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?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does moisture contamination degrade my braking system's hydraulic performance?
Automotive brake fluid is naturally hygroscopic, meaning it constantly absorbs ambient humidity out of the air. As moisture percentages rise, the fluid's boiling point drops significantly, which can cause the liquid to vaporize under heavy use, leaving you with a dangerously soft, spongy pedal feel.
What is the critical mechanical difference between ceramic and semi-metallic friction materials?
Ceramic pads utilize durable composite fibers to deliver exceptionally quiet operation, minimal dust accumulation, and smooth engagement ideal for daily commuting. Semi-metallic options blend structural metals to handle high heat dissipation better, making them well-suited for heavy-duty towing or performance driving demands.
Why should brake rotors always be resurfaced or replaced during pad installations?
New pads require a perfectly flat, clean metal surface to establish correct friction mating and wear down evenly over time. Installing fresh pads onto an un-machined, glazed rotor triggers severe hot spots, loud squealing noises, and rapid, premature wear across your brand-new components.
Can a malfunctioning anti-lock braking module alter standard pedal feedback?
Yes, a failing anti-lock sensor or a sticking hydraulic valve can cause the computer to misread wheel speeds, triggering false system activations. This causes the pedal to pulse violently or drop under normal driving conditions, requiring advanced digital scanning tools to trace and isolate.
How often should I schedule a professional fluid flush for my car?
For optimal protection against internal hydraulic corrosion, we recommend scheduling a full brake fluid flush every two years or 20,000 miles. Regular fluid exchanges remove harmful moisture and abrasive microscopic metal flakes, safeguarding your expensive master cylinder and caliper seals from failure.
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.