The Issue
The brake service is possibly the most neglected service, but arguably the most important. With nearly half the vehicles in operation (U.S. VIO = 300M) being trucks, these heavier vehicles cause more strain on brake systems. Additionally, the average vehicle on the road today is 12 years old with 125,000 miles, and these brake systems have endured more wear and tear than newer vehicles.
The typical brake service involves pads and/or rotors. However, many services skip replacing the brake fluid at this time—and that is a missed opportunity! Over time, brake fluid degrades and becomes contaminated with corrosion and water condensation. These conditions can cause a spongy brake pedal and gradual loss of brake function. Servicing the pads/rotors is also the perfect time to replace the brake fluid. Do it one time and do it correctly.
The Opportunity
Pair new rotors and/or pads with the BG Brake Service every time. Including all of it in one service maximizes the new rotors/pads and brake fluid. Servicing the brake fluid makes it a more valuable service for your customer, your service advisor, and your technician. You are offering your customers safety, value, and retention (with the Lifetime BG Protection Plan®).
The Solution
It is important to train service advisors to consistently check the brake fluid reservoir to ensure it is at the correct fill-line level and to test the fluid for contamination. These steps should be added to every service drive walk-around process and/or multi-point inspection program.
Another idea is to provide the BG Brake Stop Squeal® Service Kit, which consists of BG Stop Squeal®, PN 860, BG Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner, PN 403, or BG Brake & Parts Cleaner, PN PB05, and BG Brake Lube, PN 605BK. This kit will allow for precise inventory management, and by providing all the necessary products for a seamless brake service, shop efficiency and productivity will improve.
The New
The BG BFX Brake Fluid Exchanger is the latest and greatest from BG, and if you haven’t already, read more about it in this article.
There’s also another versatile tool that can help you make the most of a brake service. The BG Universal Spray Applicator offers a great alternative to aerosol brake cleaners with less waste! This tool allows an 11-oz. can of BG Brake and Parts Cleaner to be placed into the tool, pressurized with shop air, and sprayed just like an aerosol. The USA tool will spray the entire 11-oz. can with a single air charge, allowing for better inventory control of brake cleaners. Simple, effective, and profitable.
Key Takeaways
- Train service advisors with this mindset. Brake services are an opportunity to educate the vehicle owner about performing the service correctly and completely. When asking for the sale, train them to consistently recommend a brake service.
- Train the parts department that brake services must have hard parts, fluids, and consumables. When the parts department assigns hard parts to the repair order, they should look for the correct fluids and consumables kit.
- Train technicians that to do the brake service correctly, they need to have the hard parts, the fluids, the equipment, and now the kit.
- Keep vehicle owners safe and give the most effective service possible and that will create lifelong customers. This is what a true partner does. BG, Your Partner Beyond Products.™