Bringing your vehicle in for brake service is straightforward. We inspect your brakes and walk you through the DVI findings in plain language, with no technical jargon. Then we explain exactly what your vehicle needs and why. Once you approve the work, we get it done and get you back on the road safely.
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.
We’ll Drive You While We Service Your Brakes
Brake work takes time, and we don’t want that to disrupt your day. Our complimentary shuttle service is available so you can get to work, run errands, or head home while we finish up. Just let us know when you schedule your visit.
Your brakes are your vehicle’s most critical safety system. Knowing what to watch for helps you act before a minor issue becomes a costly repair.
Signs Your Brakes Need Attention
Squealing or grinding noises when you brake are among the most common signs of worn brake pads. Grinding typically means the pads have worn down completely, and metal is contacting the rotor. A shaking steering wheel or vibration through the pedal during braking can point to warped rotors. A soft or spongy pedal feel often signals air or moisture in the brake lines or low brake fluid.
Other warning signs include your vehicle pulling to one side when you brake, which can indicate a caliper issue or uneven brake wear, and an illuminated ABS or brake warning light on your dashboard. The anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents wheel lockup during hard stops to help you maintain steering control, and its warning light exists for a reason. Don’t ignore it.
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a brake inspection with us. We offer free visual brake inspections on most vehicles, and they can often be completed during a routine oil change as part of the courtesy inspection. Call us today at (706) 642-2899 or schedule online to get started.
How Your Brake System Works
Most modern vehicles use disc brakes on the front axle and sometimes all four wheels. In a disc brake system, calipers squeeze brake pads against a rotor to create the friction that slows your vehicle. Drum brake systems, still common on rear axles, work differently: brake shoes press outward against the inside of a drum to generate stopping force.
Brake fluid is what connects your foot on the pedal to the physical clamping action at the wheel. It transfers pressure through a hydraulic system, and because it absorbs moisture over time, degraded fluid reduces stopping effectiveness. Keeping brake fluid in good condition is part of maintaining the system as a whole.
What Affects How Quickly Brakes Wear
Brake pad wear isn’t the same for every driver. Frequent stop-and-go driving, hauling heavy loads, and aggressive braking all accelerate wear on pads and rotors. Highway drivers who brake infrequently may get significantly more life out of their pads than someone navigating dense traffic every day.
Routine brake inspections catch wear before it becomes damage. Replacing pads at the right time protects the rotors beneath them. Waiting too long turns a straightforward pad replacement into a rotor replacement as well. Our courtesy inspection process is designed to catch that progression early, before a simple fix becomes an expensive one.
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.