Service

Brake Services

Your brakes house several components that work together to stop your car’s wheels from turning when you step on the brakes (which we hope you always do gently!) As you step on the brake, brake fluid puts pressure on the pistons that then force the metal brake pads against the brake rotor. The pads and pistons are housed in the caliper assembly which is what clamps down on the rotors to stop the wheel.

For good reason, the brakes of your car are one of the most important features to maintain and any one of the components that make up your braking system can eventually wear down.

Caution

We recommend watching this part carefully and scheduling a service date to prevent any future problems.

Urgent

We recommend you bring your car in immediately. This repair is critical to saving you money & your life.

Routine

We recommend you keep this repair as recurring scheduled maintenance to keep your car healthy and running great.

How critical is my repair?

This ranking system’s purpose is to equip you with the information you need to make an informed decision.

Delaying car repairs is never recommended as it can be costly and at times dangerous. If you are experiencing car trouble please bring it to your local repair shop.

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Parts and services

Brake Booster

When you step on the brake pedal, a shaft moves through the brake booster. The shaft’s role is to push the piston in the master cylinder. Along the way the shaft opens a valve inside the booster to let air in causing a pressure difference between the two sides of the booster. The difference in pressure provides added force to the master cylinder piston making it easier for you to depress your brakes.

Symptoms:

⇒ You hear a hissing sound
⇒ Brake pedal is difficult to depress
⇒ Increased distance to a complete stop
⇒ Brake fluid leak
⇒ Check engine light comes on

Urgent

1 day repair

150,000 miles

Covered by warranty?

Brake Calipers

A car’s braking system generates heat that can eventually wear down the seals inside the calipers. If the seals aren’t tight, the calipers can become dirty or rusty and start to leak brake fluid.

Symptoms:

⇒ The brakes squeak, squeal, or grind
⇒ The ABS warning light comes on
⇒ Pulls to one side when braking
⇒ Brake pedal feels squishy or harder than usual
⇒ Brake fluid leak around the wheels

Urgent

1 day repair

Maintenance every 24,000 miles

Covered by warranty?

Brake Master Cylinder

Your entire brake system relies on the Master Cylinder. The force on the brake pedal when its pressed, pushes a piston through the brake cylinder. In turn, hydraulic fluid is pumped through the brake lines putting pressure on a secondary cylinder on each wheel’s braking mechanism. These secondary cylinders drive the caliper piston to engage the brake calipers.

Symptoms:

⇒ Brake pedal feels squishy or harder than usual
⇒ Brake pedal takes longer to reset
⇒ Brake fluid leak around the wheels
⇒ Check engine light comes on
⇒ Pulls to one side when braking

Urgent

1 day repair

Maintenance every 150,000 miles

Covered by warranty?

Brake Pads

These are the metal plates that press down on the brake rotors causing friction that slows and stops your car. The pads are housed in the caliper assembly that fits in the wheel of your car. If you consider how often you press the brakes in your car, it’s easy to see how brake pads can wear down.

Symptoms:

⇒ The brakes squeak, squeal, or grind
⇒ Car vibrates when braking
⇒ Increased distance to a complete stop
⇒ Brake pad indicator light comes on

Urgent

1/2 day repair

Replace every 30,000 miles

Covered by warranty?

Brake Rotors

These are metal discs that sit inside each of your car’s wheels and have the job of turning motion into thermal energy. Sounds like science, but it’s pretty simple. When the brake pads press on the rotors they create friction that resists the spinning of the wheel, slowing down the wheels and therefore your car. Because they are constantly being squeezed by the brake pads, rotors can wear down.

Symptoms:

⇒ The brakes squeak, squeal, or grind
⇒ Increased distance to a complete stop
⇒ Car vibrates when braking
⇒ Pulls to one side when braking
⇒ You hear a clicking sound