Most people laugh and say, “No, of course not,” when they hear this question. And in auto repair, we like to use this analogy to explain why it’s also not a good idea to trust your brake service to the cheapest shop in town.

Certainly, we all love a great deal, and we all want a fair price. But when it comes to your brakes, you may get less than you “bargain” for. If a repair shop is advertising $99 brakes, chances are, it’s too good to be true.

First, that price most likely only covers the brake pads. It does not include machining or replacing rotors or replacing the calipers. Those are all additional—and rightly so, but there goes your $99 total. At the very least, you must machine the rotors. Machining these round cast iron or ceramic discs (see photo below of a disc brake system) will produce a flat, even surface, which is necessary for smooth stopping. Skip this step, and you’ll soon find your brake pedal pulsating under your foot every time you stop. (This is because the rotors are scored and uneven from the previous set of brake pads. The surface will only become worse as the new brake pads wear.)

Second, the brake pads they’re installing are the cheapest available. They’re going to be prime candidates for noises—screeching, scraping, rubbing. Take your pick. Do you really want to deal with that for the next 20,000-plus miles? (While the lifespan of brake pads varies greatly according to your driving habits and from one vehicle to another, cheap brake pads are going to have a much shorter life regardless.) The cheaper pads are also more prone to brake dust, which can leave a dirty black buildup on your wheels.

Third, the work will be performed by an entry-level technician. While there are many talented technicians with little experience, you at least want to be sure your brakes are serviced under the guidance of an experienced mentor. Not only is s/he more likely to notice additional developing problems, such as rotting brake lines or brake fluid that’s way past its prime, s/he is also more likely to take the time to clean and lubricate all of the brake component surfaces. This goes a long way to reducing noises and pulsations. And an entry-level technician at a shop that survives on volume of work is going to be discouraged from devoting time to such “optional” tasks.

Usually, when you factor in the additional costs of machining or replacing rotors or installing new calipers, that discounted brake job adds up to the going rate for brake service in your area. Then when you consider the annoyances or inconveniences caused by pulsating, screeching or dusty brakes, it’s much harder to consider this a good deal.

If you’re still not convinced, consider this: 2,000 pounds of metal moving at 60 mph will need to come to a stop somehow. Most prefer it to be a controlled and smooth stop, not a pulsating, shaking or uncertain one.

Think your brakes may need some attention? Here are 6+ signs they do.

With beautiful weather and a long holiday weekend ahead, many of us are heading out of town to celebrate the start of the summer season. But there’s nothing like car trouble to bring the fun to a grinding halt.

While you can’t always avoid problems, you can take steps to reduce the probability of getting sidelined during your travels. The most important step is a pre-trip inspection to prepare your vehicle for your big adventure. A lot of our clients prefer to go through this exercise with their Star Auto Authority service advisor to make sure they haven’t left anything out. But if you prefer to go it on your own, here’s a pre-trip checklist for you:

• Tires: A great place to start is with the tires. Inspect them for tread wear and proper inflation. Is it time to rotate your tires? Replace them? Are they up to the job?
• Shocks and Struts: also play a major role in both driving comfort and safety. If they need to be replaced, you’ll really be glad you did once you hit the road. Is it time for a wheel alignment? Fighting a car that’s pulling to one side all day can be tiring and dangerous. (As we all know, winter wreaks havoc on Chicago roads, and one run-in with deep pothole can knock out your alignment or even damage a shock or strut. Here are 11 ways to know if your car has sustained pothole damage.)
• Brakes: Any strange noises, grabbing, soft or hard pedal feel? If there is any doubt, we highly recommend a brake inspection before you leave.
• Belts and Hoses: Moving under the hood, have your belts and hoses inspected. If something is excessively worn or near failure, the stress of a long road trip might just be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
• Air Filter: Your engine air filter will also be important. For every gallon of gas you burn, your car will filter and use 12,000 gallons of air. If the filter needs to be changed, you’ll notice the fuel savings (or loss) on your trip.
• Preventive Maintenance: How close are you to your next oil change? Will you be able to complete your trip before it’s due? If not, have it taken care of before you go. A full service oil change is a great idea because we will top off all your fluids and check to see if any other maintenance items are due, such as transmission or cooling system service. (At Star Auto Authority, we’ll also inspect most of the items on this checklist during an oil change.) Also, be sure to test your wiper blades. Are they worn or working well? They’re an easy item to forget until you’re driving down a dark road on a rainy night. Headlamps are also easy to overlook. Make sure your high and low beams work, as well as your turn signals and brake lamps.
• Warning Signs: Do you notice any unusual odors in your vehicle? If so, it could as harmless as a dirty cabin air filter. But if it’s an exhaust leak it could be fatal on a long trip. Of course you’ll want to be comfortable, so consider A/C diagnostics or service if your system was not outputting cold air at the end of last summer.

All the items mentioned in this checklist are part of any good maintenance plan, and we will always advise you of your upcoming maintenance and repair needs. But if you haven’t been to see us for more than three months or 3,000 miles, consider scheduling a pre-trip inspection this week for added peace of mind as you embark on your trip. Happy trails!

Having properly functioning brakes on your car is not optional—think about how hazardous even a short trip to the store would be without being able to stop as quickly as anticipated. You don’t want to be responsible for rear-ending that vehicle in front of you, so make sure you are paying proper attention to the wear that accumulates with normal, everyday braking.

A regular brake inspection is essential to proper vehicle care and can save you money in the long run.

First, make sure you get a brake inspection at least once a year. The inspection should include an evaluation of the brake pads and shoes, braking hardware, hydraulic fluid, rotor/drum wear, calipers and master cylinder.

Second, if your anti-lock braking system (ABS) light or your brake system warning light comes on, have the system inspected as soon as possible. An ABS light indicates a malfunction with the antilock brakes, and the ABS system will be disabled as long as the light is on. (Important Note: You will still have normal braking, just not the ABS.)

The brake system warning light comes on when the brake fluid dips below a minimum level in the master cylinder. This often happens under hard braking or around sharp turns when the brake pads are near the end of their lives.

In extreme cases, this light signals a serious safety problem. If you notice moderate to severe sponginess in the brake pedal or if the brake pedal goes straight to the floor, don’t attempt to drive the vehicle. It is not safe to drive. Have it towed to your auto repair provider because, most likely, there’s a major malfunction in the brakes.

In between visits to the shop, become attuned to your vehicle’s performance. Many problems related to brakes can be prevented by paying attention to telltale signs of trouble, including:

• Your car pulls to one side when you press down on the brakes, instead of stopping in a straight line.
• Your car jerks to a stop when you press down on the brakes.

• Your brake pedal is either mushy, difficult to press down, or you must pump the brakes to get them to work right.

• Your brakes grind uninterrupted and you hear a loud noise when you press down on the brake pedal.
• You notice a burning smell during or after driving that seems to come from one or more of your wheels.

• You see fluid leaks around any wheel or in the engine compartment near the master cylinder.

Don’t wait until your brakes are in any of the aforementioned conditions before you seek help—your life and the lives of others on the road are depending on the safety and peace of mind that regular brake inspections can provide.

Source: Automotix.net