Tips To Keep Your Brakes In Good Condition
March 22, 2023
Brake Maintenance and Repair: The Basics
March 22, 2023
If you are looking to find a quality and dependable auto repair shop to replace or repair your brakes, (or any other service), here are some questions you might ask before getting this service done:
- What is included in the service? Some shops will tell you that they offer a great price for brake pad replacements, but what they don’t mention is that additional work like resurfacing the rotors or upgrading the pads will cost extra. This isn’t always a bad thing, but it’s important to know exactly what is included in any repair estimate before committing to anything.
- When can I expect to have my car ready? If it’s not an emergency, how quickly can the shop service your vehicle? In a day or two, or will it be more like a couple of weeks before they’re able to get to it? How long does the repair usually take – number of hours, days? Does the business provide same-day service for repairs that aren’t time-sensitive?
- What is the quality of the brake system used? Think about it this way, would you rather buy a cheap knock-off purse or invest in a designer original that will last for years? The same concept applies to replacement parts for your car. Parts from lower-end brands won’t work as well or last as long as name-brand, quality components. Even though brake system parts have gotten more affordable over the years, going with the cheapest option isn’t always the best. When getting repairs done, find out what kind of OEM or aftermarket parts will be used ahead of time. And much like there are different types of oils you can put in your car (conventional, synthetic, semi-synthetic), there are also different choices when it comes to brake pads (organic vs semi-metallic vs ceramic). Talk with your mechanic about which type would work best given the make and model of your vehicle.
- What is the shop’s policy on repairing and replacing brakes? For example, when changing brake pads, the piston(s) in the caliper need to be retracted so that the new pads fit. If this is not done correctly and carefully, it can cause damage to your car including making it pull to one side. In addition to inspecting and cleaning the caliper piston and its rubber boot, a technician might also clean and lubricate (or replace) the caliper pins and other hardware. These operations can take time, which some shops avoid. You should ask about the approach taken at your shop of choice.
- What is the warranty? With advances in technology, vehicles today have a much longer lifespan than ever before. That’s why service shops must stand by their workmanship. Some brake system parts are “wear items” which means they need to be replaced every so often due to normal wear and tear. But even these should last a minimum amount of time, and the repair job as a whole should come with some sort of warranty from the shop on both parts and labor. Be sure to ask about this upfront.
When entrusting your car to a repair shop, remember that they should be focused on serving their customers. Make sure you feel like you’re getting honest answers to your questions, and listen for thoughtful responses. A trusted technician will be happy to explain repairs in detail, and a quality shop will keep you updated on what is being done to your vehicle and even save the old parts for your review upon request. If you don’t feel you’re being treated with respect or given all the information, don’t hesitate to look elsewhere for service.
