The Most Critical Aspect of Driving Safely

At Larsen Auto Care, we want your car to run, but we also want it to stop!  Your brake system is what makes this possible.  Brakes work by hydraulic pressure.  When you step on the brake pedal, pressurized fluid runs through the brake lines and presses the brake pads against the wheel rotors.  This pressure is what stops the car, but it also puts wear on your brake pads and rotors.

Major Parts of a Brake Systems Include:


  • Brake Pads
  • Rotors (or Disks)
  • Calipers
  • Fluid Lines
  • Fluid Reservoir

Both pads and rotors can be replaced, but it is a lot cheaper to replace the pads and avoid excess wear on the rotors.  Most brake pads are made from light metals or materials like Kevlar mixed with a high-strength glue.  These are designed to wear out faster than the steel rotors, and when the pad material is gone, the metal structure of the pad-backing frame begins to grind into the smooth surface of the rotor.  This damage to the rotor is permanent, and affects the overall performance of your brakes until you replace the rotors.

If you hear that high-pitched squeal, it's probably time to have a look at your brake pads.  Changing the pads regularly can dramatically improve the performance of your braking system, and it is absolutely necessary to maintain the safety of your vehicle.

1426 Petaluma Hill Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 535-0720


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