Stop Safely on Any Road

Driving in the Pacific Northwest isn’t just about getting from point A to point B. Whether you’re descending into the valley, crossing the Megler Bridge, or winding your way down to Nehalem, your brakes are working overtime. Steep grades, long downhill stretches, and constant elevation changes put extra stress on your braking system—especially if it’s not in top shape.|

At PNW Automotive, we specialize in modern braking systems for European, Asian, Hybrid, and EVs, ensuring that no matter what you drive, you can stop confidently when it matters most.

Why living in our area is different then living elsewhere:

Astoria’s roads aren’t just wet—they’re hilly and demanding. If you’ve ever:

✔ Felt your brakes fade after a long downhill stretch
✔ Had to ride the brakes going into the valley
✔ Noticed shaking or grinding when stopping after a steep descent

…then you already know why good brakes aren’t just a luxury here—they’re a necessity.

Heat is the enemy of braking systems, and long downhill drives can cause brake pads to overheat, rotors to warp, and brake fluid to degrade faster. If you have a brake caliper that's frozen, you're even at risk of destroying your wheel bearing due to overheating if your brakes are sticking!  That’s why regular inspections and high-quality brake components matter.

We Know Modern Braking Systems Inside and Out

Today's vehicles aren’t just mechanical—they’re high-tech machines. At PNW Automotive, we don’t just do “basic” brake jobs. We’re trained to handle the complexities of EVs, hybrids, and high-performance braking systems found in European and Asian vehicles.

🔹 EV & Hybrid Braking Systems – These cars use regenerative braking, which means their brake pads often last longer, but their brake fluid and calipers need special attention due to lack of regular use.

🔹 European Vehicles (BMW, Audi, Mercedes, VW, Mini, Volvo, etc.) – Many come with electronic brake systems and require dealer-level diagnostic tools to properly service. We have the equipment and training to do it right.

🔹 Asian Vehicles (Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Nissan, Hyundai, etc.) – These often have advanced ABS and traction control systems that need precise calibration after a brake service. We handle it all.

If your mechanic isn’t up to speed on modern braking technology, they could be missing critical steps—leading to poor performance and even safety issues.

Our Brake Services: What We Do Best: At PNW Automotive, we take a comprehensive approach to brake maintenance because we know how crucial stopping power is on our local roads.

✔ Brake Inspections – We don’t just glance at your pads—we check your entire braking system for wear, leaks, and heat damage.
✔ High-Performance Brake Pads & Rotors – We always offer you the option to install top-tier components designed for steep descents and wet conditions.  If that's not on your agenda, we also always offer an aftermarket replacement option that won't affect your brake function.
✔ Brake Fluid Flush & Replacement – Worn-out brake fluid leads to spongy brakes and poor performance. We make sure yours is fresh, but that's not the only thing we do!  At PNW Automotive you know you're getting factory specific brake fluid in your vehicle, we're not just going to put a universal fluid in your Land Rover, Toyota, or BMW, we'll make sure you have Pentosin or OE for example.
✔ ABS & Traction Control Diagnostics – If your dashboard lights are on, we can diagnose and fix issues other shops might miss.
✔ EV & Hybrid Brake System Calibration – These systems need special attention, and we have the expertise to do it right.  Did you know our Master Technician's daily driver is a plug in hybrid?  He's not only an expert in repairing them, he knows what "feeling right" should really feel like.

Why Trust PNW Automotive?

Most shops can swap out brake pads, but not all mechanics understand the demands of PNW driving conditions or the complexity of modern braking systems, or the importance of using the right materials and the right fluids.  We do.

🔧 We specialize in advanced braking systems for EVs, hybrids, and European/Asian vehicles.
🛠 We use high-quality parts designed for steep roads, frequent stops, and wet conditions.
📍 We know local driving conditions—from the steep grades of Highway 26 to the winding roads of the coast.