Unless your daily driver is a classic Mini, or something of a similar ilk with drum brakes in all four corners, you'll have calipers providing the stopping force each time you hit the brake pedal.

"Honey, can I borrow your car?" No problem. She tosses you the keys. But at the first stop sign you draw a startled breath--the pedal's going, going, almost gone! There's even a little dent in the ...