Having a car of your very own is great. It gives you the freedom to get where you need to be safely and on time. Feeling like a road trip? You can take the entire family to the beach or to the mountains with ease and convenience. This is especially important in the pandemic era. With so many of the usual favorites closed, it’s important to have a car that will take you anywhere. But in order to keep you and your family safe, it’s imperative to keep your car in good condition. This includes regular maintenance, oil changes, and safe brakes. Knowing the right mechanics—someone you can trust—is half of this battle. So, if you’re looking for the best place to get your brakes fixed near me then look no further.

Kernersville Auto Center prides itself on being the Triad’s leading destination for family-friendly service. They understand that customers can be skeptical about mechanics. That’s why they make it a point to be approachable to all customers, especially women and families. As a full-service auto center, they can handle anything your car needs. They even have a state-of-the-art car wash to keep your car shining like new. Plus, they have ASE-certified technicians that can do the highest quality work on your car. And they use genuine Havoline products for oil changes and other fluid services. So, whether you need repair, maintenance services, or brake replacement, they can help. They can even handle your NC state inspection when it’s due. Check out what makes them the premier destination for all of your car’s needs.

How Do Brakes Work?

Many people have a general idea of what brakes are for and how they work. It is a fairly straightforward concept, after all. Simply tap the braking pedal and the car slows down. However, it is important to understand the brake components on your car. A braking system consists of a brake caliper, brake pads, and a brake rotor. These are the primary components of a car disc brake system.

Simply put, a car in motion has a lot of kinetic energy. To stop the car, this kinetic energy must be displaced or absorbed. This is where the brakes come into play. A braking system uses the force of friction to convert kinetic energy into heat. When you tap the brake pedal, a connected lever pushes a piston into the master cylinder. This master cylinder is filled with hydraulic or brake fluid. The brake system squirts this fluid along a system of pipes into other cylinders next to the brakes. The hydraulic system multiplies the force of your foot to give enough force to stop the car.

Most brakes consist of a brake disc, a brake caliper and a brake pad. These are located on the inside of each tire on the vehicle. The hydraulic fluid, via the brake line, causes the caliper to press the brake pad against the disc. This produces the friction required to stop the car’s kinetic energy. Most modern cars have a sensor to aid in this process.

How Often Should Brakes Be Replaced?

As explained above, a vehicle’s brakes are of enormous importance to a car. Because brakes are critical to your safety, it is imperative that they are maintained properly. The brake pad is designed to create friction against the car’s momentum. Naturally, the brake pads and the rotor will wear out with normal use. There’s very little that’s as unsafe as worn brake pads that need replacement.

Of course, the time in between brake repair, brake service, or even brake pad replacement varies. Factors include:

• Driving Habits—every driver is different. How hard a driver pushes their brakes will have the biggest impact on their longevity. For example, drivers that tailgate and slam the brakes often and abruptly will need more frequent replacement. Drivers that are safer and gently coast to stops whenever possible will see brakes last longer. Smooth, gradual braking greatly increases the lifespan of the brake pads and other parts.
• Environment—it’s not just driving habits that affect longevity, though. This is also greatly impacted by environment. For example, some drivers live in rural areas with very little traffic or stop lights. City drivers, on the other hand, will use their brakes much more frequently. Plus, terrain has a big impact. Driving in the mountains with steep elevation changes can wear out brakes very quickly. This is because brakes are used frequently to control downhill speed.
• Quality of Brake Parts—the materials used in the brake pads also have a tremendous impact. For example, brake pads come in different compounds for different needs. Performance cars need harder compounds. These perform better, but have to be replaced much more often. Soft compounds perform well in urban areas. Materials used in the brake rotor also make a big difference. Let an expert recommend what will work best for you.

How to Tell When Brakes Need Replacing

Although many factors affect when brakes need replacing, there is a general rule of thumb. For the average driver, brake pads need to be replaced after about 50,000 miles. Of course, this is just a general average. Some brake pads need to be replaced after 25,000. Others can last up to 70,000 miles. However, the manual that comes with the car and the parts will have specific numbers.

There are also warning signs that suggest the brake pads are wearing out. These include:

• Brake Pad Thickness—the thickness of brake pads can be inspected with a quick visual test. This is ideally done when an owner has the tires rotated or the oil changed. Kernersville Auto Center can check the brake pads during regular maintenance. As the brake pads age, the friction material decreases. This friendly team will be able to tell you what kind of shape the brake pads are in. If they need replacing, they can help. But if they are still in good shape, they will let you know – they never sell you unnecessary parts.
• Squealing or Scraping Noises—brake pads are designed with small metal hairs at the very bottom of the material. This is done to give an important warning sign when the gripping material deteriorates. So, how do you know when they reach this point? When this occurs, you will notice a squeaking or scraping noise. When you first hear this noise, be sure to bring your car in to Kernersville Auto Center for immediate replacement.
• Jittery or Shaky Braking—another warning sign is jittery braking. When this occurs, there is a good chance the rotor may be warped. It is possible to repair this. However, it is often cheaper just to replace the brake rotor. Good, functional brakes are key to safe driving.

The Best Places to Get Brakes Fixed Near Me

As explained above, a brake is a mechanical device that slows motion by absorbing energy from a moving system. Since they are so important, it is vital to choose the right mechanic to keep your brakes in good shape. So, don’t trust just anyone with this important job. Make sure you bring your car to the Triad’s leader in auto repair.

Kernersville Auto Center is the best place to get brakes fixed near me for anyone in the Triad. In fact, many customers outside of Kernersville drive there for their quality and service. They will perform every job with the finest quality and materials. But more than that, they will treat you the way you deserve to be treated. Unlike other places, they won’t try to confuse or cheat you with technical jargon. They will communicate clearly and help you with what you need. Any time a part needs replacing, a mechanic will show you the part and explain why it needs replacement.

Home of the Free Brake Inspection

Best of all, Kernersville Auto Center offers a free brake inspection to customers. They know that customers lead busy lives. And drivers don’t always have the time to check their brakes as often as they should. That’s why they have designed their services to help every customer drive out with a safe vehicle. Bring in your car or truck for an oil change or other service. During this maintenance, they will perform a brake inspection to check the shape of your brakes. If they are wearing down, they will recommend a good time for a brake job. Or, they can do it right then and there, so you don’t have to come back.

Their free brake inspections are thorough and comprehensive. They will review the entire braking system of your car. This includes the pads, the shoes, the rotors, fluids, and more. If everything looks okay, you can rest assured knowing your care is safe. If you need service, their ASE-certified technicians can make the necessary repairs. Plus, they are experienced with all types of cars. So, they will make these repairs in accordance with your vehicle’s recommended guidelines, straight from the manufacturer.

Get Multiple Jobs Done at the Same Time to Save Time

The experts at Kernersville Auto Center understand that your time is very valuable. That’s why they make it easy for customers to get in, and then get back on with their day. Part of this approach is performing multiple jobs at the same time. At Kernersville Auto Center, you can get your oil changed and your brake pads replaced on the same visit. Customers shouldn’t have to waste their time on multiple trips.

The experts agree the best way to keep your car running smoothly is through routine maintenance. Kernersville Auto Center knows how to maintain your car and keep it running smoothly. They specialize in brake repair and transmission services, but offer a wide variety of services, including:

• General auto repair
• Transmission repair
• Brake repair and replacement
• Air conditioning repair
• Tire repair and replacement, including nitrogen filling
• State-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly car wash with hand detailing services
• Fuel and exhaust system repair
• Ending cooling system maintenance
• Electrical maintenance and computer diagnostics
• Starter and charging repair
• Wheel alignment
• Axle replacement, including CV axles
• State emissions inspection
• Emission repairs
• Oil change
• Steering and suspension work
• NC annual inspection

Even better, they have a loyalty program that lets you earn points for multiple services. Simply create a profile and start earning loyalty points with every purchase. That way, you can earn points each time you have your oil changed or get your brakes replaced. In no time at all, you’ll earn enough points to cut the cost of your next scheduled maintenance. Or, pool your points until you can get something done for free. They’re your points, so use them the way you want to!

Top-Notch, Family-Friendly Service

Kernersville Auto Center is a family-friendly environment. Their friendly experts will perform high-quality, guaranteed service and fair and trustworthy prices. You can expect fair and honest dealing that have earned many loyal customers in Kernersville and beyond for more than 25 years. Come in today to see why local residents are raving about Mac and his staff. The owner is actively involved in the community. In fact, Kernersville Auto Center was recently selected as Business of the Month by the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce. See for yourself on this blog post. Also, check out their Facebook page to see the many 5-star reviews, such as:

• “Top notch service and amazing staff! Mac and Derrick run a tight ship.”
• “Always top-notch service. They know the names of all their customers and treat your vehicle as if it’s their own. Their new car wash is amazing!”

So, next time you need to replace your brakes or require other services, they’re ready to help. Give them a call at 336-993-7697 to speak with their experts today.