it involves clear visual evidence instead of the interpretation of mysterious noises. But sometimes you'll need to use your ears, too. Squealing or Squeaking Brakes If you've ever applied your vehicle's brakes and heard a long, drawn-out squealing sound, you'll know exactly what we're talking about. There's good news and bad news about this particular noise, though. The good news is that your brakes probably aren't about to fail catastrophically. The squeaking noise you're hearing is generated by a small metal shim that's designed to make this noise when it's time for new brakes. The bad news, of course, is that it's time for new brakes. This little shim may be a non-vital brake component, but it's important to have your car serviced before anything more serious goes wrong. Decreased Performance Pay attention to how your brakes feel when you're using them. This is a more vague concept than listening for a squeal or checking the thickness of the pads, but it's equally important. Some major warning signs are longer stopping distances, a spongy or soft feeling when you brake, shuddering when braking, and the vehicle pulling to the side when braking. The longer you drive when encountering these symptoms, the more damage to your vehicle you're risking. Remember, braking is driven by a metal-on-metal contact action, and any mechanical problem with your brakes could have serious consequences. Scheduled Replacement The passage of time can be another reason to have your brakes replaced. Unfortunately, there is no universal rule when it comes to replacing your brakes on a regular schedule. Consider your driving habits; if you apply the brakes smoothly and gradually, you can prolong their lifespan. In contrast, riding the brakes and braking abruptly can wear them out more quickly. Traffic patterns are another element to keep in mind. If you drive in stop-and-go traffic, you'll be using the brakes more often. Finally, the materials from which the brakes are made can actually affect longevity. We recommend consulting your mechanic to establish a schedule. Routine maintenance is just one element of owning a vehicle, and brakes are one of the most important parts of any car. Follow these simple tips and pay careful attention to any warning signs you notice. Image via Flickr by aresauburn | CC BY-SA 2.0.