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 Your Brakes May Need Attention
Recognizing the early signs of brake issues can prevent costly repairs and ensure your safety.
Watch for these common indicators:
- Squeaking or Squealing Noises: This usually indicates that your brake pads are worn and need replacement.
- Grinding Sounds: Grinding noises may suggest that your brake pads are fully worn, causing metal-on-metal contact.
- Vibrating or Pulsating Pedal: If you feel vibrations or pulsation in the brake pedal, it could signal warped rotors or other underlying issues.
- Increased Stopping Distances: Longer stopping distances may point to inefficiencies in your brake system or issues with brake fluid.
- Brake Warning Light: An illuminated brake warning light requires immediate attention to avoid safety risks.
Understanding these signs is crucial for timely intervention. Neglecting them not only risks your safety but can also lead to more extensive damage, necessitating more costly repairs. Regular maintenance checks can help avoid these issues by identifying minor problems before they escalate.
Our Proven Process
By choosing us, you are also opting for transparency and quality assurance. We educate our customers about their vehicle's condition and our recommended interventions, giving you full control over the services you choose to undertake. We employ ASE-certified technicians who use the latest technology to accurately diagnose any brake-related issues and offer solutions that meet manufacturer standards.
What to expect from our brake services:
- Schedule Your Appointment: Conveniently book your brake service online or by phone. Feel free to share any concerns or symptoms you've noticed, so we can address them with precision.
- Detailed Inspections and Diagnostics: Upon arrival, our skilled technicians will perform a thorough inspection and diagnostic assessment of your braking system, utilizing advanced tools and technology to ensure accuracy.
- Comprehensive Digital Vehicle Inspection Report: We provide a detailed Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) report with visual evidence such as photos and videos. This helps maintain transparency, giving you a clear view of your vehicle's condition.
- Approval and Recommendations: Our service advisors will walk you through the findings, allowing you to review and approve any recommended repairs or maintenance. Your satisfaction and safety are our top priorities.
- Efficient Service Completion: Most brake services are completed within a single visit. Should additional parts be required, we'll coordinate a convenient time to complete the necessary repairs.
Comprehensive Brake Inspections
Our comprehensive brake inspection process is designed to identify any issues with your braking system and provide you with a detailed assessment.
Here's what you can expect during a brake inspection at Christian Brothers Automotive West Chicago:
- Visual Inspection: We start by visually inspecting the brake pads, rotors, and calipers for signs of wear or damage.
- Brake Fluid Check: We assess the condition and level of your brake fluid, recommending a change if necessary.
- Test Drive: Our technicians will take your vehicle for a test drive to evaluate braking performance and identify any unusual noises or vibrations.
- Comprehensive Report: After the inspection, we provide you with a detailed report of our findings and recommendations for any necessary repairs or maintenance.
Conducting thorough inspections allows us to catch potential problems early, ensuring optimal braking performance. It's more than just checking parts; it's about ensuring each component works harmoniously within the system to deliver consistent and reliable braking every time you drive.
For professional brake checks, repair, maintenance, and replacement services in West Chicago, contact us at (630) 491-8321 or online today!
Frequently Asked questions
What Are the Common Causes of Brake Failure?
Brake failure can be a frightening experience and typically results from several factors. One common cause is the wear and tear of brake pads, leading to decreased efficiency in stopping your vehicle. Over time, rotors can also become warped or damaged, further impairing brake performance.
Fluid leaks within the brake system can significantly reduce pressure, preventing the brakes from engaging correctly. Regular inspections at a trusted service provider like Christian Brothers Automotive West Chicago can catch these issues early, ensuring your brakes remain in good condition and your vehicle operates safely.
Why Is My Brake Pedal Soft or Spongy?
A soft or spongy brake pedal often indicates air in the brake lines, which can occur due to a fluid leak or after maintenance. This hinders the transfer of force needed to engage the brakes effectively. In more severe cases, it could be a sign of problems with the brake master cylinder, which may require immediate attention.
If you notice a change in your brake pedal’s feel, it’s crucial to have it inspected immediately to prevent any potential hazards. Our team at Christian Brothers Automotive West Chicago is ready to provide thorough diagnostics to resolve such issues promptly.
Should I Replace All Brake Pads at Once?
While it might seem cost-effective to replace only the brake pads that appear worn, it is recommended to replace all pads at once for balanced braking and optimal safety. Uneven pad replacement can lead to imbalances in the brake system, causing wear on other components and reducing overall efficiency.
Our technicians advise on complete pad replacement after evaluating the condition of all brake components, ensuring your vehicle maintains consistent performance across all wheels.
How Does the Climate in West Chicago Affect Brake Wear?
West Chicago presents a unique climate challenge with its hot summers and cold, icy winters. These conditions can lead to accelerated brake wear through thermal cycling, where constant heating and cooling of brake parts cause material degradation.
Corrosion from road salts used in winter can also impact brake longevity. Regular maintenance and protective measures recommended by Christian Brothers Automotive West Chicago can mitigate these effects, keeping your brakes in top shape year-round.
What Should I Do if My Brake Light Is On?
If your brake light is illuminated on the dashboard, it indicates a potential issue with your braking system that requires immediate attention. This could range from low brake fluid levels to a failure in part of the brake system.
Ignoring this warning may result in compromised vehicle safety. Book an appointment with Christian Brothers Automotive West Chicago to have a comprehensive brake system inspection. Our detailed evaluation will determine the root cause and provide the best solutions to restore your vehicle’s functionality.
Christian Brothers Brake Warranty
At Christian Brothers Automotive West Chicago, we stand behind the quality of our brake services. Our Christian Brothers brake warranty offers peace of mind, covering parts and labor for a specified period.
Our commitment to excellence ensures you receive reliable and trustworthy service every time you visit us. This warranty reflects our confidence in our service quality and our dedication to customer satisfaction, allowing you to drive with assurance long after you leave our shop.
Call us at (630) 491-8321 or book your service online now!
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.