You’re driving along when you hear a high-pitched squeal like a shrew every time you step on the brakes. Before you know it, the brake warning light comes on your dashboard. You immediately ask yourself, "Is there anywhere I can get brake service near me?" Before the worry of finding a reputable shop begins to set in as you scramble to get your brakes fixed, we here at Thomas Nissan of Joliet welcome you to come into our service center for all of your brake service needs. Our trained mechanics will use their expert skills to get your brakes done so you and your vehicle can get back on the road safely.
Your brakes are a number of different parts that need to work together to bring your car to a safe stop every time you step on the brake pedal. When you step on the brakes, you begin a series of events that should happen almost instantaneously. Your action causes the cylinder to send brake fluid to the calipers, which look like a pair of legs, moving them to push the brake pads against your wheels’ rotors. This causes friction to bring the car to a stop, with the padding damping the sound and reducing the wear and tear on the rotors.
When everything is working correctly, this should happen with little or no sound. If there are screeching, squealing, grinding, or clicking sounds, it is time to get your brakes done. If you let it go, you may find yourself in a situation where you can’t slow your car quick enough, or you could start doing serious damage to your car’s brakes and wheels. When you bring your car to our dealership, we will make sure to diagnose the problem with your brakes and get them fixed the right way.
Before we do any work on your car, we will give it a full brake inspection. If we detect a problem with your brakes, beyond just having the warning light illuminated on your car’s dashboard, we will provide you with a full report and our technician’s recommendation for the best way to approach the repair. We believe in full transparency with all customers at our service center, which is why you will get a price quote for the service, so you won’t have to worry about any hidden costs or expenses.
Sometimes a brake repair can be as simple as checking for a leak if your brakes are low on brake fluid. If this is the case, we can repair the leak, replace the missing fluid, and have you back on the road in no time. Other times, it could be that your brake pads have gotten worn. Over time, your brake pads will get thin from usage. Brake pads can generally last between 20,000 and 70,000 miles, depending on the manufacturer, your car’s transmission, where you drive, and your own driving habits.
If you find yourself driving in Chicago traffic, then you are going to be on your brakes more than if you spend most of your time out on Interstate 55. Also, if your transmission automatically downshifts when you take your foot off the accelerator, you won’t need to use the brakes as much. Finally, some folks tend to ride their brakes or drive fast, putting more pressure on them, leading to more wear on the pads. If this sounds like you, you’ll probably need to replace your front and rear pads more often.
The good news is that this is a really easy job. When you bring your car into Thomas Nissan of Joliet, our team will get to work immediately. This involves removing the old pads and replacing them on your front and rear brakes. We will also check to make sure they are properly adjusted and aligned so they will work as good as new.
Have you ever found your car pulling to the left or right whenever you hit the brakes? Is this sometimes combined with a strange, wobbly feeling on one of the sides of your car? Then there is a good chance that you may have accidentally bent a rotor on your car’s brakes.
It is not too difficult to get a bent rotor. Tapping the curve as you park your car can do this. So can hitting a pothole while driving at speed. Over time, rotors can become rusted, leading to an uneven surface. It’s not unlike twisting your ankle while stepping off a curve. You might feel slight pain but continue on your way, only to have your ankle swell up later in the day. So it is with brake rotors. When you begin to brake, especially at higher speeds, you’ll feel pulling and vibration. Over time, this condition will only get worse if you don’t get it taken care of. Fortunately, when you come to us, we can take care of this problem.
Our team will check to ensure the rotors are smooth and parallel to each other. If there is any issue like bending or rust, we can resurface it if this will work. In more extreme cases, we will remove the existing rotor and replace it with an authentic part designed for your vehicle. Our technician will then make sure the brakes are properly aligned, so there aren’t any further issues.
Getting your brakes properly fixed is not just about making sure you get a smooth ride out of your car. It is also an important part of vehicle safety. If you start noticing these problems, they are warning signs from your vehicle that you need to do something to fix your brakes, whether it is getting the brake fluid checked, the front and rear brake pads resurfaced, or your rotors or calipers replaced. You need to know that each time you step on the brake pedal you can bring your car to a safe stop.
One of the most common issues with your brakes is also the simplest to address. Brake fluid causes your calipers to push the pads against the rotors, bringing your car safely to a stop. However, like other fluids, they can be lost or evaporated over time. Also, there is a chance that there is a leak in the system, slowly draining the brake system of the necessary brake fluid.
When you bring your car into our service center at Thomas Nissan of Joliet, one of the first things our brake experts will do is check the brake fluid level. If it is low, it could be caused by a small leak. They will do a quick check to make sure that if there is a leak, they can plug it. If not, they will simply replace the missing brake fluid to ensure a sufficient amount is in your braking system. This simple fix will pay off, as low brake fluid impacts the proper functioning of the other parts of your brakes, like the pads, calipers, and rotors. With insufficient brake fluid, you have to work these parts harder to stop your car. The result is a shorter lifespan for these parts. This is why if you have an issue with your brakes, bring it to us as soon as possible. This could be the difference between a minor, inexpensive fix and a major, costly repair.
Just like your brake pads, your car’s tires will begin to wear out over time. In general, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that tires be replaced every 6 years regardless of your vehicle’s mileage. This is because the rubber in your tires can degrade over time. However, if you put more mileage on your car, you will need to replace your tires more often. At our tire center, our team will help you select the best set of tires for your vehicle if you need to get them replaced.
Tires come in all different types and sizes, from all-terrain and all-season to summer weight and winter tires. The type you choose will depend on your planned usage, although the most popular type is all-season tires, which come on most passenger vehicles sold in America. Each tire will have a pattern of grooves and ridges called treads designed to channel water away from the tire's surface, providing you with better traction and reducing the chance of skidding. With usage, the treads will begin to wear down. Once it has gone beyond a certain depth, it is time to get your tires replaced. Most tires have a lifespan of 25,000 to 50,000 miles, so you should use this as a rule of thumb, as well as the tire manufacturer’s specifications.
Our team will not only replace your vehicle’s tires when the time comes but also make sure they are properly balanced. If you get a flat that is beyond repair, but the other three tires are perfectly fine, then we will arrange to replace it with the same make, model, and size. You should never ride on mismatched tires, as this can cause problems for your car, including issues with handling and braking. In addition, if you want to get the most life out of your tires, make sure you have them inflated as specified by the manufacturer. Riding on overinflated or underinflated tires can reduce their lifespan. Our tire experts are here to make sure to address any issues you may have with your tires.
Taking care of your vehicle is a surefire way to get the longest driving life out of it, regardless of the choice of make, model, or vehicle type. This can be as simple as bringing your car into our service center at Thomas Nissan of Joliet for routine maintenance. This involves changing the engine oil and filter, rotating the tires, checking all other fluid levels like transmission and brake fluid, and inspecting the vehicle for any latent problems. It also means getting your brakes, wheels, and tires routinely checked and, if necessary, adjusted and aligned to get the best ride out of your car. This can even pay off for you, as a properly maintained car will give you optimal performance, including the best fuel economy possible for your make and model.
Our service center can also help you with major repairs. Whether you need your tires or brakes replaced or have an issue with your powertrain, our team of trained technicians can help you with every aspect of auto maintenance that you need for your vehicle. If you are in for routine service, you can make yourself comfortable at our service center lounge, where we offer free Wi-Fi, complimentary coffee, and cable television. If you need to get to work or need to leave your vehicle for more involved service or repairs, you can arrange for a loaner car to use while we work on your vehicle. We even offer to tow you to our dealership if you cannot drive your car to our service center. Once your service is over, you can get it to look as good as new with a free car wash. At Thomas Nissan of Joliet, we offer unmatched service in a transparent and friendly manner. Bring your car in today and see why no other service center can match our team!
