When Do I Need New Brake Pads?

Whether you drive a Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Honda or any other car make, brake pads are by far one of the most important things to keep a look out for on your car. If they begin to wear or there is an issue with them, it is best to not use your car until you have them replaced.

Below we are going to be focussing in on the importance of brake pads and what to look out for when they need to be replaced, so let’s jump right in.

What Are Brake Pads?

How many brake pads your car has fitted depends on your make and model, although typically your car will either have 4 or 8 brake pads. Ultimately, the brake pads are what slow down your car and bring it to a stop.

After stepping on the brake pedal, brake fluid is sent towards your brake calipers which press your brake pads against the “brake rotors”. How hard they are pressed against depends on how hard you put your foot down.

As you may guess, the harder your brake pads are pressed against the brake rotors, the more that the brake pads wear away.

Overall, brake pads are one of the main components which slow down your car once you’ve put your foot on the brake pedal.

The Importance of Brake Pads

If your brake pads have worn or are damaged, it’s very important that you get them replaced before you take to the roads.

If your braking system isn’t in good working condition, there are two things to keep in mind:

• You are putting your life, your passengers and others on the road at risk. It’s very unsafe for you to take to the roads when your brake pads aren’t up to par and by doing so, you are putting a lot on the line.
• You may cause damage to your car. Of course, this isn’t as important as the reason above, but without serviceable brake pads in place to help you stop, you may crash your car or cause expensive damage to other components.

Simply put, it’s dangerous.

Common Signs of Needing to Replace Your Brakes

Below are some of the most common signs that indicate your brake pads should be replaced.

• Do They Look Worn? One for the DIY readers, simply take a look at both your front and rear brakes and determine whether or not they look worn. If the friction material has worn down excessively, get them replaced.
• Squealing Noise. If you hear a squealing or screeching noise when you push your foot onto your brake pedal, this is a sign that your brake pads are almost worn out and that they need to be replaced. Many auto manufacturers fit metal wear indicators to the backing plate of the brake pads, this makes contact with the brake rotor, alerting you that your brake pads require changing.
• Vibrating Brake Pedal. Another common sign of your brakes needing replacing is a vibration through the brake pedal or steering wheel when slowing down. There are two reasons for this occurring. First, this may be caused due to worn out brake pads. Second, it could be due to a warped or excessively worn brake rotor.
• Uneven Wearing. When your brake pads begin to wear, if they wear unevenly your car will begin to pull to one side. Although this can also indicate that there is an issue with your cars suspension, it is more commonly found to be an issue with brake pads wearing.

The Cost of Brake Pads

Brake pads aren’t the most expensive car part, but they aren’t the cheapest, the cost of new brake pads is dependent on your car.

While replacing the brake pads your mechanic may notice that components such as the brake rotors are damaged or worn and will recommend that you have them replaced too.

On top of suggesting further replacements to your car, one of the things which the mechanic may discuss with you is brake fluid replacement.

Brake Fluid Changing

This is something which is very commonly overlooked by car owners. Every time that you step on the brake pedal, some brake fluid is released and because of that, it is very easy for the fluid to become contaminated by other fluids. This can not only lead to particle erosion, but it can make your braking less efficient.

Brake Bleeding

Another thing to keep in mind when looking at your brakes is brake bleeding. If you have ever bled a radiator in your home, then it’s worth noting that this is the same idea. Similarly, if air has found its way into your cars brake system, you must drain the air out of the brake system.

Brake fluid is a silicone based fluid that also absorbs moisture out of the air. Over time, this will reduce the boiling point of the fluid, and reduce the effectiveness of the braking system. It is recommended to have your brake fluid changed every 2 years to ensure safe operation.

You are able to bleed your brakes on your own, watch our How To video HERE

Time to Replace Your Brake Pads?

If you take care of your brakes, they’ll take care of you and ensure your safety while you’re on the road.

Your brakes are vital to your cars functionality as well as your road safety, so it’s important that you check on them regularly to make sure that nothing is faulty with them, replace your brake fluid at regular intervals to prevent any issues, and if it is time for new brakes:

• Visit your local Supercheap Auto store or enter your vehicle details online in My Garage to see the correct part number and pricing
• Want to know how to replace them yourself? Click HERE

Or, book a trusted mechanic through Supercheap Auto Services – get free quotes today HERE