A vehicle's brakes are one of its most important safety features, and we want to make sure that Automotive Specialists Inc. customers stay safe. Whether your brake pads are signaling they need replacement, your brake light is on, or you're not comfortable with how quickly your vehicle is slowing down, call us at 316-321-5130 or visit us in El Dorado and we'll give you a prompt diagnosis of your braking system's safety and reliability.
Anti-Lock Brake System
The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ensures your wheels keep rotating during braking, preventing skidding and providing better control. If your ABS light illuminates, visit Automotive Specialists Inc. for a diagnosis and professional repair.
Brake Fluid Flushes
Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air over time, diminishing brake effectiveness and becoming corrosive, potentially harming the system. Regular brake fluid flushes are vital to ensure fresh fluid usage in your vehicle. Consult our technicians at Automotive Specialists Inc. to determine the right time for a brake fluid flush.
Brake Hoses
A brake hose carries pressurized brake fluid from the master cylinder to the brakes. A damaged hose can lead to delayed or weak braking, and a leak may result in brake failure. While the need for a replacement brake hose isn't common, any signs of cracking or wear should prompt immediate replacement.
Brake Pad & Shoe Replacement
Squealing brakes often indicate brake pad issues. When brake pads deteriorate completely, a harsh metal-on-metal grinding noise occurs during braking, indicating potential rotor or drum damage. Although experienced individuals may attempt home repairs, if you have brake concerns, it's best to consult an auto repair professional promptly.
Caliper Replacement
The brake caliper houses brake pads and clamps around the rotor to apply pressure during braking. Caliper problems can cause uneven braking, leading to skidding during braking and loss of control in adverse weather conditions. Contact Automotive Specialists Inc. in El Dorado at your earliest convenience for assistance.
Resurface Rotors
In a disc brake system, rotors attach to your vehicle's wheels. The friction with brake pads over time creates grooves and cracks. The process of resurfacing restores rotors to a "like-new" condition, reducing noise and wobbling. At Automotive Specialists Inc., we inspect your rotors thoroughly and recommend the best course of action.
FAQs About Brakes
Why is my dashboard brake light on?
If the brake light indicator appears on your dashboard, it's either time for regular brake maintenance or an alert to a potential problem. Stop by Automotive Specialists Inc. and let us help you diagnose this issue quickly.
What percent of brake pad life is 3mm?
When you purchase a new brake pad, it has a standard thickness of around 8 to 12 mm or about a half inch. Over time, your car's brake pad will wear away. A brake pad at 3 mm or around one tenth of an inch will take around 40,000 miles of driving to completely wear out. Don't wait until then to replace your brake pads. Once your brake pads reach 3 mm it is recommended that you schedule an appointment to get them replaced soon.
Why are my brakes making a grinding noise?
Grinding noises usually indicate that your car's brake system is overdue for maintenance. The grinding sound is usually caused by the brake pad being completely worn away or the brake shoe scraping on metal contact points.
Why are my brakes squeaking?
Noises coming from your brakes do not usually indicate a high-cost auto repair. It could be a foreign object such as a small stone or road debris. It could also be a signal that your brake-pads are wearing out and need replacing. As brake pads wear bits of metal in your brake pad come in contact with the rotor to create a squeaking noise when you apply the brakes.
Why are my brakes vibrating?
If your car shakes or vibrates or wobbles when you apply the brakes, it indicates that the thickness of your rotor is uneven. Brake rotors are large, perfectly round, smooth metal discs that sit inside of the wheels. When the disc has become misshapen or unevenly worn it will vibrate or wobble when you hit the brakes. Left uneven, the material will continue to build on the uneven spots, making the problem worse over time. Come to Automotive Specialists Inc. to get the face of your car's brake rotors resurfaced to fix the problem.
How do I know if my car is leaking brake fluid?
If your car does not stop as quickly as you expect you may be leaking brake fluid. This is a serious problem. An important part of the braking process involves brake fluid, which is used to create hydraulic pressure against the brake caliper. If your vehicle is leaking brake fluid, you won't be able to stop safely. We recommend taking your vehicle to an auto repair shop as quickly as possible if it is leaking brake fluid.
Why are my brakes making a burning smell?
Overheated brakes cause a noticeable burning chemical smell. Pull over to a safe place and allow the brakes to cool. Ensure you did not accidentally leave the parking brake on. If there's any smoke coming from a wheel, it may be that the brake caliper is malfunctioning and locked in place. In this case, it may be unsafe to continue driving.
Why is my car pulling to one side when I am braking?
If your car is pulling to one side when braking it may be a bad brake hose or a caliper issue causing one brake to engage while the other is not. This causes a pull on the side where the brake is working properly.
What are the 3 types of brake pads?
There are three main types of brake pads in use today: non-asbestos organic, ceramic and semi-metallic. Come by Automotive Specialists Inc. or consult your car's owner's manual to determine which type is best for your vehicle.
What are the 3 signs that brake pads are worn?
The three most common sounds that indicate you need to replace your brake pads are squeaking, grinding or the dashboard brake indicator light coming on.
What is the 30-30-30 rule for brakes?
Brake specialists advise initiating new brake pads by using a 30-30-30 method: Perform 30 gradual stops from 30 mph, allowing 30 seconds between each stop for the brakes to cool. This process protects against excessive heat buildup until the resins in the pads have completely cured.
08/03/2020
My daughter just moved in to her apartment at Butler Community College and she suddenly had driving issues with her SUV. She just happened to pull in to the parking lot on a Sunday early evening and even though they were closed, Mitch was there and helped her figure out the problem. He got it in for repair on Monday for a very reasonable price. I can't thank him enough for helping her out. I feel more confident now that if there are future issues while she is at school, he will be there to help!
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What People Say About Us
I believe in keeping business in our community! This is the first time I needed auto repair and my vehicle left me highly concerned when it broke down. So highly pleased with all areas of Automotive Specialists that I will always return for all my needs. If your looking for quality, efficiency, and price, I HIGHLY recommend them for all your needs. I will refer anyone I know to them. I am also going to refer them to my neighbors for they too are looking for this kind of service.
My first visit due to my previous tech retiring and moving out of state. Auto Specialists inspected and got both our vehicles ready for winter in a VERY efficient and organized manner. These people are well organized, knowledgeable, and honest. Didn't try to pad the bill with unnecessary repairs or marketing practices. In fact, they found ways to save me costs while still doing top-notch work. I'm going to them from now on for all our vehicle maintenance and needs. I'm confident I'll have more high-rating reviews to share in the future.
I was driving from Kansas City to OKC, and had just had my brake pads replaced and rotors turned the day before. I pulled off for lunch and heard a terrible noise, apparently my caliper came loose. Luckily this place was less than a mile, so I limped it in. They were super friendly and helpful, even though they were short handed due to COVID. I was in and out in about 30 min even though they had other jobs. A++++
Above and beyond friendly service.
While my family was on a quick day trip out of town, our van broke down. We were able to locate the shop through AAA services. Mitch and his team were incredibly helpful and courteous. On what could have been a day being stranded away from home, we were in and out of there in just a couple hours. Our bill was even a pleasant surprise too! My family is very grateful and we appreciate all the help from Automotive Specialists of El Dorado. Our only regret is that we do not live closer to come back for all our vehicle maintenance.
Thanks again Mitch!
My daughter just moved in to her apartment at Butler Community College and she suddenly had driving issues with her SUV. She just happened to pull in to the parking lot on a Sunday early evening and even though they were closed, Mitch was there and helped her figure out the problem. He got it in for repair on Monday for a very reasonable price. I can't thank him enough for helping her out. I feel more confident now that if there are future issues while she is at school, he will be there to help!