At Advance Tire Company, we want our Cambridge 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 617-864-8989, and we will be happy to speak with you. Here is some valuable information on brake issues and corrective services Advance Tire Company 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 Advance Tire Company 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 Advance Tire Company 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 Advance Tire Company in Cambridge 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 Advance Tire Company, 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 Advance Tire Company 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 Advance Tire Company 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 Advance Tire Company or consult your car's owner's manual to determine which type is best for your vehicle.
To learn more about our Brake services, call us at 617-864-8989 or request a quote by clicking below:
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03/29/2021
I had a chipped rim from hitting a curb and took it to Rick and the gang and they were great. Fortunately it was cosmetic, but he declined to fleece me for a new rim. So I gave him some more business and did the brakes and rotors. It's good to have a trustworthy rim and tire guy.
Jonathan Paras
11/27/2019
This is the best place to take my car if it is broken or in need of repair. Hank, Rick, and the team at Advance Tire are the bomb! Love you guys. Thank you for always treating me well and getting me back on the road quickly. I am a relatively new driver and have already hit my share of potholes around Boston. I will continue to be a customer and can't recommend this place enough to everyone I know. The pricing and customer service can't be beat. Don't waste time looking around for other garages, this is the only place to go.
Ethan K.
09/12/2019
Been going here for years and they have always offered great service, really flexible hours, and honest advice about car issues.
Maureen K.
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What our clients are saying about us
We have established longterm and stable partnerships with various clients thanks to our excellence in solving their automotive needs!
Brought my 2011 Volvo sedan into here for 4 new tires. Nice people here - I am glad I live nearby
Hard to beat a place this friendly and professional. We recently got a car after moving to the area, and we weren't sure where to take it for regular service. As soon as I called to make an appointment, I knew we were going to stick with Advance Tire. They don't rush you off the phone, they answer questions and provide helpful advice. I dropped the car off for an oil-change and headlight-replacement appointment this morning. Just before I dropped it off, I misjudged a turn and jumped a curb, popping the passenger-side bumper out a bit. When I picked the car up -- the crew at Advance finished less than an hour later -- I told them what happened and asked if they might have advice on how I could fix it. The owner came out to my car in the rain and popped it back into place. To be clear, the bumper was entirely my mistake, I just wanted to make sure I had a good idea of what I was getting into before trying to fix it on my own or take it to a body shop. But the folks at Advance insisted on helping out. It's a little thing, but that kind of care goes a long way towards earning trust. We'll definitely be back -- hopefully just for routine maintenance!