Servicing Your Brakes
Your brakes are arguably the most important safety feature on your vehicle, and they don’t simply care for themselves. Brake service is an important part of the overall preventative maintenance of your car, especially in Indiana where we experience harsh road conditions throughout the winter and spring months.
Brake Services at the Hubler Automotive Group
With 14 state-of-the-art service facilities located across Indiana, the Hubler Automotive Group is well equiped to perform brake maintenance, repair, and replacement on your vehicle. Our dealership service departments have experienced, OEM-certified technicians for many makes including Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan, and Honda. As one of the largest OEM parts suppliers in Indiana, you can be confident that your brake systems have the highest quality parts.
Common brake services that are performed at our vehicle service shops include:
- Brake Pad Replacement: Brake pads are flat pieces of metal with a material, like ceramic, applied to create friction with the rotors. Brake pads naturally wear over time and are considered "wear and tear" parts on your vehicle.
- Brake Fluid Exchange: Over time, moisture may build up in your brake lines and reduce the effectiveness of your brake pedal. This service consists of our technicians flushing out the old fluid from your brake fluid system and replacing it.
- Brake Rotor Resurfacing or Replacement: Brake Rotors are metal disks that are attached to the wheels on your vehicle and create friction with the pads when you apply your brakes. When rotors begin to show signs of wear, they can often be resurfaced by our technicians. If rotors become damaged or too worn, they should be completely replaced.
- Brake Caliper Services: Calipers are a key component in your vehicle's disc brake system. When calipers become damaged or worn, you may notice grinding noises or your vehicle even pulling to one side. This can cause uneven wear and damage to your brake pads and rotors, and reduce the overall effectiveness of your brakes.
- Brake Line Repair: Your brake lines are what tell your brake system to apply friction and slow your vehicle when the brake pedal is pressed. Road debris, rough driving, and poor road conditions can cause damage and failure of your brake lines, making driving very dangerous. Our automotive technicians and mechanics may repair or replace your brake lines to ensure the safety of your vehicle if damage is found.
- Brake System Inspection: Routine brake inspections are typically complimentary with your service visit to check common wear and tear items, like brake pads and rotors. If issues are found or you have concerns about your vehicle's brake system, more diagnostics and repairs may be needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should My Brake Pads Be Replaced?
The longevity of your brake pads (or shoes) can vary quite a bit depending on the road conditions, your driving style, and your normal traffic conditions. Bridgestone Tire estimates brake pads to typically last "30,000 - 35,000 miles in urban use" but you may get more than twice that if you drive in good conditions, mostly highways, and in light traffic. Your brake pads should generally be replaced when they are at a thickness of 0.25 inches or less. Car and Driver states that most brake pads have a service limit of "about 0.1 inch", after that your brake pads may be too thin to properly stop or slow your vehicle. The best way to know if your brakes need replaced, is to have them inspected and measured by an expert with the proper tools. Since your wheels may need removed to measure your brake pads, it is a great idea to have them measured during your next tire rotation.
You should also keep an eye out for common signs that brake pads need replaced, such as:
- Squeaky or screeching sound while braking
- Grinding sound while braking
- Indicator lights on your dash or infotainment screen
Does My Brake Fluid Need Changed Regularly?
While your brake fluid doesn't need changed as often as your oil, you should still follow a regular brake fluid service schedule. Your vehicle's manual should indicate the recommended time or mileage in between brake fluid servicing; most manufacturers will recommend around 2-3 years but your individual model may vary a bit. If your vehicle's manual does not indicate the brake fluid service schedule, speak to one of our experts for their recommendation or an inspection.
Do My Brake Rotors Need Resurfaced or Replaced?
In many cases, brake rotors may be able to be resurfaced instead of completely replaced. When rotors are warped, corroded, or wearing unevenly but still have a safe thickness, our trained service technicians can typically resurface them to extend the life of your braking system. AutoZone estimates that resurfaced rotors last around "30,000 to 70,000 miles", but that can vary by vehicle, road conditions, and driving style. So how do you know when your rotors lifespan is up? Rotors will be marked with a minimal thickness on the casting and your technician will measure the thickness during your safety inspection or brake service to ensure you are above the minimum. Some signs that your rotors need resurfaced include:
- Grinding sounds when braking
- Vibrating/ pulsing feeling on brake pedal or steering wheel
- Pulling to one side when applying brakes
If your braking system is a concern, please contact one of our service departments to schedule your brake inspection.
Brake Repair in Indianapolis
Trust Hubler's automotive experts to handle your vehicle's brake repair or replacement around Indianapolis, Indiana. Our Indianapolis Chevrolet and Nissan dealerships are certified to perform regular maintenance and in depth repairs to OEM specifications, so you can rest assured that you are receiving the best service for your car, truck, or SUV. Our service departments are dedicated to providing an excellent customer service experience when you visit one of our Indianapolis dealerships for your brake repair; Nikki V. visited our Hubler Chevrolet Indianapolis location to service her vehicle and said it was "Quick and easy - made the appointment, dropped off my car, spoke with Riley- who was friendly and answered all of my questions- they called when they were done and I picked up my car, signed a few papers and was on my way". With over 10 convenient locations around Central Indiana, we have appointments available to service vehicle's brake system quickly and accurately. Scheduling your brake service online is easy, just visit the website of the closest Hubler dealership to you by visiting our service locations page.
New Brakes in Shelbyville, Indiana
If it is time to replace your brake pads, rotors, or any component of your brake system, our dealerships near Shelbyville, Indiana are your go-to destination. As Indiana's Giant Hubler Automotive Group, we have hundreds of trained service technicians who specialize in many vehicles makes, including Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, and more! As one of the largest automotive parts suppliers in the state of Indiana, we have the brake parts your vehicle needs in stock and ready for installation at the time of your brake service. Trust our experienced brake specialists to keep your car safe and on the road for many more miles. Schedule your brake replacement at one of our Shelby County or nearby locations by visiting our service locations page.