Brake Service

A blue 2023 Subaru BRZ is shown from the rear at an angle after recieving brake service.

Have your brakes been making weird noises? Do you need someone to check them to see if it’s time to replace them, or are you looking for full brake service? Visit Ruge’s Subaru for all your brake needs! Though you might drive a vehicle every day, you shouldn’t be expected to know every single thing about it. Not everyone needs to be a part-time mechanic. Even if you do know more about your vehicle than most other drivers, do you have the time and energy to spare on replacing parts yourself? Most people don’t, and that’s why they come to us.

We’re here to help you figure out what your vehicle needs, whether it needs new brake fluid, pads, rotors, or a combination of the three. You don’t want to risk driving with bad brakes, so when you see or hear things that indicate it might be time for someone to take a look, drop by Ruge’s Subaru. We’re happy to answer any questions you might have, show you what type of rotors and brake pads your specific vehicle needs, and give you excellent customer service with a smile. You won’t have to worry about your brakes anymore; Ruge’s Subaru has got your back.

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Braking System 101

In the simplest terms, brakes are on vehicles to help them slow down and stop on demand. Whenever you pull up to a stoplight or stop sign, slow down because of highway traffic, or back up into a parking space and stop before you hit the curb, your brakes are engaged. Though every modern vehicle is equipped with a brake on each wheel, there are some differences in these systems depending on which model you’re driving; some vehicles are equipped with four disc brakes or with two disc and two drum brakes (front and rear, respectively).

If you have four disc brakes, you also have four rotors. (Rotors are the disc part of the disc brake and work alongside the wheel and tires.) When you need to slow down or make a stop, the rotors are pressed upon by the brake pads, which slows the rotors—and thus the wheel—which effectively stops your vehicle. All of these parts work in harmony until they start to wear, and depending on how long you wait to replace parts, or if you replace them one by one, you’ll start to hear, see, and feel the changes, which can be somewhat nerve-wracking.

Another reason you might have a difference in performance is that brake fluid needs to be replaced every so often. Brake fluid is the middle-man between the brake pedal and the brake pads. If you go too long without replacing brake fluid, it can severely damage your brake system, which can lead to major repairs or replacements. When you bring your vehicle in to get it checked, we can take a look at the rotors, pads, and brake fluid to ensure that everything is running as it should or to let you know what needs to be replaced.

A mechanic is shown working on a brake caliper.

When to Replace Brake Parts

How do you know when you need to replace brake parts? What do rotors and pads look like when they’re worn versus new? Typically, you might be able to take a peek at the rotors, but unless you want to take your tires off or flush your brake fluid, you won’t always be able to tell when you need to make an appointment to have your brakes looked at. Depending on what vehicle you have, there are recommended maintenance schedules to follow; the rule of thumb, however, is that you at least get your brake system checked every 25,000-30,000 miles. You may have to replace your pads more often than your rotors or change them both out every 30,000 miles or so.

There are operational tells you can watch out for, as well. If you hear a screech or crunch when you brake, you need to get your brakes looked at immediately. If you notice that it’s more difficult to brake, it’s a good idea to get your brakes checked. If you find yourself unable to brake without extreme difficulty, it’s past time to have someone look at your brakes. This is why it’s so important to keep a paper copy of your vehicle’s owner’s manual or to get a digital copy from the manufacturer; the maintenance schedule for each vehicle is different, and if you go by one model's schedule for another model, you’ll find out quickly enough that one size does not fit all.

Other factors to consider are how much driving you do, road conditions, and weather. Are you in an area that frequently experiences heavy rain, snow, or mud? Do you do any off-roading with your vehicle? Do you regularly haul and tow for work or recreation? You may need to have your brake system checked sooner than other drivers due to more wear and tear. You may also want to look into the different types of brake pads in case you need something more heavy-duty than the average driver.

A mechanic is shown holding a new and an old brake pad.

Why Drivers Choose Ruge’s Subaru

If you’re thinking about getting your brakes looked at, or you know you need to schedule an appointment, we’re the place you need to visit. We offer a maintenance schedule lookup to see when your specific model needs servicing, and we can schedule you for that maintenance then and there. We can also order parts for you, and we’ve usually got specials so that you can get new rotors, pads, and brake fluid at a great price. When you get your tires rotated—which should be every six months or so—you can request that we take a look at your brakes to make sure everything is working as it should be.

Drivers tend to choose us because we have expert technicians, we have resources available for every driver, and we take pride in our customer service. We know that it can be a hassle to maintain a vehicle, but we’ll help make it easier for you so that you can focus on driving to your destination instead of stressing about that weird squealing noise that just started happening. We’ll go the extra mile so that you can relax on the road.

The Ruge's Subaru logo is shown.

Schedule an Appointment With Us Today!

Whether it’s your first time getting your brakes checked on a new vehicle or you’ve got an older model that needs to be looked at once again, you can count on us to provide the best service at an affordable price. You can call to schedule an appointment, do so online, or drop by and see what day and time works best for you. Our technicians can work on just about anything, and we can order parts if we don’t have them in stock. We’ll help you keep your vehicle in great shape no matter the brand or where you bought it from.

At Ruge’s Subaru, we’re happy to help, answering questions or pointing you in the right direction; whatever you need, let us know, and we’ll get to work so that your vehicle is in tip-top shape in no time. Need assistance figuring out what’s wrong with your vehicle? Unsure about its maintenance schedule? Don’t wait—schedule a visit with us today!