The brake system is one of the most critical components of your vehicle’s safety. At Eric’s Automotive in Stoney Creek, ON we understand the importance of maintaining your brakes to ensure they perform optimally. One key part of brake maintenance is changing your brake fluid. This page will explain why regular brake fluid changes are essential and what to expect during the process.
Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid that helps your brake system work effectively. It transfers force from the brake pedal to the brake components, allowing your vehicle to stop when you need it to. However, it’s essential to remember that brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air over time. This moisture can lead to problems in your brake system, including a lower boiling point and decreased performance.
The brake system operates using hydraulic principles. When you press the brake pedal, the master cylinder pushes brake fluid through the brake lines. This action causes the brake pads to clamp onto the brake rotors, creating the friction needed to slow down or stop the vehicle.
If the brake fluid level is low or contaminated, it can affect how well this system works. Contaminated brake fluid can lead to soft brake pedals and less responsive braking, which can be dangerous.
It’s recommended that you replace your brake fluid every two years to keep your brake system functioning properly. However, there are signs that may indicate it’s time for a brake fluid change sooner. If you notice that your brake pedal feels spongy or sinks to the floor, or if you see a warning light on your dashboard indicating a problem with the brake fluid level, it’s essential to have your fluid checked.
Another sign to look for is the colour of the brake fluid in the reservoir. Fresh brake fluid is usually clear or slightly yellowish. If it appears dark or contaminated, it’s a good idea to replace it. Contaminated brake fluid can absorb a lot of heat, which may lead to brake fade—a situation where the brakes lose their effectiveness due to overheating.
At Eric’s Automotive in Stoney Creek, ON, we follow a thorough process for changing your brake fluid. Here’s what you can expect during a brake fluid change:
Regularly changing your brake fluid is vital to the health and performance of your brake system. At Eric’s Automotive in Stoney Creek, ON, we are dedicated to ensuring your vehicle’s brakes perform at their best. If it’s time to replace your brake fluid or if you have any concerns about your brake system, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our experienced technicians are here to help you stay safe on the road.
Great experience as always and excellent work on the repairs needed today. You can always trust Eric's for honest advice and support.
Loretta Jaunzarins Nov 11, 2025
Got my car in quickly and the detailed report was very well done.
paul farrauto Nov 11, 2025
I would highly recommend Eric’s Automotive for any service big or small. The staff are friendly, polite and very accommodating. I really appreciated the shuttle service to my home and then being picked up when my car was ready. I will definitely use their service again!
Sal Alfano Apr 4, 2024
I first became a customer at their old location and have followed them to their new location. They answer any and all questions openly and transparently - nothing sketchy here and fantastic customer service. They are also extremely well organized and clearly value their customers and their brand.
Chelsea Beckerton Nov 11, 2025
I was a little concerned when I found out It's not really Whitwell's anymore and Jamie is no longer there but I was very pleasantly surprised. The service was great and detailed. More importantly they found a noise that was elusive that was driving me crazy and no one else could find it including another garage that said it was our shocks, replaced them and the noise was still there. Eric's has our business from now on!
Brian Melnike Oct 10, 2025
Eric’s Automotive has great customer care, they are efficient yet thorough, do honest work and cost-effective. I recommend this auto-shop :-)
S Sharp Oct 10, 2025
My workplace brings their vehicle here, so I thought I’d give them a go. I was impressed. They include pictures of the parts in your car that need fixing, as well as animations that teach you about what these parts do. I’ve learned more about cars by bringing mine here than I have when people tried explaining things to me. Really cool. Staff is also helpful, polite and patient.
Ana Cunha Sep 9, 2025
Wow! Excellent service. Very friendly. Quick and easy service. Nice little extras to show they care like a little gift bag in the car at pick up and they vacuum and wiped down inside the car free of charge! Would definitely recommend. Needed a safety certificate and they were fare priced.
Laura I Sep 9, 2025
Amazing customer service. It can feel a little daunting taking my car in but Korey walked me through everything, my cars inspection was well documented, everything was thoroughly explained to me. Will definitely bring my car back for service in the future!
Rebekah Short Jul 7, 2025
The staff was friendly and professional. The systems in place provide a thorough evaluation of your vehicle’s needs and allows you to make an informed decision. The work was done in a timely manner and on budget with the estimate. I was extremely impressed with the service provided and will be back.
Thomas Shears Jul 7, 2025
My family seriously appreciates the attention, cleanliness, knowledge and professionalism Eric's Automotive offers to the community. Thank you for being an asset to our car loving family. We will forever work with your business - Brennan W
HAMILTON VINYL Jul 7, 2025
First time visit to this business. Needed work on AC unit in my car. Let me say this, they are polite, professional, and courteous. This is how a business should run. I felt valued and respected. Complementary car clean, photos taken of car and recommendations. No pressure. Their service is top shelf and would definitely recommend and go back.
Josh Mamer Jul 7, 2025
Eric’s Automotive was so helpful in a pinch. They were able to take my car in sooner than expected, and everything has been working perfectly since. Thank you to Korey for helping me out, and making this a seamless process. I would recommend their services.
Alexandra Piccolo Jul 7, 2025
I am very happy with this Auto shop! Korey at the front desk is very welcoming and kind! All the guys in the shop know what they are doing! Thank you for such great service!
The After Glow Jul 7, 2025
Hands down the best place to take your vehicle for service. Excellent communication, questions are encouraged, overall great service to the customer. Very welcoming environment.
Matthew Jun 6, 2025
Had a great experience at Eric's. Broke a rear wheel spring. They did a diagnostic on my car fixed the issue gave me a detailed report of potential things to watch for going forward. Spent time and listened to my concerns and answered and explained things to me. Serviced and cleaned my car after repair was done. Shuttle service very convenient as well. Would highly recommend them. 😊
Lysa Springer Jun 6, 2025
So glad I found Erics automotive. Honest, transparent & quality work. Also helps that everyone I’ve encountered is super personable and maybe even a little funny… (🙃) They provide a comprehensive digital report of your vehicle (excellent for us non-car buffs) as well as a courtesy shuttle if needed. If you’re nice they might even clean the inside of your car. Kidding, they offer this to all customers. I had a 2012 automatic VW that showed no codes but would stall while stopped and while driving. (Super fun!) Typical car acted just fine when initially inspected. Eric asked if he could take the car home to allow him to drive the car further in hopes the issue would arise for him. YES, please take it and I hope it stalls. It did and they diagnosed and fixed her up quickly for me. Thanks guys, now you’re stuck with me!
C Watson Jun 6, 2025
Corey was very professional and kind in helping me assess the condition of a recently purchased a vehicle. The report Eric’s automotive supplied was impeccable and very persuasive. Thank you!
Laurie Kallis Jun 6, 2025
"Erics Automotive" is FIRST CLASS all the way!! It is so refreshing to have Erics crew work on my car. First rate, polite, and professional mechanics. No squawking intercom or radio blaring.They even give the interior a wipe down and vacuum the carpets! Very few garages (if any) offer this high level of service and skill.. ***** Sincerely H.D. Bates, Hamilton.
Howard Bates May 5, 2025
Last Friday, I had my car serviced at Eric’s Automotive — as always, the service was excellent! They were open and honest about what work needed to be done right away and what could wait. The process was quick and efficient, and they even included an Uber ride from home to pick up the car. Wow — that’s above and beyond! Julia
Julia Kovalenko Aug 8, 2022
Great job and the people are great
Jon Millington Mar 3, 2025
My go-to for many years now. Always a positive experience with the team at Eric's. Great service, honest assessments and detailed reports. Zero complaints.
James van der Woerd May 5, 2025
My nightmare car issues started several months ago. The whole experience made me learn more about cars I’ve ever had to learn in life. Eric’s Automotive was the sixth mechanic I brought my car to because the other five mechanic (including VW dealership), could not fully figure out the issues of cold engine stalling, misfiring, and engine flooding. Five other parts, and multiple repairs/inspections were done on my vehicle at an attempt to fix my misfiring in two cylinder’s, but each time the engine light and same codes would come back. Already spent close to 2 grand before I went to Eric’s. Most of those mechanics worked on my vehicle, or inspect it, only to tell me they didn’t provide specific services needed for Volkswagen vehicles such as GDI repairs, or carbon cleaning. It makes no sense to me why many mechanics today don’t have the knowledge or technological skills, and or just the modern tech needed to diagnose newer vehicles. I’d appreciate it more if they turned me away if they didn’t have the ability to fully work on my vehicle in the first place, instead of guessing. I wish I had found Eric’s automotive first, and despite them missing the problem in their initial inspection, and the problem persisting after the carbon cleaning; they were quickly able to pin point the issue, and put in their own parts in my vehicle to confirm, prior to ordering and replacing expensive parts. The carbon cleaning was on the expensive side, along with all four injectors and pump being replaced, the total was just shy of $5k, with three weeks of work. My vehicle runs 90% better than it was before! They did inform me of all the other work needed that I can’t afford just yet, that should bring my car back to running perfectly once I get that completed at a later date. The last mechanic prior literally gave up on my car and told me it wasn’t sounding too good and to sell it. I’m grateful for all the hard work Eric, Corey, and the team did for not giving up on my vehicle! If it wasn’t for their dedication, I wouldn’t have a vehicle to care for my disabled daughter. May God Bless everyone who works there. 🙏♥️
Mandy May 5, 2025
Amazing customer service, they were transparent, explained my options to me, and at no point pressured me to take a specific choice over another. Highly recommend them for their honesty alone.
Shalom Tzvi Shore Apr 4, 2025
Got my car serviced here. Friendly staff, great price and overall excellent dealing with this shop. Thanks Eric + Team.
Noah Hoeflaak Apr 4, 2025
Fantastic customer service, extremely skilled mechanics. They keep my new Lexus running top notch. These guys can work on any make, or model.
Andrew Simopoulos Apr 4, 2025
Recently left my Jetta TDI at this location. Very welcoming, and very friendly. They keep you informed about everything that is being worked on and any details that require change or your approval. Thanks again!!
A. K. Apr 4, 2025
When I was in a really tough spot, Eric's squeezed me in on short notice and went above-and-beyond to provide excellent service. Such a kind bunch of dudes. Responsive, transparent and trustworthy. 10+ stars
Lara Stewart-Panko Apr 4, 2025
Eric’s Automotive is great, they got my car in within a couple days of calling them, their prices were more than competitive, they have a shuttle service so you’re not stuck having to take an uber or the bus after dropping your car off, and they even detailed my car after doing the work on it. I will be going back again.
Sam Rumleski Mar 3, 2025
I took my 2008 BMW 323i to Eric's Automive for an orange check engine light, which would stall my car while driving. It turned out to be a sparkplug and coil issue. In all my years having my car serviced, they would fix what I came in for, and I'd be on my way. Well, not so at Eric's Auto. (A real gem) They pointed out current problems and other serious issues (supported by photos) I was not even aware of. Eric's Automive fixed everything. My car drives like it's new. It's a great feeling. Everything they did is under warranty. I finally found my auto machenics shop I can trust. Great place. Try them yourself, and you'll see.🇨🇦
Anthony Smart Mar 3, 2025
Great service by nice, professional staff. Received a fair price for my Mercedes service. Thank you...
Tito Hafez Mar 3, 2025
So professional and so good and explaining and answering questions for people like me who know nothing about cars. Very friendly and understanding and couldn’t say enough good things about their customer service. One of their technicians made a mistake once and they made it right quickly and helped us out on a few other repairs to make it right.
Charlotte Ross Feb 2, 2025
Erics automotive serviced two of our vehicles and we are really happy with how they conduct their business. They are readily available to answer calls and emails and they are easy to work with. Their prices are competitive and their service definitely exceeds expectations. They have well kept and clean sitting area and are always generous with their services.
Hamilton Drywall Feb 2, 2025
Incredible team! Very trustworthy, knowledgeable, and kind. They take great care of cars and customers. Highly recommend!
Emese Graham Jan 1, 2025
Came in for a pre purchase inspection for a used vehicle. Had me in and out in about a hour with a thorough and detailed review sent straight to my phone. Very courteous and professional team. Would definitely do business in the future again.
Daniel Napier Jan 1, 2025
Eric's is almost 30min from our house but it's worth the trip. I'm over the moon with the service we got there. Responded extremely quickly when I reached out and did amazing work to fix a problem that's been plaguing our car for a while. They were very thorough and the price was more than fair. Lots of nice added touches too 😊.
Margaret Boyce Jan 1, 2025
Amazing staff and great service.
Barb Adams Dec 12, 2024
I would trust my daughter going here to get her car serviced. That’s the biggest compliment a mechanic garage can get!!! The guys here are great, professional, reliable, trustworthy, and have great communication. Thank you Korey and team!
Kara Branton Dec 12, 2024
Excellent experience. They are a step above any other other place I ever gone to. If you want peace of mind they are the place to go. Most professional place in Hamilton for me.
Tony G Dec 12, 2024
They provide excellent service and quality of work!
Euan Zhang Dec 12, 2024
I recently had my Mercedes serviced, and I am beyond impressed with the level of care and professionalism provided. From start to finish, the experience was top-notch. The staff was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I was particularly impressed by how thorough the inspection was. They took the time to check everything, from the engine to the brakes, ensuring that my car was in perfect condition. It's clear they specialize in high-end vehicles and they know how to treat them with the care they deserve. I highly recommend this place!
June K Dec 12, 2024
Definitely recommend this team. They were extremely busy with a packed schedule, but they made the time to get the heating of my car fixed smoothly and efficiently. The team gave a comprehensive explanation of the situation as well as made clear recommendations. No up-selling here. An amazing bunch of people. I would definitely recommend them if you are in Hamilton or the surrounding areas and need your car issues handled professionally and smoothly. PS: the pricing is very reasonable and they also provide a complete breakdown of the cost involved.
JJ M Dec 12, 2024