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?
Common Signs Your Braking System Needs Attention
Your vehicle often communicates problems before they become critical safety hazards. Recognizing these symptoms early allows for a simple brake pad replacement rather than a more expensive system overhaul.
Watch for these key indicators:
- High-Pitched Squealing: A built-in wear indicator often creates this sound to warn you that your brake pads are thinning.
- Grinding Noises: Metal-on-metal sounds indicate that pads are completely worn, damaging the rotors and requiring immediate attention.
- Pedal Vibration: Shaking in the steering wheel or pedal when stopping suggests warped rotors caused by excessive heat.
- Soft Pedal: If the pedal sinks to the floor, you may have a brake fluid leak or air trapped in the lines.
- Vehicle Pulling: Drifting to one side while braking often points to a stuck caliper or uneven tire pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Have My Brakes Checked in Colorado Springs?
We generally recommend a brake inspection every 6 months or whenever you have your tires rotated. However, in Colorado Springs, where mountain driving involves frequent, heavy braking, wear can happen faster than the manufacturer's average estimates. If you commute daily on Academy Boulevard or frequently drive in the foothills, your components are under higher stress.
Regular checks allow us to catch uneven wear early. By monitoring the thickness of your pads and the condition of your fluid, we can help you plan for a brake service before it becomes an emergency. This proactive approach saves you money by preventing damage to more expensive components like rotors and calipers.
Why Does My Brake Pedal Feel Spongy?
A spongy or soft brake pedal is a serious safety concern that usually indicates air has entered the hydraulic lines or your brake fluid has absorbed too much moisture. Over time, fluid degrades and lowers its boiling point, which is dangerous during heavy braking on steep descents. It could also signal a leak in the master cylinder or a hose.
Immediate attention is required for this issue. Our team will perform a hydraulic system test to identify leaks or air pockets. Often, a professional fluid flush and bleeding the lines will restore the firm, responsive pedal feel you need to drive safely. If a part has failed, we will explain the repair options clearly.
Is Resurfacing Rotors Better Than Replacing Them?
Resurfacing (or turning) rotors involves machining a thin layer of metal off the surface to make it smooth and flat again. This is a cost-effective option if the rotors are thick enough to remain within safe specifications after the process. However, modern rotors are often designed to be lighter and thinner, meaning replacement is frequently the safer and longer-lasting choice.
We measure your rotors precisely to determine the best path. If they are too thin, resurfacing them could lead to warping and overheating quickly. In those cases, we recommend brake replacement with high-quality new rotors to ensure your new pads seat correctly and provide maximum stopping power without vibration.
What Is the Difference Between Ceramic and Semi-Metallic Pads?
The choice of brake pads depends on your vehicle and driving style. Ceramic pads are popular because they produce less dust and are generally quieter, making them great for daily commuting. They handle heat well and offer a long lifespan. Semi-metallic pads, on the other hand, provide a stronger initial bite and handle extreme heat dissipation better.
For drivers who do a lot of towing or mountain driving around Colorado Springs, semi-metallic might be the better performance choice despite being slightly noisier. Our technicians will consult with you on your driving habits to recommend the friction material that balances noise, dust, and stopping performance best for your specific needs.
Why Is Brake Fluid Maintenance Important?
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air over time. Water in the system causes internal corrosion of steel lines and ABS components. More importantly, water lowers the boiling point of the fluid. In our high-altitude environment, if your fluid boils, you lose hydraulic pressure and, consequently, your brakes.
Manufacturer guidelines typically suggest a flush every 2 years or 30,000 miles. We test your fluid's copper content and moisture levels to verify its condition. keeping fresh fluid in the system is one of the cheapest ways to prevent expensive repairs to the ABS module or calipers later on.
Schedule Your Brake Service Today
Your safety on the road is non-negotiable, and at Christian Brothers Automotive Interquest, we are committed to delivering the highest standard of care for your vehicle. Whether you are navigating winter snow or summer traffic, reliable brakes are essential. We combine local expertise with high-quality parts to ensure your car stops safely every time.
Don't ignore the warning signs of brake wear.
Schedule your appointment online or call us at (719) 838-5059 to let our expert team restore your vehicle's performance and your peace of mind.
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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"I liked the customer service and going above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable while waiting in the store for my vehicle work to be done, specifically being offered a nice hot coffee with creamer."
- J.L.