Imagine driving down the road, putting your foot on the brakes to stop, and continuing to glide right on into traffic. Don't ever let this happen to you.
Not changing your brake pads is a major car maintenance mistake. They are vitally important to the safety of you and your passengers.
If you were to ask a mechanic, "How long do brake pads last normally?", they would tell you there's no straight answer for that. The average life of brake pads is usually stated by the manufacturer to be 25,000 to 65,000 miles, but that depends heavily on where and how you drive your car.
How Do You Know When It's Time to Change Your Brake Pads?
If there's no easy answer for "How long should brake pads last?", how do you know when to head to an auto repair shop?
We'll tell you what to look for to know when it's time to get new ones and let you in on a few key things you can do to keep you brake pads lasting as long as possible.
Signs of Brake Problems
There is one simple way to tell if your brake pads are going out. They will make an awful screeching noise as you're driving and when you brake.
This won't be the case for all cars, because some don't have a brake scraper or brake wear sensor, so be sure to check if your make and model has this feature.
Take a Peek
Another way to find out whether you need new brake pads or not is to physically examine them. Look through the spokes or put the car on a jack to spot where the pad touches the brake disc.
There should be at least 1/4 of an inch left of material on the brake pad. If you're seeing less than that, it's time to head to the auto shop.
How Long Do Brake Pads Last If You Keep Them Up?
There are some things that you can do as a driver to help your brake pads last as long as possible.
Drive on Flat Terrain When Possible
Obviously, if you live or work around a ton of hills, this might not be an option. If you have a choice, though, try and pick the flattest route to and from your destinations.
Don't Short Stop
Jamming on the brakes puts more wear and tear on your brake pads faster. You want to take your time coming to a stop, being gentle with the brakes.
Lower the Weight in Your Car
Avoid driving around with heavy cargo for longer than necessary.
Don't Wait Until It's Too Late
If you can tell your brake pads are going out, give us a call. We're happy to take a look and replace anything that needs it.
You can see how a lot of variables affect the average life of brakes. Next time someone asks you, "How long do brake pads last?" you'll know the real answer.
Few things are more frustrating than spending money on a vehicle repair only to have the problem recur. Rather than make two or three visits somewhere else, bring it to B&M Auto and get it diagnosed and fixed right the first time.
We use the most up-to-date technologies to diagnose and fix problems – even those pesky electronic system issues – the first time. Several area dealerships depend on B&M Auto to tackle their hard-to-diagnose problems with used vehicles that have been identified for resale.
Trust the repair shop your neighbors and the dealerships trust to diagnose and fix their vehicles!