How long can brake pads last with 2mm thickness?
3 Answers
Brake pads with 2mm thickness are already at their limit, and it is recommended not to drive. For safety reasons, new brake pads should be replaced immediately. Below are specific methods for checking and maintaining brake pads: 1. Under normal driving conditions, inspect the brake pads every 5,000 kilometers. Check not only the remaining thickness but also the wear condition of the pads, whether both sides are wearing evenly, and whether they retract smoothly. Any abnormal conditions must be addressed immediately. 2. Brake pads generally consist of two parts: an iron backing plate and friction material. Do not wait until the friction material is completely worn out before replacing the pads. 3. When replacing, use the original manufacturer-provided brake pads to ensure the best braking performance and minimal wear between the pads and the brake disc. 4. When replacing the pads, always use specialized tools to retract the brake caliper piston. Do not force it back with other pry bars, as this can bend the caliper guide screws and cause the brake pads to seize. 5. After replacement, pump the brakes several times to eliminate the gap between the pads and the brake disc. Failure to do so may result in no braking on the first press, which can lead to accidents. 6. After replacing the brake pads, a break-in period of 200 kilometers is required to achieve optimal braking performance. Drive cautiously during this period.
I have quite some experience with brake pads worn down to 2mm. Generally, new brake pads are 10-12mm thick, and replacement should be considered when they reach about 3mm. At 2mm, they're extremely thin and might last anywhere from 500 to 2,000 kilometers, but this entirely depends on driving habits. If you mostly drive in the city with frequent stops in traffic, they'll wear out faster. On highways with smoother driving and fewer brakes, they may last longer. However, I must warn you that continuing to drive poses significant risks: longer braking distances, increased chance of overheating and failure, and potential damage to the brake rotators which would lead to higher repair costs. Having personally dealt with several similar cases, I strongly recommend scheduling an inspection and replacement immediately—don't wait for an accident to happen. Regularly checking your brake system is a good practice; inspect the thickness every six months or so to ensure safe travels.
Seeing the brake pads down to just 2mm immediately raised safety concerns in my mind. I always pay attention to this when driving my own car. The normal replacement point is at 3 to 4mm, and now that they're this thin, you might manage to drive for a while, but not for long. How far you can actually go varies from person to person: in city driving with frequent traffic jams and more braking, problems might arise within 1,000 kilometers; in suburban areas or on long-distance trips with better road conditions and less braking, you might stretch it to about 1,500 kilometers. The risks of not replacing them are significant—if you encounter an emergency, the braking might not be effective, leading to serious consequences. The last time I faced this, after delaying for a few days, I clearly felt the brakes were weak and hurried to the repair shop to get new pads. I'd advise you not to take the risk and to deal with it as soon as possible. Developing the habit of checking them during every maintenance session will give you greater peace of mind.
