

What could be more important on your car than the brakes? Nothing, that's what. So let us help you take the best possible care of them at the Capitol Subaru service department!
Below, we've gathered five tips on how to care for five major components of your car's braking system. Armed with this information, you can make sure your car provides reliable stopping power. Best of all, you'll be able to catch brake system problems early so we can fix them before they develop into major, costly repairs. Have additional questions we don't answer below? Feel free to give us a call, and a knowledgeable service advisor will be happy to give you the answers you need to properly care for your Subaru.

5. Subaru Brake Light Switch Recall
Whether it has to do with the brakes or any other part of your car, manufacturer recalls are important to be aware of. In March of this year, Subaru issued a voluntary recall of nearly 1.3 million Subaru vehicles in order to fix a potentially faulty brake light switch. While the brakes themselves will work fine, some Subaru vehicles might not turn on their brake lights properly if this switch fails.
If you're currently driving around a 2008 to 2016 Subaru Impreza, 2013 to 2017 Crosstrek or 2014 to 2016 Forester, and you haven't visited a Subaru service center in a while, we encourage you to bring your vehicle to Capitol Subaru. Recall repairs cost you nothing, and we want to make sure you're driving the safest possible vehicle.
4. Brake Fluid -- When To Change
The brake fluid is an oft-overlooked feature of your car's braking system. When you press on the brake, force is translated through the brake fluid to the brakes themselves. Be sure to check the owner's manual or speak with an authorized Subaru service center like ours for when you should have your Subaru brake fluid changed.
If you don't change the brake fluid, you can suffer from something called brake fade. Brake fade is the feeling you get when you press the brake and you get immediate grab and stopping power -- but then stopping power quickly fades away. That means that the aging brake fluid is boiling in the brake lines from the heat generated by braking. As brake fluid gets old, it can absorb water from the atmosphere, which lowers the temperature at which the fluid boils. To fix this problem, have a technician bleed the old fluid from the brake lines and add fresh brake fluid to the system.

3. Brake Booster & Brake Master Cylinder -- When They Go Bad
So, now you know that the linkage between your car's brakes and the pedal you press with your foot is through the hydraulic brake fluid. Two components under the hood of your car help to increase the pressure created when you press the brake pedal: the brake booster and the brake master cylinder. Thanks to these components, a gentle motion of your foot can bring a 3,500-pound vehicle to a smooth, comfortable stop.
As these components suffer damage, you can find it requires a lot more force to press the brake pedal. Or, you might find that the brake pedal feels mushy, sinks toward the floor or even falls all the way to the floor. Such a problem usually means you've got a problem in the master cylinder or brake booster. It's crucial to be able to stop quickly in the event of an emergency, so be sure to visit Capitol Subaru to have these components inspected if the feel of your brake pedal fails to inspire confidence. Of course, if you're not sure how well the vehicle will stop, don't drive it. We can help arrange a tow, and that's always better than driving with questionable brakes on the road.

2. Brake Rotors -- Replace Or Resurface?
On most modern cars, you'll find disc-style brakes. These brakes work by squeezing a set of high-friction brake pads against a smooth metal brake rotor disc. Over time, these rotors can suffer damage. The surface of your rotors can warp, scratch and collect patches of brake dust. As this happens, you might lose stopping power, and the car might start to vibrate or shudder under braking. This probably means you're in need of brake rotor service -- but you might have options.
In many cases, your brake rotors can be resurfaced to remove any damage and unevenness. This is sometimes called "turning" the brake rotors. It means you can keep using your existing rotors instead of paying for a brand-new set! This can save you some serious scratch. However, brake rotors do wear out. If they've been worn too thin, then they can't be turned, and you'll need new ones instead.
1. Subaru Brake Pads
Most people know that the brake pads on their car need to be replaced every so often. If you're driving a modern Subaru vehicle, your brake pads should be inspected by a certified Subaru technician every 12,000 miles.
That's because you can't really tell how long your brake pads will last. While they could last anywhere from 20,000-40,000 miles under light driving circumstances, those who push their performance car at the track or experience a lot of stop-and-go traffic will wear through their brake pads much faster. The best way to find out how much life is left in your brake pads is to have them measured by a certified Subaru technician.
It's just one more reason to visit Capitol Subaru for recommended maintenance! When you get your car regularly inspected, we can help catch potential problems early. We'll let you know when components need to be replaced, or when they're good to go for miles and miles more. We make it simple and affordable to own your Subaru and keep it looking, driving and feeling like new.
Capitol Subaru of Salem
920 Auto Group Ave NE
Salem, OR 97301
- Sales: 503-587-5500
- Service: 503-587-5500
- Parts: 503-587-5500