The times when you need to have your brake pads replaced can vary, which is why we are going to discuss the different times below so you have this knowledge. The good news is that Clark’s Car Care can change your brake pads when they need it. Signs that they need to be changed include grinding or squealing brakes, and an illuminated brake pad wear light on your dashboard or vibrating or scraping when you slow down and stop. Let’s talk about when you need to get your brake pads changed.
Every 30,000 Miles
Every 30,000 miles is a general mileage duration for how long yours may last. Depending on how hard you brake, you may need to have the brake pads changed earlier than this, such as at 20,000 miles. If you go easy on your brakes, you may be able to wait until 60,000 miles to have yours changed. Your brake pad surface will wear down differently depending on how much you drive your automobile, how you drive your automobile, and how often you use the brakes.
Once Their Depth is 1/4-Inch
The bottom line is that the brake pads must be changed once they reach a depth of one-quarter-of-an-inch. This is the depth at which there isn’t that much surface left, and if you keep using your brakes without changing the pads, you’ll end up grinding the metal surface of the backings against your brake system rotors. This is what causes the grinding and scraping sounds discussed above, and you can damage your rotors if you brake continuously this way.
When Your Vehicle’s Manufacturer Recommends It
One way to tell when the brake pads need to be changed on your specific vehicle is to take a look at your owner’s manual to see if your vehicle manufacturer gives a specific recommendation. You’ll find this information in the service portion of the owner’s manual. Look for the brake section in this chapter to see the recommendations for brake services, including brake pads and fluid flushes and refills.
Regular Brake Inspections Help
Finally, regular brake inspections allow us to measure the depth of your pads so we cannot only tell you approximately how much life each pad has left but also when the perfect time is to change them. Generally, brake inspections are recommended every 12,000 miles, but if you are not hard on your brakes, you may be able to extend that mileage duration to every 15,000 miles.
Give us a call here at Clark’s Car Care in Naperville, IL, to schedule a brake inspection if you suspect your surface is too low.