When Do You Need to Replace Brake Pads?
3 Answers
Replacement of brake pads is required under the following circumstances: 1. Listen to the car's sound when braking: Once the owner hears the friction between iron and wire when lightly pressing the brake, the car's brake pads need to be replaced. If the brake pads are not replaced in time, it is easy to cause a traffic accident due to brake failure. 2. Check the thickness of the brake pads: Because the brake pads have a certain thickness, when we use the brakes, the thickness of the brake pads will become thinner. The thickness of new brake pads is generally 15 millimeters. If the thickness of the brake pads is only one-third, in other words, 5 millimeters, then there is no doubt that the brake pads need to be replaced. In addition, since the brake pads and brake discs are in a relative friction relationship, when the brake pads are severely worn, we should also promptly check whether the brake discs are also severely worn. 3. Rely on the feeling of your braking foot: Because after using the brake pads for a long time, the owner will feel that the car's response is very slow after stepping on the brake system, and the force of stepping on the brake is relatively light. This is because the brake pads become thinner after prolonged use. At this time, the brake pads must be replaced in time.
I've been driving for over twenty years, and every time I hear a squeaking sound when braking, I worry that the brake pads are about to fail. Usually, by this point, the wear is already quite severe. If I continue to delay replacement, the braking distance may significantly increase or even fail, especially in rainy or snowy conditions, which is particularly dangerous. I make it a habit to get a free inspection at the auto shop every 10,000 kilometers, where the technician uses tools to measure the thickness. When the car was new, the brake pads could last over 50,000 kilometers, but frequent mountain driving or sudden braking can cause them to wear out sooner. For safety, I don't wait until they're completely worn out to replace them, as that could damage the brake discs, making repairs more expensive. Driving smoothly and avoiding sudden braking can help extend their lifespan.
As a commuter who drives an hour every day, I can directly feel when there's a problem with the brakes—if they feel spongy or make screeching noises, it's time to replace the brake pads. Last week on the highway, the slow brake response almost caused a rear-end collision, which scared me into immediately taking the car to the shop. Generally, noticeable wear occurs around 30,000 kilometers, but if driving habits are aggressive, like frequent hard braking, wear happens faster. I refer to the vehicle manual's recommended replacement intervals and occasionally check myself—if the thickness is less than 4 millimeters, I take action. After installing new pads, it's important to break them in to avoid strange noises, otherwise, comfort is affected. Remember to choose OEM parts or reliable brands for a good balance of cost-effectiveness and safety.
