Braking News with Brian: Crystal Ball
Brian Bernard • October 28, 2025
I’ve been collecting mechanics’ hand tools for most of my life. I’ve shopped in stores, tool catalogs, and tool trucks. I’ve owned just about every kind of tool, except one…a crystal ball. I’ve seen them in movies and on TV, but alas, I’ve concluded that they don’t exist.
So, you’re probably wondering what a crystal ball has to do with automotive repair. Well, many customers call and ask, “Is my car safe to drive?” Or “How long can my car be driven in its current condition before something serious breaks?" Most often, I’ll hear, “I know my tires are bald or getting low, but how many more miles can I go on them?” These are the moments I wish I did have a crystal ball, so I could answer with confidence and assurance.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey (NMVCCS, 2005-2007), the data represents an estimated 2,189,000 crashes nationwide. They concluded that about 94% of these crashes were caused by the driver. The next statistic really caught my attention. Only about 2% of crashes were caused by a vehicle component’s failure or degradation.
That 2% of crashes caused by vehicle parts failing isn’t tiny when you consider how many cars are on the road. It means moms, dads, kids, and loved ones are in danger not only from driver mistakes, but also from mechanical failures that often go unchecked.
When safety is in question, there is no room for guessing. Too many variables can come into play, and the consequences can be disastrous. So here are my 3 defaults:
- Fix what is broken now. Don’t wait for it to get worse.
- Catch up on all past due maintenance and keep up with preventive maintenance. Oil changes, brakes, tires— stay ahead of the curve.
- Find a trusted mechanic and have them inspect your car at least twice a year, or in between services.
If you do these three things, you’ll have a much safer car and be a more confident driver. And you can finally toss aside that imaginary crystal ball (if you were ever lucky enough to have one).
Drive Safe!
Brian Bernard – Owner, Automotive Workbench
Your Car,… Trusted Care
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“In the beginning there was light...” Wait— that’s not right. Wrong story. In the beginning there was a check engine light. Yes, that’s how this story starts. Bill, a longtime customer of mine, called me one morning about his 2004 GMC Sierra. He was getting ready to head out on a trip, but his truck was running a little rough. We set the appointment, and while I enjoyed a hot cup of coffee, Bill rolled into the shop. We pulled his truck into the diagnostic bay, and my technician scanned the computer for any Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). What the technician found led me to a series of questions for Bill. Me: “Bill, we found some trouble codes in the computer. Has the check engine light been for long?” Bill: “Oh, that thing? Yeah, it’s been on for a couple years! But it’s been running great.” Me: “Well, it’s running terribly now.” Bill: “True… it just started acting up these past couple of weeks.” What we uncovered was a laundry list of fault codes that had been obviously ignored. He also admitted he’d been topping off his radiator with coolant from time to time. Here’s what happened: it started with a small radiator leak. As the coolant got too low, the engine overheated, off and on, over and over. That constant heat stress finally caused the head gasket to fail. By the time all was said and done, with machine shop work, new head gaskets, radiator, spark plugs, and an oxygen sensor, the bill (no pun intended) came to $3,000. The moral? Bill now “ sees the light ” and knows the cost of ignoring it. Some dashboard warning lights may be confusing, but they’re there for a reason. If a light comes on or a gauge points to a problem, don’t wait. Even if your car seems to be running fine, it’s always safer (and cheaper) to get it checked out before a small issue snowballs into a major repair. Do you see the light? Drive Safe! Brian Bernard – Owner, Automotive Workbench Your Car,… Trusted Care
When you see an advertisement for an oil change that includes a 28-point inspection, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? “Wow! Look at that price. They are looking over a lot of stuff on my car” . Or “What are all those points they are looking at? Is it really important”? Or my personal favorite: “Can I save money on my oil change if they don’t look at those items?” You can also ask yourself if there is anything else to look at on your car besides these 28 points. Does that cover the whole car? As a car owner, do you really know what should be looked at on your car and how often? Let me break down three important things to consider before you jump at the next “blah blah blah” point inspection deal. Know What’s Being Inspected If you’re already taking the time to get your car in the shop, make the most of it. Ask the service advisor what those points actually cover and why they matter. A quality multipoint inspection should be more than just flipping your headlights on and off. Some items may sound random, but many are critical to keeping you and your family safe. Prioritize Safety Items A good inspection list should be safety minded. Tires, brakes, steering, and suspension components are at the top of that list. Ignore them, and you could be putting yourself in real danger. Sure, wiper blades and accessories are nice to check, but you don’t need a certified mechanic to tell you when your wipers are streaking. A failing tie rod end, on the other hand, isn’t so obvious, and it’s a whole lot more dangerous. Don’t Fall for the Fine Print I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Today’s ads are filled with fine print, exclusions, and half-truths. Without a trusted repair shop on your side, you’re at a disadvantage. If your oil change doesn’t include a thorough safety inspection every single time, that’s a red flag. The truth is, there’s no magic number. 20, 28, 40, or more, the exact inspection points depend on your vehicle. My team often checks more than 40 items when servicing a car. But the real point isn’t the number. The point is peace of mind and knowing that your car is safe and roadworthy. And that, my friends, is the only point that really matters. Drive Safe! Brian Bernard – Owner, Automotive Workbench Your Car,… Trusted Care
