When driving a car, brakes are essential for stopping it when you need to. If car brakes aren’t working properly, then this poses a serious risk to both the driver and other road users. It is therefore important to know how often brakes need replacing.
Brakes are complex systems with many moving parts. As such, there are many different factors that can affect the performance of a car’s brakes. You don’t tend to give much thought to the car brakes until you need them. Whether that be when driving on the road or parking somewhere without extensive visibility. When this happens, you’ll often find out rather quickly just how strong the car’s braking capabilities really are. This is because cars almost invariably require brake replacement every 250,000 miles as standard practice on most vehicles manufactured today.
When Do Brakes Need to Be Replaced?
The short answer to this question is that: Expect to have to change your brake pads and rotors every 50,000 to 100,000 miles depending on various different factors.
The average life span of a set of pads is around 50,000 km. While rotors can last anywhere between 120,000 and 160,000 km. Brake drums, on the other hand, are much more durable and their life span is anywhere between 120,000 and 160,000 km. You should also remember that the more frequently you drive, the sooner you’ll have to replace your brakes.
Your car will also let you know when your brake pads are getting low on material and need replacing. This is because many modern car models have a warning system that lets you know when your brake pads are below a certain thickness. You’ll usually be able to reset this warning system yourself if it comes up, but it’s best to get it checked out by a mechanic ASAP.
When Should You Replace Your Brake Pads?
As we mentioned above, brake pads are the first line of defence when you apply the brakes. Once they’ve been worn down to a certain level, then they pose a significant risk to the driver’s safety. At this point, it’s best to get them changed, as they will almost certainly require replacement within the next few thousand kilometres. The level of wear and tear on the brake pads can vary from person to person depending on a number of factors. Such as the driving conditions, the driving style, the type of vehicle, etc.
With that said, a good rule of thumb is that if you can see the metal backing on the brake pads. Then it’s time to change them out as soon as possible. It’s also important to note that different car manufacturers recommend changing your pads at slightly different intervals. So, it’s best to check the owner’s manual for the specific make and model.
3 Reasons What Make Car Brakes Fail
- If the car’s braking system isn’t maintained properly: It’s no secret that brake replacement is a pretty regular maintenance item on just about every car model. But there are plenty of other aspects of a car’s braking system that also require regular maintenance. If a car’s braking system isn’t regularly maintained, then the performance of the whole system can be seriously compromised. This can result in serious accidents and even deaths.
- Using The Wrong Kind Of Brake Pad: while almost all brake pads will provide a level of braking capability, they aren’t all created equal. some will provide stronger and more efficient braking than others. if the car driver uses the wrong kind of brake pad, it can seriously damage their rotors and shorten their lifespan.
- If The Car’s Correct Tire Pressure Isn’t Maintained Properly: Tire pressure is an often overlooked aspect of maintaining a vehicle’s braking system. This is particularly true for people who don’t drive often or who don’t drive in challenging environments where correct tire pressure is essential. If a car is properly maintained, it will typically come with a tire pressure gauge that can be used to regularly check the status of the vehicle’s tires.
2 Signs That It’s Time To Change Your Brakes
- When the brake fluid levels are low: It’s essential that brake fluid levels are always kept at the correct level. If they drop too low, then the car’s braking system won’t be able to work properly. If you notice that the level of fluid in the brake reservoir is running low. Then it’s time to get it checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible. As a general rule of thumb, you should have your brake fluid levels checked out every two years or so.
- If the brakes make a ‘screeching’ sound: When the brakes make a loud screeching sound, this is a sure sign that something is wrong. While it’s often caused by overheated pads and rotors, it can sometimes be a sign that there’s a more serious issue with the braking system. If your brakes make a screeching sound, it’s recommended that you get them checked out as soon as possible by a mechanic.
Why Do Brakes Require Repeated Replacing?
Brakes are designed to be used regularly, and they will inevitably wear down over time. However, there are certain factors that can accelerate the rate at which they wear out. These include driving in challenging environments (i.e. mountainous areas or areas with heavy rainfall) and driving over long distances. That’s why a pre purchase inspection of a car’s brakes is important when considering whether or not to buy a used car.
Why Is An Inspection Important When Buying A Used Car?
Getting a pre purchase inspections of the car’s brakes can help you catch problems that you might not be able to see otherwise. For example, the brake pads or discs might be worn down and may need to be replaced or resurfaced. The brake fluid may be low, which not only makes the brakes less effective but also means that you might need to repair or replace the brake lines. And the brake callipers may be seized, which could mean that you need new brake callipers.
By doing a prepurchase car inspections, you will be able to see how much wear and tear there is on the car’s brakes. If you see that there is a lot of wear. You can ask the seller if he or she will lower the price of the car since you will likely have to replace the brakes either immediately or in the near future. By doing a pre purchase inspection, you will also be able to see if the brakes are working properly. If the brakes don’t seem to be working correctly, it could be a sign of a serious problem. Such as a faulty brake system.
