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 Need Brake Service
Your vehicle's braking system is crucial for your safety on the road. Recognizing early signs of brake issues can prevent costly repairs and ensure your safety.
Common indicators that your brakes may need attention include:
- Squealing or Grinding Noises: Persistent high-pitched sounds or metal-on-metal grinding can indicate worn-out brake pads or debris between the pads and rotor.
- Vibrations or Pulsations: Feeling vibrations in the steering wheel or brake pedal during braking may suggest warped rotors or uneven brake pad wear.
- Soft or Spongy Brake Pedal: A brake pedal that sinks to the floor or feels unusually soft can be a sign of air in the brake lines or low brake fluid levels.
- Pulling to One Side: If your vehicle pulls to one side while braking, it could indicate uneven brake pad wear or issues with the brake calipers.
- Dashboard Warning Lights: Illuminated brake warning lights on your dashboard may point to various brake system issues, including low brake fluid or worn-out components.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's essential to have your brakes inspected promptly to maintain optimal performance and safety.
Our Comprehensive Brake Repair & Maintenance Services
At Christian Brothers Automotive Roanoke, we offer a full range of brake services to keep your vehicle's braking system in top condition, including:
- Free Visual Brake Inspections: We provide complimentary brake inspections to assess the condition of your brake pads, rotors, and fluid levels.
- Brake Pad Replacement: We replace worn brake pads with high-quality parts to restore optimal stopping power.
- Rotor Resurfacing or Replacement: Our technicians can resurface or replace rotors to ensure smooth braking and prevent vibrations.
- Brake Fluid Flush: We flush and replace old brake fluid to maintain hydraulic efficiency and prevent moisture buildup.
- Brake Line Repair: We inspect and repair brake lines to prevent leaks and ensure consistent braking performance.
- Comprehensive Brake System Diagnostics: Using advanced diagnostic tools, we thoroughly check all components of your braking system to identify and address any issues.
Our ASE-certified technicians are committed to providing reliable and efficient brake services, ensuring your vehicle stops safely and smoothly.
For professional brake checks, repair, maintenance, and replacement services in Roanoke, contact us at (682) 686-7082 or online today!
Why Choose Us?
At Christian Brothers Automotive Roanoke, we prioritize your safety and satisfaction.
Here's why drivers trust us with their brake service needs:
- ASE-Certified Technicians: Our team is trained and certified to handle all aspects of brake repair and maintenance.
- Transparent Pricing: We provide clear and upfront pricing with no hidden fees, ensuring you know exactly what to expect.
- High-Quality Parts: We use manufacturer-quality or better parts to ensure the longevity and reliability of your brake system.
- Nice Difference® Warranty: We stand behind our work with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first.
- Convenient Services: We offer complimentary shuttle services and a comfortable waiting area to make your visit as convenient as possible.
- Community-Focused: We are committed to building lasting relationships with our customers, treating each vehicle as if it were our own.
Experience the Christian Brothers Automotive difference—where car repair services and joy intersect.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when it's time to replace my brake pads?
Brake pads should be replaced when they are worn down to approximately 3 millimeters or less.
Signs that it's time for replacement include:
- Squealing or squeaking noises: Indicates that the wear indicators are contacting the rotor, signaling low pad thickness.
- Grinding sounds: Suggests that the brake pads are worn down completely, and metal is contacting metal, which can damage the rotors.
- Vibration or pulsation: Felt in the brake pedal or steering wheel, often due to warped rotors.
- Decreased braking performance: Longer stopping distances or a soft brake pedal.
It's advisable to have your brake pads inspected regularly, typically every 12,000 miles or during routine oil changes.
What causes my brakes to make a squealing or grinding noise?
Brake noises can result from various issues:
- Squealing or squeaking: Often caused by worn brake pads or the presence of dust and debris between the pad and rotor.
- Grinding: Indicates that the brake pads are worn down to the metal, causing metal-on-metal contact, which can damage the rotors.
- Vibration or pulsation: May occur if the rotors are warped or unevenly worn.
If you experience any of these noises, it's important to have your brakes inspected promptly to prevent further damage.
How often should I have my brakes inspected?
It's recommended to have your brakes inspected at least once a year or every 12,000 miles. However, if you frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic, mountainous areas, or tow heavy loads, more frequent inspections may be necessary. Regular inspections help identify issues early, ensuring your braking system remains in optimal condition.
Can I drive with worn-out brake pads or a soft brake pedal?
Driving with worn-out brake pads or a soft brake pedal is unsafe. Worn pads can lead to reduced braking efficiency and increased stopping distances. A soft brake pedal may indicate air in the brake lines or low brake fluid levels, compromising the braking system's performance. It's crucial to address these issues promptly to ensure your safety on the road.
What is the difference between brake pad replacement and brake rotor resurfacing?
Brake pad replacement involves removing the old, worn pads and installing new ones to restore braking efficiency. Brake rotor resurfacing, or machining, involves smoothing out the rotor's surface to remove grooves and imperfections, ensuring even contact with the new brake pads. If the rotors are too thin or damaged, replacement may be necessary. During a brake service, technicians will assess both components to determine the appropriate action.
Schedule your brake service today and drive with confidence!
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.