You just might be able to see the outboard brake pad, where it touches the brake disc. If you can see it, make sure there is at least a quarter inch of material on the brake pad.
If there is less, you should have the brakes checked; most likely, they'll need to be replaced. If you can't see the pad by looking through the spokes, then jack up the car here's how to do it correctly and safely , remove a front wheel, and check for pad wear. Bolt the wheel back on, jack up the rear of the car, remove a rear wheel, and check a rear brake as well. You'll probably need a trouble light or flashlight to see the pads clearly in the dark fender wells. If you want to be thorough, check all four brakes.
The photo below shows what brake pads look like, with a new one on the left and one that's roughly half worn on the right. What is often a simple pad replacement can turn into a far costlier and more complicated brake job if you find the pads worn and then ignore the situation.
As noted above, if the pads have completely worn down, you will soon hear a grinding sound that means the pads' backing plates are making contact with the brake rotors. If that happens, get ready to pay big bucks; you'll need to replace chewed-up brake discs. There are other symptoms of brake trouble that don't involve wear to the brake pads.
If your brakes don't stop as readily as they used to, and if the pedal feels mushy, rather than firm, or slowly sinks toward the floor, there's likely another problem. This could be water or air in the brake fluid, a fluid leak in the system, or a failing brake master cylinder. If you have any of these systems or see a puddle of liquid left behind by your car when parked, see a trusty repair shop or dealer.
If you are in the Golden, CO area and need brake or transmission repair, let us know! We would love to help keep you and your car happy. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Slow Down — Fast driving leads to fast braking. The more frequently you have to brake will cause more friction on your brakes. So if you want your brakes to last longer, slow down, lead foot.
Even the slightest pressure will cause friction in the braking system. This lowers your fuel efficiency and can be confusing to drivers behind you when the brake lights flash. Lower Car Weight — Driving around with extra weight in your car or truck means your brakes have to work harder to slow the vehicle down. Sometimes it is unavoidable when driving with friends or moving heavy items. But if you carry unnecessary items in your trunk, consider moving them out to save your brakes. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.
Driving in urban areas is usually harder on your brakes than driving in the country or on long, straight roads. Drivers in cities need to brake more often because of traffic lights, stop signs, and traffic jams. If you drive in places with steep hills, you could also wear out your brakes more quickly by using them to control your downhill speed.
Brake pads can be made from many different compounds to suit a variety of driving needs. Harder brake pads last longer, but they usually need to be warm before they perform well. However, too much heat can melt the brake pad onto the brake rotor and reduce brake performance.
That means people with these brake pads should avoid lots of hard braking or extreme maneuvers. The brake calipers will contact the rotors directly, leading to excess heat and damage.
Pay attention to these signs that your brake pads need replacing to prevent additional expenses and keep yourself and your passengers safe. A screeching or squealing noise when you apply your brakes is the most common sign that you need new brake pads.
Most manufacturers include thin metal strips in their brake pads. This noise is usually audible even when the windows are up, but it could be masked by loud music or other noises nearby.
Also, not all cars have brake pads designed to make this noise. If screeching or squealing turns into a deep scraping or grinding sound, the metal plates on the backs of your brake pads could already be contacting your brake rotors or discs. Driving fast goes with braking fast like peanut butter goes with jelly. That fast braking generates a lot of friction, which increases wear on your brake pads and shortens their lifespan. In addition to the brake pad-saving tips here, check out this free online maintenance schedule to keep every other part of your ride humming along.
Heading down a steep hill? Instead, downshift if you drive a manual if you want to slow your roll and work on perfecting the art of coasting if you drive an automatic. Feeling lazy? Your brake pedal is meant to stop your car, not act as a footrest. Yes, people do this. And yes, riding the brake pedal can wreak havoc on your brake pads, shortening their life! It also confuses drivers behind you, since pressing the pedal, however lightly, activates your brake lights. Rest that foot on the floorboard to the far left, instead.
Shed extra pounds, if possible. Not you — your car!
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