DELAWARE & PENNSYLVANIA AUTO REPAIR

When is it Time to Replace Your Brakes? Your car brakes are what makes the difference between your safety and a tragic accident. You need to keep them in optimal shape to ensure they're working properly at all times. As they get constant use in your car, they tend to wear down more quickly than other parts in your car. Sometimes you'll be able to see or hear potential damage to your brakes, but in other instances you won't know there's a problem until it's too late. In this article, we'll break down common signs that your brakes need to be replaced and how you can keep them in pristine shape moving forward. How Do Brakes Work? Car brake systems are more complicated than meets the eye. They're comprised of the following parts that work together to safely bring your car to a halt: Brake pedal — Creates leverage to start the braking process Brake booster — Amplifies your ... read more

The cost of brake repair depends on several factors: vehicle make and model, parts cost, labor fee, and necessary repairs. While the average cost for a full brake repair ranges from $400 to $700, these factors do not guarantee a fixed price. Your vehicle’s make and model plays a major role in determining the price of its various parts. Ceramic brakes, for example, cost more than semi-metallic brakes—but also tend to last longer. High-end vehicles that use higher quality material usually have more expensive parts. The cost of parts is determined by the manufacturer and varies depending on the vehicle make and model. At Paul Campanella’s Auto & Tire Center, we use trusted third-party suppliers to order parts. If the third-party does not have the right part, we will order from the OEM, or original equipment manufacturer. Because they are more expensive, we only resort to OEM if none of our suppliers have the part your vehicle needs. The cost of a brake job also depen ... read more

Brake failure is attributed to numerous factors, almost all of which trickle down to improper brake maintenance. Like any system in your vehicle, your brakes will fail if you do not follow a recommended maintenance schedule. The frequency at which you replace your brakes will vary according to vehicle usage. Always remember to ask your local auto repair shop for their personalized recommendation when it comes to vehicle maintenance. 1. Brake fluid A big factor that plays into your vehicle’s brake health is the brake fluid. This hydraulic fluid generates pressure needed to stop your vehicle effectively. If there’s a leak in the reservoir or if the brake fluid becomes contaminated, your brake system will start to degrade and eventually fail. Therefore, it’s important to make sure you are changing your vehicle’s fluid systems routinely. While the general recommendation for a brake fluid flush is every 2 to 5 years or 30,000 miles, each vehicle is ... read more

Why are my brakes smoking? The smell of burning can be scary when you're driving, and you start to notice it. Only to then find out that smoke is coming into your car. Many times, your brakes are to blame. If your brakes start to smoke, it is best to stop driving until the problem is fixed. Some of the most common causes and some things to look for if your brakes start to smoke are explained below. Stuck Brake Pads As time goes on, your brakes will get dirty with brake dust and corrosion. This is because they are exposed to the weather. Buildup of dust can make your brake pads stick to your disc. People who have this happen cannot move the brakes or the wheel can't move freely. The friction causes a lot of heat that does not need to be there, which often causes a b ... read more

What causes my Disc Brakes to get Stuck? Having a Broken Disc Assembly means the vehicle won’t move or will create an excessive amount of Heat Damaging multiple components of your Vehicle. You may see Poor Acceleration or braking, the Vehicle Pulls to one side or an increase in fuel consumption. 1. Applies to the Brake Pads and Carrier but doesn’t apply to all Carrier Assemblies. The slots where the Brake Pads sit can become filled with Road Debris or Rust, in the end making the Brake Pads Stick. When Brakes are applied, they can force the Pads against the Rotor which is unable to release in the end. 2. The Caliper Piston may become caught in the Caliper Casting. This is caused by a buildup of Road Debris or Corrosion usually caused by a Failing Boot. Another reason can be caused by applying the Brak ... read more

How do I extend the life of my brakes? Brakes are the most important safety feature on a vehicle regardless of the type. Before finding yourself having to get them replaced by a certified mechanic such as Paul Campanella’s Auto & Tire Center, there are a few ways you can prolong the life of your brakes. Allow plenty of room to stop: Sudden stops are hard on your brakes and put a lot of pressure on the brake pads which will wear down the rubber and metal. By leaving a fair amount of distance to come to a full stop, you minimize the amount of pressure you need to apply to stop the vehicle.   Slow down: Speed also contributes to wear on the brakes. Braking at a lower speed dissipates less energy than braking at a higher speed. Lighten up ... read more

What is the difference between a Brake Flush and a Brake Bleed? There are two types of brake fluid service procedures: bleeding and flushing. Paul Campanella’s Auto and Tire Centers recommend a flush as the best way to service your brake fluid. Let’s look at both and see which makes more sense for you. Bleeding your Brake System: The bleeding process involves manually pumping enough new fluid through your brake lines to simply eliminate any air that may be in them. The vehicle’s four brakes are bled individually.] Flushing your Brake System: The brake flushing process goes a step beyond. Flushing fully replaces all of your old brake fluid with new clean fluid. This procedure is done with a flushing ma ... read more

Are coated rotors worth it? The primary purpose of a brake rotor is to slow your vehicle. The friction created by the pads against the rotors help to stop car movement in emergency situations and when you want to park. The reason for coating rotors is to prevent rust from forming on the rotor. If rust is allowed to form, it will eat away at the metal and cause chunks of material to break off.  While coated rotors do cost an additional amount, they are more durable and will last longer than uncoated rotors. If you looking to spend less money on replacement parts in the long run, come to Paul Campanella's Auto and Tire Center and have us coat your rotors

What is a Brake Fade? For a vehicle to slow down, the brake pad and the rotor need to create a friction in the braking system. When this friction does not occur, it is referred to as a “brake fade”. Brake fade is commonly caused by overheating from overuse of your brakes. Some drivers will put their foot on the brake pedal and continuously apply pressure. As a result of the constant friction, an enormous amount of heat will be produced, which in turn can cause the brake pads or rotors to stop working. If you are driving and experience any of these brake fade symptoms, attempt to bring your vehicle to a complete stop, wait 10 minutes and then slowly test your brakes. Next steps? Contact Paul Campanella’s Auto and Tire Center for a complete brake system inspection