What to Expect With a Brake Service
1. Schedule Your Appointment
Whether scheduling online or over the phone be sure and let us know what you're experiencing so we can provide fast and accurate service advice.
2. Diagnostics and Inspections
Drop off your vehicle and the shop will get to work with inspections and diagnostics using the same equipment as the manufacturers to determine issues and next steps.
3. Digital Vehicle Inspection Report and Estimate
Following the diagnosis we will text you a digital vehicle inspection report, containing pictures and videos of our findings and recommendations.
4. Review and Approval
A service advisor will reach out to walk you through the findings and recommendations to determine how you would like to proceed, or you can approve work directly in your DVI.
5. Work Performed or Scheduled
Most work can be completed immediately, or scheduled based on parts and customer availability.
Did You Know: It takes up to three football fields to safely brake in the rain?
Signs You May Need Brake Service
Your vehicle's brakes are its most important safety feature, and they are designed to give you clear warning signs when they need attention. Recognizing these indicators early is the best way to prevent a more serious or expensive brake repair and ensure you can stop safely on Hamilton's busy streets.
Pay close attention to your vehicle and schedule a brake inspection if you notice any of the following:
- Squeaking or grinding noises
- Vibrating or pulsing pedal
- Soft or "spongy" pedal
- Longer stopping distances
- Dashboard brake warning light
If you notice any of these signs, don't wait. These symptoms indicate that your brakes are worn or a component is failing, which can compromise your safety, especially in Ohio's changing weather and road conditions.
A professional brake inspection is the best way to get a clear diagnosis and a reliable repair, keeping you safe on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I get a brake pad replacement?
This depends on your driving habits. While brake pads can last 30,000-70,000 miles, Hamilton's stop-and-go traffic and hills cause faster wear. The most common sign it's time for a brake replacement is a high-pitched squealing noise. We recommend a regular brake inspection to check their condition and prevent damage to your rotors.
Why is my steering wheel or brake pedal shaking when I stop?
A vibration or pulsation when braking is almost always caused by warped brake rotors. This is due to intense heat from stop-and-go traffic or hilly driving in Hamilton. Our technicians will measure your rotors and recommend either resurfacing them (if possible) or a full replacement to restore a smooth, safe stop.
What’s the difference between brake repair and brake replacement?
Brake repair usually means fixing one part, like a stuck caliper or a fluid leak. Brake replacement involves changing parts that are designed to wear out, like a full set of brake pads or rotors. Our ASE-certified technicians will perform a thorough brake inspection to determine which service your brakes need.
How often does my brake fluid need to be replaced?
We recommend replacing your brake fluid every 24,000 to 36,000 miles (2-3 years). This is critical in Ohio because brake fluid absorbs moisture from Hamilton's humidity. This water contamination can cause a "spongy" pedal, internal corrosion, and even brake failure. A brake fluid flush is a simple service to prevent this.
What happens if I ignore my brake maintenance?
Ignoring brake maintenance is a major safety risk and leads to more expensive repairs. If you ignore squealing brake pads, they will eventually start grinding and destroy your brake rotors. This can turn a simple, affordable repair into one that is two or three times as expensive and risks brake failure on Hamilton's icy roads.
Which type of brake pads are best for my car?
The best brake pads depend on your vehicle and driving habits. Ceramic brake pads are a popular choice for Hamilton drivers as they are quiet and produce little dust, making them great for daily commutes. However, if you drive a heavy truck or SUV, semi-metallic brake pads are a better choice, offering superior stopping power for heavy-duty use.
Schedule Your Brake Repair in Hamilton Today
Your vehicle's brakes are its most important safety system, and they deserve expert care from a team you can trust. At Christian Brothers Automotive Fairfield Township, we are proud to be the brake shop Hamilton drivers turn to for honest, transparent, and reliable service.
We combine the high-level skill of ASE-certified technicians with a genuine, neighbor-first commitment to our community. You can be confident that every brake repair is backed by our industry-leading Nice Difference® Warranty, giving you peace of mind on every road.
Your Local Christian Brothers Amenities
FAQs
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Q. "Why is my ABS light on?"There are several reasons your vehicles anti-lock brake system light might be on. The four common reasons that typically cause this light to turn on include a malfunctioning ABS module, low levels in the fluid reservoir, broken wheel speed sensors, or the system is turned off. Learn more here.
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Q. "How long will my brake pads last?"There is no perfect answer to this. Brake pads can last up to 70,000 miles while others will need to be replaced as early as 25,000 miles. The type of vehicle you drive, how you use your vehicle and your driving style are all factors to consider. If you are interested in learning more about brake pad wear and how to extend its lifespan click here.
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Q. "When do I need to change my brake fluid?"Along with the type of brake fluid, your car’s owner manual will indicate how often you need your brake fluid flushed and replaced. In general, brake fluids flushes are recommended every 30,000 miles or two years. Click here to learn more.
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Q. "Do you offer a warranty?"As part of our Nice difference.® commitment to providing our customers the best auto service experience possible, we also offer a3-year/36,000-mile warranty on all the work that we do. We offer this warranty at every Christian Brothers Automotive nationwide, and it will be honored at any location, regardless of which branch did the initial work.
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Q. "What is a Digital Vehicle Inspection?"With a complimentary Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) on every visit, you’ll see firsthand photos of your vehicle from under the hood. We’ll let you know if everything is functioning properly or if there are any areas of concern. You can even approve or deny our service recommendations, all straight from your smartphone, or you can, of course, give us a call and we’ll explain our findings in further detail.
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Q. "Can you provide service under my extended warranty?"Yes. At Christian Brothers Automotive, we work with all major extended warranty providers to make needed repairs for our customers. If you have an extended warranty, you can discuss your carrier with our team when scheduling an appointment and confirm that the work will be covered. You can find a partial list of the extended warranty companies we work with here.
Have more Questions?
Our friendly auto service experts have the answers.
Call your local Christian Brothers Automotive car shop today
Hear What Our Customers Had to Say About Us
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"One of the best car services I have visited in some time. It is very friendly, community oriented, clean and easy to wait with coffee and cold drinks. Service was performed on time."
- Prem K Garg