How many kilometers should brake pads be replaced?
2 Answers
Brake pads should be replaced every 30,000 to 60,000 kilometers. Brake pads, also known as brake linings, are critical safety components in a car's braking system. The effectiveness of all braking performance is decisively determined by the brake pads. Brake pads are generally composed of a steel plate, an adhesive heat insulation layer, and a friction block. The steel plate is coated to prevent rust, and the coating process is monitored using an SMT4 furnace temperature tracker to ensure the temperature distribution during the coating process meets quality standards. The heat insulation layer is made of non-heat-conductive materials to provide thermal insulation. The friction block consists of friction materials and adhesives, which are pressed against the brake disc or drum during braking to generate friction, thereby achieving the purpose of slowing down or stopping the vehicle.
I've been driving for twenty years, and there's no fixed mileage for brake pad replacement—it mainly depends on driving habits and road conditions. In city traffic with frequent braking due to congestion, they wear out faster, needing replacement every 30,000 to 40,000 kilometers. If you drive mostly on highways with less braking, they can last up to 70,000 kilometers. The key is regular wear checks—I visually inspect the brake pad thickness monthly. The standard is to replace them if they're thinner than 3mm or if the wear indicator makes a metal-on-metal sound. Replacing them too late affects braking performance, increases stopping distance, and becomes extremely dangerous in rain or emergencies. During maintenance, it's best to have a technician measure the thickness with professional tools. Opt for reputable brand brake pads for better durability—don’t cut corners to save small costs and risk bigger problems.
