How Often Should Car Brake Pads Be Replaced?
4 Answers
Here are the recommended times for replacing brake pads: 1. When the thickness of the brake pads wears down to less than 3mm, they should be replaced. The thickness of new brake pads is approximately 1cm, and when the wear reaches 3mm, replacement is necessary. 2. Some brake pads come with a groove, and when the wear reaches this groove, replacement is required. 3. Under normal circumstances, they should be checked every 5,000 kilometers, meaning they should be inspected during regular car maintenance. 4. If you hear a metal-on-metal grinding sound from the wheels, this indicates that the brake pads are completely worn out and must be replaced immediately. 5. Modern vehicles are equipped with warning systems; when the wear reaches a certain level, the dashboard will automatically alert you to replace the brake pads.
Having driven for so many years, there's really no fixed rule for when to replace brake pads. I remember checking my car at 40,000 kilometers, and the mechanic said there was about one-third thickness left but advised me to start paying attention. Later, with daily commutes stuck in city traffic and frequent braking, I replaced them at 52,000 kilometers. The most reliable method is to consider driving habits: those who often drive on highways can wait until 70,000 to 80,000 kilometers, while those frequently stuck in city traffic may need replacement at 30,000 to 40,000 kilometers. Brake pads must be replaced when they wear down to 3 millimeters; otherwise, failing to stop in an emergency could be troublesome. I make it a habit to have the mechanic measure the thickness during every maintenance check, which gives me peace of mind.
Actually, every car's maintenance manual provides reference values, typically suggesting brake pad replacement every 40,000 to 60,000 kilometers for regular family cars. But I find this number as unreliable as a phone's standby time—real-world usage varies significantly. Automatic transmission cars in city driving wear out fastest, especially in stop-and-go traffic with endless traffic lights; two months might wear them down as much as six months of normal use. If your car often carries a full load of passengers or cargo, the brake pads endure even greater pressure. My advice is to stick with regular inspections, especially before long trips. Those brake squeal detectors at repair shops are quite accurate—when the hissing turns sharp, it's time for replacement. After all, safety isn't something to gamble with.
Brake pad lifespan hinges on three critical metrics. The most direct indicator is wear thickness—new pads are 12mm thick and must be replaced immediately when worn down to 3mm. Next is mileage: gentle driving can extend them to 70,000km, while frequent hard braking may wear them out by 40,000km. Lastly, time plays a role as rubber components typically degrade and become brittle after about five years. A friend's car once developed surface cracks from prolonged inactivity. Though pricier, modern ceramic brake pads last 30% longer than metal ones, proving more cost-effective long-term. Remember to resurface the brake discs when replacing pads—uneven surfaces on new pads can compromise braking performance.
