You should have your mechanic flush your brake lines and change your brake fluids about once every two years. Vehicles naturally move more slowly in lower gears. Downshifting to slow your vehicle minimizes brake pad wear. You can use gears for speed moderation in all manual transmission vehicles and some automatic transmission vehicles as well.
If you drive a manual vehicle, avoid going up above third gear when driving downhill. If you drive an automatic, you can also moderate speed through gear usage if your transmission includes first or second gear options.
Many automatic transmission models offer lower gears in addition to drive that drivers can use to downshift. Sudden braking is hard on the brake pads. Drivers who tailgate are more likely to slam on the brakes suddenly. Listen to your brakes for noises like grinding, growling or squealing. If you hear grinding or growling sounds when you press the brake pedal, it typically means that the brake pads have worn through and are grinding into the rotors.
Vibration in the brake pedal or steering wheel is another sign of worn brake pads. Learn more about quality brake pads , find your car part , or find where to buy your auto part today. The content contained in this article is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be used in lieu of seeking professional advice from a certified technician or mechanic.
We encourage you to consult with a certified technician or mechanic if you have specific questions or concerns relating to any of the topics covered herein. Under no circumstances will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on any content. Products Brake Lighting. What You Don't See. About Us. Contact Us. The actual pad consists of a steel backing plate covered with a layer of high friction material. As you brake, minute amounts of this material are worn away by rubbing the disc, and create the dust which coats your wheels.
The composition of the friction material is what dictates how well the pads grip or bite, and how quickly they wear. Different compounds of pad may last longer, but not bite as hard, or resist brake fade caused by heat. There is always a trade off between performance and service life, and some pads are designed to keep working in extremes of heat that would otherwise damage a 'normal' brake pad.
As the pads wear down they need to be replaced well before the steel backing makes contact with the disc. Some pads require a visual inspection, some incorporate audible wear indicators that squeal as the brakes wear low , and others contain sensors that trigger a warning light on the dashboard when they get to a prescribed limit. Discover how to replace the front brake pads on your car! There is no federal safety standard for the minimum brake pad material left, but in the UK the legal minimum is 1.
Since the front brakes do roughly three quarters of all the braking, they tend to wear out three times faster than the rear, unless you drive a truck and haul heavy loads or tow. Rear disc pads can be checked similarly, but rear drum brakes are much harder to check. When driving you may notice you have to press the pedal further to get the same amount of braking.
Stepping on the brakes only moves the pads a very small amount, but magnifies the force you use on the pedal, for thousands of pounds of clamping. The hydraulic system is supposed to automatically adjust for the wear of the friction material, but it isn't perfect. If your brakes are extremely worn, the system may need all the brake fluid in the master cylinder to compensate. Run the master cylinder reservoir dry and you'll get air int eh brake lines and extrememly mushy pedal feel.
The resulting friction slows the vehicle. Disc brakes are found on the front axles of all modern passenger vehicles and on the rear axle of many, too. Their friction against the drum slows the vehicle.
If allowed to wear out before being replaced, other components of the brake system may be damaged — especially the brake discs or drums. In addition to often costly repairs, driving with worn brake pads or shoes can result in unsafe driving conditions. Over time, the friction material will become thinner.
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