How many kilometers should car brake pads be replaced?
3 Answers
Car brake pads are generally replaced every 50,000 kilometers. Whether the brake pads need replacement can be determined by their thickness, sound, and pedal feel: 1. Thickness: Normal brake pads have a thickness of about 10mm, and they should be replaced when the thickness is below 6mm; 2. Sound: If the car frequently makes abnormal noises during braking, it indicates severe wear of the brake pads, which also requires replacement; 3. Pedal feel: When the brake pads are severely worn, their braking force decreases, so symptoms of weakness will be noticeable when stepping on the brake, necessitating timely replacement. The brake pads should be inspected and maintained every 20,000 kilometers. During daily use, avoid sudden braking and stopping to prevent accelerated wear of the brake pads, and avoid water immersion to prevent corrosion of the brake pads.
Twenty years of driving experience taught me: never judge brake pads by mileage alone! City cars stuck in traffic may need replacement at 40,000 km, while highway cruisers can last 80,000 km. Driving habits matter most – frequent hard brakers wear them faster. Last week I checked a neighbor's car: 60,000 km with half pad left, while a ride-hailing car beside it was completely worn at 30,000 km. Pro tip: have mechanics inspect them with a flashlight during maintenance – replace when thickness drops to 3mm. If you wait until hearing metal grinding sounds, you're already damaging the rotors and facing hundreds in extra repairs.
After ten years in the repair shop, we've found that brake pad replacement varies greatly depending on the driver. Daily inspection is actually quite simple: find a flat road, accelerate to 60 km/h, then gently apply the brakes - if you feel pedal vibration or hear sharp noises, it's time for inspection. City commuter cars typically need replacement every 50,000-70,000 km, while performance cars might wear them out by 30,000 km. The most reliable method is to check every 5,000 km using your phone flashlight to look through the wheel rim gap - new brake pads are about 12mm thick, be alert when they're down to 5mm, and immediate replacement is mandatory at 3mm. We've seen too many drivers wait until the screeching sound appears, only to find their brake discs already grooved.
