Collier's says: Check your brakes
Magazine-promotion sheet headed 'Collier's says: Check your brakes': a cut-away car chassis with small white figures and speech balloons ('This saves gas', 'This saves life', 'This saves wear'), plus an inset page advertising American Brakeblok brake lining. The sheet ties routine car maintenance to wartime conservation and quotes 'Remember Pearl Harbor' (transfer), while the sponsor's product is placed beside the public-service advice.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1942
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- Collier's magazine (Preventive Service series), with American Brakeblok Division, American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Corporation
- Regime
- Roosevelt Administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Mobilize or secure compliance
- Themes
- Home front, Economy and finance
- Event
- World War II
- Regime
- Roosevelt administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Posters, retrieved October 4, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (U.S. government work)
Collier's magazine; American Brakeblok Division, American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-588 (NAID 514068).
Text on the object
Collier's says: CHECK YOUR BRAKES Make your car Alert! When you wonder whether to fix it or let it go, "Remember Pearl Harbor"—and get it fixed Collier's PREVENTIVE SERVICE series has been showing motorists, season after season, the economical way to get more comfort, safety and satisfaction from their automobiles by the proper care of their cars. Today the vital consideration is to eliminate waste to win the war. Today each car owner has the responsibility to see that his car does not waste gas or oil or rubber or metals through inadequate car care. Your automobile is part of the Nation's equipment—keep it on the alert. Keep it from wasting materials. This P.S. chart shows you where to look for "leaks." It puts the finger on the spots where a small amount of Preventive Service will conserve life, limb and materials. See your service man and have him check the vulnerable spots. Start your conservation of materials right at home. And in that same spirit, be sure to carry adequate insurance. This is no time to run risks. Your Country will need your financial help. Protect it with insurance. * * * Send for the booklet "Questions and Answers on Servicing Your Car to Save War Materials". It tells you the inside story of your automobile. Enclose 6c to cover cost of handling and mailing. Address Preventive Service, COLLIER'S, 250 Park Avenue, New York City. * * * Tune up your ignition system. Clean and adjust your spark plugs; test the wires; adjust the distributor; test the coil and bring your battery up to par. THIS SAVES GAS! Keep your windshield clean and free from grease. Inspect your wipers for wear and adjustment. THIS SAVES LIFE! Clean, wax and polish the finish. THIS SAVES WEAR! Have your car completely lubricated at regular intervals. THIS SAVES WEAR! Be sure your cooling system is in good order—clean the radiator thoroughly, check the fan belt, radiator hose and thermostat. This protects against overheating and SAVES WEAR! Tune up your carburetor. Use top-grade gasoline. Clean the air filter. THIS SAVES GAS! Re-aim your sealed beam headlights. If you have older headlamps, clean the reflectors and lenses and check bulbs. [remainder of this caption hidden behind the inset page] Inspect the exhaust system for leaks. THIS SAVES LIFE! If your clutch slips or grabs, have it fixed. THIS SAVES GAS! Have a wheel removed and check your brake lining. THIS SAVES LIFE! Check and adjust your brakes. THIS SAVES LIFE! Change the oil in your crankcase. Put in proper grade for summer driving. THIS SAVES WEAR! Put in a clean oil filter element as soon as it is needed. THIS SAVES WEAR! P.S. PREVENTIVE SERVICE [script:] Sponsored by Collier's for Motor Car Owners [inset page] Safe-Stop Brake Service American Brakeblok BRAKE LINING When your brakes aren't working right, look for Stopper, the pup, now appearing on signs at repair shops, garages and service stations everywhere to show you where to get Safe-Stop Brake Service. Stopper says: "Keep your old car in new condition and it will last much longer." ARE YOUR BRAKES WORKING ALL RIGHT? OR DOES YOUR CAR: Nose dive when brakes are applied? Pull right or left when braking? Have slow or grabby brakes when wet? Need frequent brake adjustments? Let brake pedal down to floor? Squeal, groan or chatter on stops? Brake on only one rear wheel? Make grinding noise when stopping? BETTER DRIVE IN WHERE YOU SEE THIS SIGN Safe-Stop Brake Service is sponsored in repair shops and service stations by American Brakeblok, makers of The Safety Brake Lining, now in use on millions of motor vehicles, trucks, buses and coaches. This brake lining is quickly available everywhere through 38 NAPA Warehouses and a nation-wide distribution system. American Brakeblok Division of The American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company, Detroit, Michigan BRAKE LININGS • CLUTCH FACINGS • FAN BELTS • RADIATOR HOSE American Brakeblok OFFERS YOU SAFE-STOP BRAKE SERVICE IN COLLIER'S MARCH 28TH ISSUE CHECK YOUR BRAKES NOW
