How many kilometers do brake pads need to be replaced?
3 Answers
Brake pads generally need to be replaced every 30,000 to 50,000 kilometers. The driving conditions of each vehicle and the driving habits of each driver will affect the service life of the brake pads. The thickness of new brake pads is usually about 1.5cm. As they wear down through daily friction, when the thickness of the brake pads is only about 1/3 of the new ones, the frequency of inspection should be increased, and new brake pads should be prepared for replacement at any time. There are small raised indicators on both sides of the brake pads. When the brake pads are level with these indicators (2-3mm), it means they have reached their limit and must be replaced. Method for replacing brake pads: Gather all the necessary tools and parts, loosen the wheel bolts by half a turn, but there is no need to completely remove them. Use a jack to lift one side of the vehicle at the designated lifting point. The vehicle only needs to be lifted until the wheel that requires brake pad replacement is slightly off the ground. Then, all the wheel bolts can be unscrewed and the wheel can be removed. Place the removed wheel under the brake disc to prevent the vehicle from falling in case the hydraulic jack loses pressure, which could cause injuries. To replace the brake pads, only the two bolts securing the brake caliper need to be removed. After loosening these two bolts, the brake caliper can be taken off. Since the brake caliper is connected to flexible hydraulic lines, be careful not to pull too hard; simply rest it on the nearby front axle suspension. Next, grind the brake pads to create a chamfer on the edge that contacts the brake disc. When replacing both the brake pads and the brake disc at the same time, there is no need to grind the chamfer; they can be installed directly.
The replacement interval for brake pads really shouldn't be determined solely by mileage. My car, which has been running for over 5 years, is a perfect example. During the last maintenance check, the mechanic measured with calipers and found the front wheels had only 3mm left while the rear wheels still had 5mm, even though I've only driven a little over 60,000 kilometers. Why such a big difference? My daily commute often involves traffic jams with frequent braking, which wears them out faster, while highway driving on weekends causes less wear. I recommend having the thickness checked during every maintenance service, especially for drivers who frequently take mountain roads where hard braking is common. A colleague of mine with the same car model drives gently in the city and didn't need replacement until 80,000 kilometers. And remember, when replacing, don't just focus on the front wheels - the rear ones are equally important!
Don't blindly believe those claims about replacing brake pads at fixed mileage intervals—the key is to check actual wear. Last week, I accompanied a friend to the repair shop where his car's front brakes were replaced at just 30,000 km due to frequent driving on dusty construction sites that accelerated wear. My hybrid, which relies more on regenerative braking, hasn't needed new pads even after 90,000 km. Here are two DIY inspection methods: listen for metallic scraping sounds when lightly braking at low speeds (that's the wear indicator), or check pad thickness through the wheel spokes when turning—replace if it's too thin. A special reminder for modification enthusiasts: upgrading to larger wheels increases brake system load, so inspect more frequently.
