Disc brakes (click link for photo), sometimes spelled as “disk” brakes, use a flat, disk-shaped metal rotor that spins with the wheel. When the brakes are applied, a caliper squeezes the brake pads against the disc (just as you would stop a spinning disc by squeezing it between your fingers), slowing the wheel.

What are drum brakes?

Drum brakes (click link for photo) use a wide cylinder that is open at the back, similar in apprearance to, well, a drum. When the driver steps on the brake pedal, curved shoes located inside the drum are pushed outwards, rubbing against the inside of the drum and slowing the wheel.

What is the difference between disc brakes and drum brakes?

Disc brakes are generally considered superior to drum brakes for several reasons. First, they dissipate heat better (brakes work by converting motion energy to heat energy). Under severe usage, such as repeated hard stops or riding the brakes down a long incline, disc brakes take longer to lose effectiveness (a condition known as brake fade). Disc brakes also perform better in wet weather, because centrifugal force tends to fling water off the brake disc and keep it dry, whereas drum brakes will collect some water on the inside surface where the brake shoes contact the drums.

Why do so many cars still use rear drum brakes?

All cars sold in the United States use disc brakes for the front wheels, but many cars still use drum brakes in the rear. Braking causes the car’s weight to shift forward, and as a result about 70% of the work is done by the front brakes. (That’s why your front brakes tend to wear out faster.) By fitting disc brakes to the front wheels and drum brakes to the rear wheels, manufacturers can provide most of the benefits of disc brakes while lowering costs. (Drum brakes are less expensive to make than disc brakes, largely because they can also double as a parking brake, whereas disc brakes require a separate parking brake mechanism.) Even so, a car with four-wheel disc brakes (versus front disc/rear drum) will still provide superior braking performance in wet weather and on long downgrades. (That said, you should always downshift and let the engine control the car’s speed on long downgrades.)

How can I tell if my car has disc brakes or drum brakes?

If your car was built in the last thirty years, it most likely has disc brakes on the front wheels, but it may have drums in the rear. If the car has wheels with big openings, you may be able to see some or all of the brake assembly. Seen through the wheels, disk brakes look like this, with a flat rotor set back from the inside surface of the wheel and a wider piece (the caliper) at the front or rear of the disc. Drum brakes look like this, with a cylindrical drum that is usually flush against the inside surface of the wheel.

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Like lemonade stands and drive-in movies replaced by today’s mega-theatres and air-conditioned malls, cruising has evolved to include not only today’s safer convertibles, but other vehicles that lend themselves to the particular tastes of the driver.

“They say getting there is half the fun, and if you’re driving one of this year’s newer vehicles to your vacation destination that really will be the case,” says John Davis, host and executive producer of MotorWeek, a weekly automotive magazine show produced by Maryland Public Television.

Davis says you’ll be seeing a lot of pickups, SUVs and convertibles out there; and unlike in past years when people might rent “fun” cars specifically to drive on vacation, “the latest trend is for people to travel in their own vehicles. It’s a comfort thing as well as being more economical,” says Davis.

So-called cross over vehicles, which combine the features of a car with those of a sedan, minivan or sport utility vehicle, are really gaining in popularity. “They are the widest, most imaginative group of vehicles to enjoy in the history of the industry,” says Davis. Vehicles that fall into this category include the Pontiac Vibe, Subaru Baja, Honda Element, Scion xB, Chrysler Pacifica, Toyota Matrix, and Chevrolet Avalanche. They cover a broad range of prices from under $15,000 to well over $40,000.

Safety Issues

“They are very versatile, there’s no doubt about that,” says Davis. “But like the traditional SUV, they tend to be tall, and taller vehicles by their very nature can roll over easier, so you still need to be extra careful when taking corners.”

Rollovers can also be a worry for another popular summertime car: convertibles. They tend to be slower to respond to driver inputs because they are heavier than your average sedan, but Davis points out, they have come a long way. “Convertibles used to be flimsily made and clumsy to drive, and really rattled over rough roads. Now they are better built, with better suspensions, and are much safer. Along with front airbags, many convertibles can be ordered with side impact airbags, while a few have pop-up roll-over bars that automatically provide extra protection for occupants. Most also offer electronic driving aids like anti-lock brakes and electronic stability systems.

Cruising still has the devotion of the American driver as it has for years, but with some 210 million registered drivers on the road, it does require us to be more conscious. Not just about safety, but other drivers, and local laws as they relate to aggressive driving and cell phone use. So, toss the cell phone in the glove compartment, strap on your seat belt and enjoy your next road trip.

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A lot of salvage title autos come into being after floods and other catastrophes such as hurricanes or tropical storms. Many were bran-new at the time of the disaster that ruined them and were parked on the lots of dealerships.

For those who can’t justify buying a brand new auto and are willing and able to put in a little elbow grease to rebuild an auto, salvage auto auctions provide an opportunity to get a drivable vehicle and an opportunity for the auto to be restored to working condition.

Prior to buying a salvage car, it’s crucial to find out how much work is called for to get the auto sound and presentable. Whenever the price of the repairs are more than you’d pay for a good second hand auto on a lot or from an individual seller, it’s likely not worth the investment — unless you’ve a lot of emotional attachment to the auto or you require it specifically as replacement auto parts that you can’t get anyplace else.

Be aware that a few states demand salvage autos to have “salvage” titles, although other states permit dealers and owners to get a brand-new title. A lot of questionable dealers will frequently relocate autos from one state to a different state then attempt to pass the auto off as one that’s not been salvaged.

A few autos wind up becoming salvage autos after a natural catastrophe merely because they’re on the same lot with other salvage cars. Once the insurance claims adjuster comes to create a damage estimate, he or she can’t perhaps inspect every car upon a car lot. Consequently, the individual renders an appraisal of the number of cars on the lot are affected, and they all acquire the identification of salvage cars.

Autos that are not as damaged, but simply have a salvage title may create rewarding project autos and spare you 1000s of dollars.

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