How To Diagnose A Failing Brake Pad
Unlike some car parts, brake pads don't last the lifetime of the vehicle. Brake pads come with friction material that wears down over time. Under normal circumstances, brake pads last between 30K and 70K miles. The average person drives about 15K miles per year. That means brake pads last about 2-4 years.
The longevity of your brake pads all depends on your driving style, though. So you don't need to schedule regular replacements of your brake pads. But you do need to be aware of signs that they are wearing out. If your brake pads get completely worn out:
- Your car's stopping power is seriously compromised
- Your rotors can get damaged, and you will need to replace them too
The best way to prevent any serious issues from arising is to check your brake pads every now and then. We'll show you how.
Warning Signs Of Worn Brake Pads
If you notice any of the following symptoms, check your brake pads ASAP:
- Longer stopping distances
- Squealing or grinding noise when braking
- Spongy brake pedal
- Burning smell when braking
- Pulling to the left or right when braking
- This is usually sign that a brake pad has gone out on one side when there's still some pad life on the other side. And that may mean that one of your calipers is stuck.
Get A Brake Pad Measuring Tool
The best way to check your brake pads is with a brake pad measuring tool. You can get one at a big box store or any auto parts store. Usually, a brake pad measuring tool comes with three different colors. Here's what each color means:
- Red: Measures 3mm and less. Means that the brake pad is very worn and needs replacing ASAP.
- Yellow: Measures between 3mm and 7mm. Means that the brake pad is still OK to use, but it will wear out soon.
- Green: Measures 7mm and above. Means that the brake pad has plenty of life left.
Read on to find out how to check your brake pads with a measuring tool.
How To Check Your Brake Pads
Checking your brake pads is pretty easy with the right tools. You would need:
- A way to lift your car safely
- Lug wrench or impact gun
- Brake pad measuring tool
Here are the steps to follow:
- Lift your vehicle and then prop it up safely.
- Depending on the openings in your wheels, you may be able to measure the brake pads without removing a wheel. If not, remove one of the tires.
- Measure the brake pads.
- Visually inspect the brake pads for any uneven wear or damage, such as cracks.
- If there's some brake pad life left, but there are cracks, replace the pads anyway.
- If there's uneven wear, something may be wrong with the calipers or rotors.
- Repeat with the rest of the brake pads on the vehicle.
- Even if the first set of brake pads looks good, you still want to check all the other pads.
Do You Need To Replace Your Brake Pads?
If you're wondering how to replace your brake pads, it's quite similar to the process listed above. You would only need to swap out the old brake pads for the new ones.
The first thing you need to do is order a set of replacement brake pads. Look no further than us! We stock genuine OEM brake pads at wholesale pricing for many different makes and models. You'll save a lot of money if you shop with us. For example, this set of OEM Jaguar brake pads is about $75 cheaper than regular price. It's just as good as the pads you'd get at a Jaguar dealership, because they're the exact same parts. Look up your vehicle here to see if we have a set of OEM brake pads for your car!