How often should brake pads be replaced for private cars?
2 Answers
The lifespan of brake pads is difficult to define with a specific mileage or time. Brake pads need to be replaced under the following circumstances: 1. Check the thickness: Normally, a brand-new set of brake pads is about 1.5cm thick. When the visible thickness is less than 0.5cm, it's time to prepare for replacement. Each brake pad also has a raised indicator on both sides, which is about 2-3mm thick—this is the minimum replacement limit for the brake disc. If the brake pad thickness is level with this indicator, it must be replaced immediately. 2. Listen for sounds: If you hear a metallic scraping or hissing sound when lightly applying the brakes, the brake pads must be replaced immediately. This indicates that the limit indicators on both sides of the brake pads are directly grinding against the brake disc, meaning the pads have exceeded their limit. 3. Feel the resistance: If you notice that braking requires more effort, feels softer than usual, or requires deeper pedal travel to achieve the same braking effect, and if the pedal position feels noticeably lower during emergency braking, it's likely that the brake pads have lost most of their friction. In this case, they must be replaced immediately to avoid serious accidents.
I've been driving for over ten years and have replaced no less than five sets of brake pads. There's no fixed time for this, it mainly depends on your driving habits and road conditions. My colleague commutes daily in city traffic and has to replace them every 30,000 kilometers; I mostly drive on highways and can usually make it past 60,000 kilometers. Remember to have the mechanic measure the thickness during maintenance - if it's below 3mm, replacement is mandatory. Once my brakes started squeaking, and when I checked, they were nearly worn out - it almost caused an accident. Now I make it a habit to check the brake discs before every long trip, after all, life is more important than anything. Also, tire wear can indirectly reflect brake issues, so remember to keep an eye on that too.
