You know your brakes are fading when which of the following is true?

• A. The brake pedal must be pressed harder than normal to control speed.
• B. There is a squealing noise.
• C. The steering pulls to one side.
• D. The parking brake is engaged.

Answer: (A)

Brake fade happens when braking power drops as brakes overheat, so you end up needing to press the pedal farther down to slow or stop. That extra pedal effort is the clearest sign that the braking system is losing effectiveness due to heat or wear. The correct choice describes this exact situation: you have to push the brake pedal harder than normal to control speed. This often occurs on long descents or after repeated braking, so the fix is to shift to a lower gear, use engine braking, and let the brakes cool if possible.

Squealing noises usually point to worn or glazed brake components, which is a different brake symptom; a steering pull can indicate uneven braking or other issues with tires or alignment; and the parking brake being engaged would slow or hold the vehicle but isn’t a sign of fading brakes during normal driving.