- Mon 7:30AM - 5:30PM
- Fri 7:30AM - 5:30PM
- Tue 7:30AM - 5:30PM
- Sat 8:00AM - 1:00PM
- Wed 7:30AM - 5:30PM
- Sun Closed
- Thu 7:30AM - 5:30PM
BRAKES & BRAKE REPAIR
At Auto Tech Service, we want our Washington customers to have the opportunity to feel comfortable in their vehicle. You can leave the repairs and services to our professionals, but please don't hesitate to ask us questions about why a service is needed or how it occurred. Give us a call at 202-797-7585, and we will be happy to speak with you. Here is some valuable information on brake issues and corrective services Auto Tech Service offers.
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 Auto Tech Service 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 Auto Tech Service 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 Auto Tech Service in Washington 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 Auto Tech Service, we inspect your rotors thoroughly and recommend the best course of action.
FAQs About Brakes
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 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 Auto Tech Service and let us help you diagnose this issue quickly.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.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 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 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 Auto Tech Service 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 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.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.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 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 Auto Tech Service or consult your car's owner's manual to determine which type is best for your vehicle.To learn more about our Brake services, call us at 202-797-7585 or request a quote by clicking below:
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What People Say About Us
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Mark Harcourt, 08/28/2020The transmission cooling line on my Ford F-150 truck burst near Union Station last Friday. Not knowing DC, I asked the tow truck driver to take the truck to a nearby shop that he felt was reputable. Miguel and his team fit me in to their hectic schedule that day. The transmission turned out to be too far gone to be saved. But his team managed to patch the line well enough that I got the truck back to Fredericksburg from DC without having it towed. Miguel was a life saver for me that day. I highly recommend Auto Tech Service.
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Marc J.First time customer- car was making a noise that I thought might be the brakes. Dropped car off at 9 am and had a call with a quote for new brakes by 9:30 am. The job was done the same day at a very reasonable price. I will be going back to these guys and would recommended them to anyone else.
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Natalie R.Amazing service! I took my car in for an oil change, and brought in headlights & taillights for them to change. They did everything the same day and changed my lights for free! Turns out I had brought in the wrong kind of headlight, but they installed one they had on hand and asked me to bring them a replacement whenever was convenient for me to "reimburse" them for the part. Said he didn't want me to be pulled over for having a burnt out headlight. I couldn't believe it! Kind, friendly people who are quick, efficient, and reasonably priced. You can't beat it!
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AnnI have been there a few times with my personal truck ('96 Dodge Dakota) and work vehicle ('12 Nissan Pathfinder). I have always been confident in their work.
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Selma R.Just today was the very first time we dropped off our vehicle at this place. My husband was there around 7:30/8am and was the first customer to arrive. He left our Jeep commander, 2007, and a few hours later, we received a call from the mechanic. The issue we had was so severe, too intricate of work required, and that is exactly what he told us as well. “Best you take the car to the dealer” with a thorough explanation as to why. He DID NOT charge us anything and we greatly appreciate that. We will, unfortunately, have to take it to the dealer, but we will take our car back to this place for any future issues.
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Tenzen J.I went in today with the oil leak problem in Chevy Cruze, he first did a diagnosis and later fixed the problem saying it was just a minor issue. He also helped me with the front headlight fixing a loose wire. And the EXTRAORDINARY part was he did not charge me anything. My experience today was WONDERFUL and they are simply AMAZING, TRUSTWORTHY and HONEST, in other words, THE BEST. I am going to recommend Auto Tech Services to all my friends.
Call us for service: 202-797-7585
