How Many Kilometers Should Brake Pads Be Replaced for Family Cars?
2 Answers
Family car brake pads should be replaced every 40,000 to 60,000 kilometers. Brake pads are a crucial component in a car's braking system, determining the effectiveness of braking and, more importantly, ensuring travel safety. During vehicle use, brake pads inevitably wear out due to braking. Therefore, it's essential to develop a habit of regular inspection and timely maintenance in daily car care. Under normal driving conditions, brake pads should be inspected approximately every 5,000 kilometers. This inspection should not only check the remaining thickness but also assess the wear condition of the brake pads, whether the wear is even on both sides, and if the retraction is normal. Any abnormal findings must be addressed immediately.
Having driven family cars for over a decade, there's no fixed mileage for brake pad replacement. Generally, manuals suggest 30,000 to 70,000 kilometers is about right, but it really depends on your driving habits. If you're often stuck in city traffic with constant stop-and-go, you'll use brakes more frequently, and they might wear thin by 30,000 km. If you do mostly highway driving, they could last up to 70,000 km. My old Ford started squeaking at 40,000 km—that was the wear indicator signaling it was time for a change. Delaying replacement can lead to poor braking performance; I even felt unstable going uphill. For safety, have the mechanic measure brake pad thickness during every service—replace them if they're under 3 mm. Don't wait for an accident to remind you. New cars might go longer before the first replacement due to better materials, but used or high-mileage vehicles need more frequent checks. Remember, metal-on-metal sounds or slower deceleration when braking are clear warnings—don't ignore them.
