Brakes for Breasts at Wayside Garage: Free Brake Pads Supporting Breast Cancer Research

October is here, and Wayside Garage is proud to enter our 11th year participating in the nationwide Brakes for Breasts campaign!

Drivers across Seaside, Monterey, Marina, and the Peninsula can take care of their vehicle's stopping power while directly helping to fund life-saving cancer vaccine research.



Below, Stacey breaks down how the fundraiser works, what you receive, and why our coastal climate makes October an ideal time to have your brakes evaluated.

1. How the Brakes for Breasts Campaign Works

Throughout the entire month of October, Wayside Garage joins independent automotive repair shops across the nation to offer an honest, impactful deal:

• Free Brake Pads or Shoes: You receive one free set of replacement brake pads or shoes for your vehicle.

• Your Investment: You cover only the labor and any companion parts or machining needed (such as rotors, calipers, or hardware).

• The 10% Direct Donation: Wayside Garage donates 10% of that total brake repair ticket directly toward breast cancer research!

100% Goes Directly to Research (Zero Admin Fees)

Unlike many charitable campaigns, 100% of our donation goes straight to the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Research Fund. There are no marketing cuts, administrative fees, or corporate markups taken out—every cent helps scientists develop and test preventative vaccine therapies.

2. The Monterey Peninsula Coastal Factor: Why Local Brakes Suffer

Living and driving along the coast brings specific wear factors that inland vehicles rarely face:

• Morning Coastal Fog & Salt Air: Heavy marine layers deposit moisture and airborne salt directly onto bare metal brake rotors overnight. This forms surface oxidation (flash rust) that can lead to morning squeaks, pad etching, and accelerated wear.

• Sticking Caliper Pins: Damp coastal salt air degrades grease on caliper slider pins over time, which can cause calipers to bind and drag a pad unevenly against the rotor.

• Stop-and-Go Highway 1 Commuting: Slowdowns on Highway 1, climbing hill grades, and frequent traffic stops put heavy thermal demands on friction surfaces.

3. Warning Signs Your Brakes Need an Inspection

If you experience any of these common symptoms while braking, bring your car in for a look before small issues cause rotor damage:

• High-Pitched Squealing: Wear indicators making contact to let you know the pad material is thin.

• Grinding Metal Sounds: Brake pad lining is completely exhausted, causing backing plates to score the rotor faces.

• Pulsation or Shaking: A vibrating brake pedal or steering wheel shudder while slowing down from highway speeds.

• Spongy Pedal Travel: Moisture or air trapped in hydraulic brake fluid lines reducing pedal firmness.

4. Digital Vehicle Inspections: Complete Transparency

At Wayside Garage, we pair every service with a comprehensive Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI).

Our technicians document inner and outer pad thickness in millimeters, inspect rotor surfaces, check brake fluid moisture content, and send photos and videos directly to your phone. You see what we see, allowing you to plan upcoming repairs with zero high-pressure sales tactics.

Schedule Your October Brake Service in Seaside

Take advantage of free brake pads this October and partner with us in the fight against breast cancer!

• Phone: (831) 899-2425

• Online Booking: waysidegarage.com

Visit Us at Either Seaside Facility:

• Main Shop: 2003 Del Monte Blvd, Seaside, CA 93955



• EV & Service Facility: 1020 Ord Grove Ave, Seaside, CA 93955