How to tell when you need new brakes?
Several telltale signs will tell you when to replace brake pads or other braking system components. If you hear a squealing sound or your car pulls to one side when braking, you need your brakes checked. A low brake fluid warning light on your dashboard can also indicate an issue. AutoZone suggests that if you do mostly highway driving, your brake rotors could last 60,000 miles, but if you’re a city driver, you may need to replace them as early as 20,000 miles.
Signs of bad brakes
The following are some of the indicators of when to replace brake pads:
1. A squealing sound
According to Bruce Chidsey, vice president of automotive technical support for AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care, squealing is an indication of how to tell if brake pads are worn. That annoying sound is from the brake pad’s wear indicator, a small piece of metal that vibrates against the rotor when friction has worn the brake pads down to a minimum thickness threshold. Typically, that noise means you have about 2/32 of an inch of brake pad left, which isn’t much. In the states that require regular vehicle safety inspections, that thickness is as low as the pads can get and still be considered adequate for driving.
“When your brakes squeal,” Chidsey says, “that’s when you start damaging other parts.”
2. Your car veers to one side
If your car pulls to one side when you use the brakes, that indicates that you may need new brakes or pads. Pulling to one side indicates a problem with the brakes on the opposite side of the car. (Essentially, you’re only getting braking power to one side, causing the opposite side to swing out.) The cause might be a jammed caliper piston getting in the way of the braking operation or overly worn brake pads.
3. Low brake fluid level
Your vehicle uses brake fluid, which is hydraulic fluid, every time you press the brakes to stop. Your brakes will not function without brake fluid, so it’s vital to check and change brake fluid whenever you get an oil change. However, your owner’s manual will have the recommended interval for replacing the brake fluid. Low brake fluid is another signal that you need new brakes. If your brake light illuminates on the dash or your brakes feel less responsive than usual, take your car to the shop and check your fluid levels.
“It could mean you have a leak in the system,” Chidsey says. “Or it could be a sign that your brake pads are worn. If that’s the case, the caliper pistons will extend out as the pads wear down, causing brake fluid to fill the space behind the caliper piston lower in the reservoir. But don’t just have your mechanic or a service professional top it off. That brake fluid went somewhere, so have them find out what you’re dealing with.”
Signs you need new brake rotors
Given that the brake pads’ pressure on the rotor stops your vehicle when you apply the brakes, you want to monitor the condition of your rotors for your safety. Here’s how to tell if you need new rotors:
Pulsation during braking: If the brake pad pulsates when you step on the brakes, it could be due to warped or unevenly worn rotors.
Poor brake performance: If it takes longer than usual to stop or your brakes are not responsive, this could indicate worn rotors.
Grinding sound: If you hear a grinding sound when you apply the brakes, the brake caliper and rotor are scraping against each other, metal on metal.
Grooves on the rotor: Wear and tear can cause visible grooves on the rotor surface—if the surface is not smooth, it may be time to replace them.
How often should you replace brake pads?
Bridgestone Tire recommends you replace brake pads or shoes every 30,000 to 35,000 miles in urban use. With mostly highway driving, every 80,000 miles or more. Your ideal maintenance plan with brakes is to replace the pads before they wear down too much and cause metal-on-metal friction in your brake system. That’s because rotors and calipers are more expensive to replace than new brake pads alone. Check your brake system routinely and listen for a grinding sound. If your brake pads and rotors are making a grinding noise, chances are it’s too late, and replacing them will be necessary.
Learn more about common causes for your noisy brakes.
Because your brake pads are behind the wheels and difficult to see, let alone track their wear, Chidsey advises having your technician check them for you.
“If your mechanic tells you that your brake pads are worn down to 3/32 of an inch or less, you’re getting close to the end,” he says. “And remember, there’s nothing wrong with getting them changed out a little early just to be safe.”
How often should you replace brake rotors?
Rotors take a lot of friction every time you apply your brakes, eventually weakening the steel and leading to warping. The type of driver you are, whether you’re constantly slamming on the brakes in stop-and-go city driving or if you are primarily a highway driver, will impact how long your rotors will last.
How brakes work — and how they wear down
A braking system consists of both mechanical and hydraulic parts. Every time you put your foot on the pedal, the master cylinder pushes brake fluid into a hydraulic caliper behind the wheels. Pistons in the calipers squeeze the brake pads against the metal, disc-shaped rotors to stop the car.
The brake components’ constant squeezing and releasing causes wear and tear of the pads and rotors over time. It also creates significant heat. “As the pads get lower and lower, they don’t dissipate the heat as much,” says Chidsey. “And that causes them to wear out even faster.”
What causes brake rotors to wear down?
Power Stop.com describes the following causes of brake rotors getting worn out:
Axle position: Because front axles bear more weight than rear axles, the front rotors can wear out more quickly than the rear ones.
Vehicle weight: The heavier the vehicle, the quicker its rotors and pads will wear down.
Driving style and environment: Aggressive driving, extreme weather, and temperature fluctuations can cause rotors to wear more quickly.
How to replace brake pads
The Family Handyman reports that changing brake pads takes about four hours and will save you about $350 in shop labor. You’ll need to gather your new brake pads, rotors, tools, and supplies to replace them. Working on one side of the vehicle at a time, you’ll remove the tires, the calipers, and the piston before you can remove the old rotor and replace the brake pad. Finally, you’ll reassemble everything, replace the wheel, test the new brakes, and carefully break in the new brake pads.
How to replace brake rotors
You can also replace brake rotors if you’re handy at repairing cars. You’ll want to replace the brake pads and rotors simultaneously to ensure that these parts that work so closely together wear evenly. AutoZone has step-by-step instructions for how to replace brakes. Learning to repair and maintain your car will help it to last longer. But, if DIY is not your speed, you can always find a good mechanic to replace your brakes.
How to extend the life of your brakes
If you want to keep your brake pads in good shape for as long as possible, practice good driving habits. Don’t accelerate too quickly or brake too quickly. Don’t ride your brakes and remember to take your emergency brake off while driving.
“If you give yourself enough space between cars to avoid jamming on the brakes, they’re going to last longer,” says Chidsey.
Also, remember that if you’re consistently hauling a significant amount of weight, towing a trailer, or carpooling to work, you may need to replace your brake pads more frequently. Extra pounds in the car translates to faster brake wear because it takes more force to slow down.
5 Signs You Need New Brake Pads
There are a lot of car owners out there who don’t consider brake maintenance a priority—until something goes wrong. Do not make this mistake. When you hit the brake pedal, a complex network of parts springs into action. In order for the system to keep functioning properly, certain pieces must be replaced at regular intervals. Among those components, the ones that you’ll probably be switching out the most often are your brake pads.
What Are Brake Pads And How Do They Work?
In most modern automobiles, the front two wheels have a braking apparatus that depend on what are known as rotors: metallic discs found behind each wheel. Above each of these is a clamp-like device called the caliper. When you hit your brake pedal, the calipers start to close, squeezing the rotors from both sides. This action produces friction, which causes the wheels to spin more slowly until they come to a complete stop.
Brake pads are the removable surfaces that calipers use to make contact with the rotors during this process. These brake pads won’t last forever. (No car part does.) The friction mentioned earlier will inevitably wear them down over time. Let the brake pads get too thin, and your brakes won’t work as effectively as they should. For safety’s sake, it’s imperative that you get new brake pads installed at the first sign of trouble.
Should you notice any of these five red flags, ask an auto repair shop to replace the old brake pads ASAP.
Signs You Need New Brake Pads
1. You hear a squealing noise.
Picture this: You’re out driving with the radio off and the windows rolled up. In the relative quiet, you hear a faint scraping, squealing, or buzzing sound. You also observe that, whenever you hit the brakes, that mysterious noise goes away, only to return again as soon as your foot comes off the brake pedal. What’s going on here?
Today, most—but not all—brake pads are manufactured with built-in “wear indicators.” The sole purpose behind these things is to emit that unpleasant screech you just heard. Wear indicators are metal tabs located near the top of typical brake pads. When the brake pad itself wears down to a dangerous extent, the indicator will scrape against the rotor. This creates a distinctive grating noise which warns the driver that his or her current brake pads are in danger of eroding away altogether.
2. You hear a clicking noise.
In some cars, the brake pads fit snugly into a special holding device. Other vehicles keep them steady with clips, bolts, or pins. At all rates, the common goal behind these designs is to keep the brake pads from wobbling around. If they become loosened somehow (perhaps after a part of the surrounding hardware gets damaged), they’ll begin to rattle. What then results is a clicking sound that rings out whenever the brake pedal is pushed or released.
3. Bringing the car to a stop takes more time than it used to.
This problem has a name and that name is “brake fade.” More often than not, it’s the direct result of intentionally applying the brakes over a vast distance without bringing the car to a full stop. From time to time, such a maneuver might be necessary, particularly when driving down a mountainside or over a winding road. However, if this is something you do frequently—say, if you live in a hilly area where you must regularly drive downhill—it will take a toll on your braking mechanism over time. By forcing the brake pads to make contact with the rotors for a long, uninterrupted period, both components will heat up. In the process, their ability to generate needed friction against each other is reduced over time. As a result, you’ll find that your car won’t come to a complete stop as rapidly as it once did.
4. The nose of your car pulls to one side when you brake.
Your vehicle’s brake pads won’t always wear out at the exact same rate. Sometimes, those on one side will get thinner faster than their counterparts on the other side. Should this occur, the car may pull slightly to the left or right once you hit the brakes. Leave the problem unchecked, and you’ll put unnecessary stress on your steering rack (plus your vehicle’s ball joints, steering knuckles, and wheel bearings). Don’t risk it: Have a mechanic investigate the problem immediately.
Note that brake pads might not necessarily be the cause behind this particular symptom. It may also stem from such other issues as uneven tire pressure, a faulty wheel bearing, or malfunctioning brake caliper. With that said, if unevenly worn brake pads really are the culprit, two new sets should be installed in one session.
5. The brake pedal vibrates when pressed.
Does the brake pedal violently shake whenever you step on it? Your brake pads might be causing the problem. Brake pads are typically held together with a kind of binding resin. As each brake pad wears down, this adhesive gets hot and gets smeared across the rotor. Under ideal circumstances, it will form a layer that’s evenly spread over the disc’s surface. But if a brake pad gets overheated, the resin may not be distributed uniformly. Mechanics call this issue “glazing” and it can cause brake pedals to vibrate.
A pulsating brake pedal isn’t a trustworthy one. If this issue goes unchecked, your ability to brake safely could be compromised. When it comes to brake-pad upkeep, stay safe and don’t procrastinate.
A breakdown never makes for a fun day. GEICO’s Emergency Roadside Service can help if your car breaks down, if you lock your keys in the car, if you have a flat tire, or for any of a number of emergencies. Add it to your policy starting at just $14 per year, per vehicle, for peace of mind out on the road.
Next article: 7 Car Noises You Should Never Ignore
Brake Pad Replacement: What You Need To Know
Replacing Brake Pads Quick Tips
Brake pads typically last 25,000-50,000 miles depending on where you drive, your driving style, and other factors.
Squeaking brakes usually signal it’s time to replace the brake pads.
Brake pad replacement cost is about $300.
If you’ve ever heard a loud squeaking or squealing noise when stepping on your brake pedal, you know that is one of the worst sounds you can hear when driving. The sound is annoying, but it also sounds expensive. That squeaking is probably your brake pads, and they’re telling you it’s time to replace them.
Brake pads are arguably one of the most critical parts of your car, and when you start hearing noises, you need to take action. However, your brake pads might need replacing even if you don’t hear the telltale squeak, squeal, or grind.
Keeping brake pads in good condition is necessary for the safety of drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists. Keep reading to learn about brake pads, including how much replacement pads cost and when to replace them.
What Are Brake Pads?
Brake pads are blocks made of ceramic or a metal alloy. These essential parts of your car’s disc brake system sit behind each wheel on the caliper. When you step on the brake pedal, the calipers clamp the brake pads against the rotor. That friction then causes the car to slow down and eventually come to a stop quickly and safely. The pads release their grip on the rotors and eliminate the friction when you take your foot off the brake.
Installed brake pads aren’t visible because their surfaces face the rotor, but you can see the calipers through spoked wheels. Some high-end vehicles come with caliper covers in bold colors. Enthusiasts can customize their ride with aftermarket caliper covers in popular colors such as red.
How Long Do Brake Pads Last?
Brake pads usually last anywhere between 25,000 and 50,000 miles or two to five years, depending on how often you drive. The lifespan will depend on the quality of the pads, your driving habits and braking patterns, and where you live.
Highway commutes are easier on your brakes than city driving since there are fewer stop-and-go moments. However, if you live in a heavily populated area, even highway trips can take their toll on your brake pads.
RELATED: Brake Repair: How to Diagnose
When To Replace Brake Pads
Signs of Brake Pad Wear
Unlike some maintenance, such as an oil change, it’s hard to know how many miles you have until you need replacing. Luckily, your brake pads will often tell you when it’s time. If you pay attention to how your car drives and how it feels when you engage the brake pedal, you’ll notice when it doesn’t sound or feel right.
Here are a few ways to know if it’s time for new brake pads.
Loud Squeaking Noise
No driver wants to hear a loud squeal or squeak when coming to a stop. However, your car’s manufacturer intends for them to sound like that when your pads start to wear thin. The terrible sound is your first and most obvious sign that it’s time for new brake pads.
In most new cars, a small attachment in the pads acts as a wear indicator, similar to what many tires have to indicate that the tread level is low. When the wear indicator is exposed due to wear, it drags against the rotor to make a screeching noise. This unpleasant sound is your signal to take the car to get service. Most cars will make this sound to notify you, but not every vehicle does, so be aware of other key indicators.
Indicator Lights
An indicator light may be the easiest way to know your brake pads need replacing. Some cars have pads with sensors that trigger a dashboard warning light when the remaining pad material is thin, signaling it’s time for a replacement.
NOTE: You should not confuse this feature with the ABS light. Check the car’s owner’s manual to know if your vehicle has a brake pad replacement indicator.
If your brake indicator light comes on, take the car to get inspected by a qualified mechanic. The pads may not need an immediate replacement, but you should follow the service technician’s advice on when to replace them. Go ahead and schedule the appointment.
Brake Pedal Vibrates
Your car will usually give you signs that something is wrong with it. If you notice your brake pedal vibrates or pulsates when pressing down on it as you come to a stop, it’s a telltale sign something is wrong with your brake pads. There are many reasons why this could happen. The likely reasons are uneven brake pad wear and tear or overheating, causing the adhesion to spread unevenly on the rotors.
Whatever it may be, driving on vibrating brakes is never safe. If you feel your brake pedal is vibrating, take your car to get it inspected as soon as possible.
MORE: Why Do My Brakes Feel Spongy?
Grinding Sound
If you hear a loud grinding sound like metal rubbing together, that’s likely what it is. Similar to the squeaking noise, some cars have metal indicators that cause this grinding sound.
Ignoring other indications can lead to severe problems with the brake system. Since brake pad mounts, rotors, and other braking equipment are metal, wearing away all the brake pad material ends with metal rubbing on metal. This situation is never good and can cause damage beyond brake pad replacement.
Car Takes Longer to Stop
Unlike many other signs that indicate that you need a brake pad replacement, you need to pay a little more attention to your car to notice this one. When stepping on the brake pedal, if it takes longer than usual to come to a complete stop, that is a problem. Taking longer to stop can be the result of driving in a hilly area. When holding the brakes for a long time without releasing the pedal, contact with the rotors for an extended period can cause excessive wear.
If you sense your car is taking longer than it should stop, take your vehicle to a trained mechanic to get an assessment on the brake pads.
How Long Do Brake Pads Last?
Most brake pads can last up to 50,000 miles with smart driving and braking habits, but it’s not a hard and fast rule. If you’re reaching that milestone, or if you notice any of the indicators above, take the car in for an inspection.
How Much Brake Pad Replacement Costs
Despite being a vital safety component of your car, replacing the brake pads isn’t the most expensive car maintenance. It’s nothing to scoff at, but there are more costly auto repairs. For most cars, it will cost around $300 per axle for disc brake pad replacement service at a dealership service center. Ceramic brake pads, which cost slightly more, provide smooth braking and are suitable for most cars. Heavier vehicles, like trucks and SUVs, should use brake pads with semi-metallic friction material.
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Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since it was originally published.
