At Chili Automotive Repair, we want our North Chili 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 585-594-4444, and we will be happy to speak with you. Here is some valuable information on brake issues and corrective services Chili Automotive Repair 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 Chili Automotive Repair 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 Chili Automotive Repair 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 Chili Automotive Repair in North Chili 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 Chili Automotive Repair, 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 Chili Automotive Repair 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 Chili Automotive Repair 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 Chili Automotive Repair or consult your car's owner's manual to determine which type is best for your vehicle.
Discover More About Brake Repair Services At Chili Automotive Repair in North Chili
Alignment Services
Customer Service
Tire Repair Services
What People Say About Us
These guys were awesome! We live in Buffalo but were visiting family in Rochester. On our way home we noticed our tire was going flat. By luck we pulled in here, to inspect our car and get off the road. They were closed but by chance a gentleman was doing inventory or some extra work. He came out to see if we needed any help. He got on the cold snow covered ground and went to work locating the hole. He quickly determined he could patch the tire for us and did so. He could have stayed inside we would have never known he was there. We knew the facility was closed, we just pulled in to get off the road. This good Samaritan came to our rescue and boy was it cold outside. Thanks for your help!!! We would have been stranded forever because we didn't have a spare tire. You guys are the best.
Chili Automotive is fantastic!!! They go ABOVE AND BEYOND! Multiple people there have! I trust them with all my cars needs. I have Mercedes and the dealer said what I needed done. Chili Automotive took a look at the recommendation and could specifically say why they thought it wasn't needed at this time. They noticed a tire that they put on was different the next time I came in and asked me if I changed it and I told them no asked me if someone else had driven my car and I said no until I realize I was at a hotel and then valet kept the car in a parking garage for three days. He actually called two places and gave me the number of a third for the type of tire that was sold in Ohio. As a single mom, I didn't have a ride home. The owner drove me home so again they go above and beyond.
I had been looking for a local auto repair shop for a while. Didn't really take too much notice of Chili Auto as I drove by them on a daily basis until they did a major overhaul on the exterior of their shop. Went home and got online and liked the reviews and decided to try them. Took my car in for a brake job and was impressed with the information shared by Mark prior to my appointment. Had my brakes replaced in February and have to say that it was the best mechanical work I have ever received. The brakes work flawlessly - very smooth and the adjustments are perfect. I would definitely refer them to family and friends. Now scheduled for a tune up and a little bit of transmission work. 5 Star service and quality of work.
To Mark & Crew,
Thank you so much for immediately taking care of a problem with my car. My car had been shifting strangely for about a week. My husband checked the transmission fluid level and it didn't even register! He told me to pick up a couple bottles of transmission fluid but then found out Toyotas take special transmission fluid.
So naturally a trip to Chili Automotive was next. They put some transmission fluid in but it wasn't filling. Mark wanted to put it on the lift and the problem was that the transmission line was leaking badly! He said I couldn't drive it and asked if I had anything planned that afternoon. They fixed it right away! I didn't even have an appointment!
I am so grateful to you and your crew! Thank you!
I have had my cars & trucks serviced by Mark Walsh for 25 years. He is a man of integrity & automotive expertise. Now my sons, as well, bring their vehicles to Mark. This is a second generation of happy cusatomers.
It is important to me to have reliable and trustworthy automotive repair service as I tend to drive my cars for several years rather than buy new ones every 3-4 years. I came to Chili Automotive Repair approximately two years ago and have been very satisfied. There are three things I look for in an automotive repair facility: people, place, and performance.
People
I want to work with people who are competent and people I can trust. The staff and personnel at Chili Automotive Repair meet this test completely. They are extremely courteous and knowledgeable. They also tell me, in language I can understand, what the problem is and what needs to be done to correct it. They let me know what potential problems might be coming in the future and how to avoid them. They provide sound long-term maintenance strategies. They are also very flexible and accommodating. One time I had a battery that was just about to expire in minutes. I quickly drove to Chili Automotive Repair thinking I would have to leave the car all night as it was about closing time. However, they took me in and fixed the problem (installed a new battery) right on the spot.
Place
This seems like a small thing but it is actually very important. The Waiting Room of any business speaks volumes about the attitude of ownership toward its customers. Chili Automotive is no exception. The Waiting Room is comfortable and clean. Its condition and appearance plus its amenities (coffee, water cooler, and rest room) tell me that my comfort is important to Chili Automotive Repair. I appreciate that.
Performance
When repairs are performed on my cars I expect the problem(s) to be remedied so that my car is safe and ready to go and that the problem(s) will not re-occur. Chili Automotive Repair consistently achieves this standard. Owner Mark Walsh and staff adeptly diagnose the problem, propose the best solution, and deliver the repairs that were promised. They do this in a friendly and professional way.
I would recommend Chili Automotive Repair to any of my friends.