Automotive

How to Check the Brake Pads of Your Car?

Appropriate brake pad maintenance and inspection are not only important for the longevity of the car, but it is also for your safety as well as a driver or passenger. In simpleton terms, the brakes of your vehicles are what actually enable you to slow down and stop. Unluckily, brakes tend to be overlooked when considering regular auto maintenance.

When to replace brake pads?

There is no particular schedule for when it is a perfect time to get your brake pads replaced. In other words, you might want to consider checking your brake pads on a regular basis to help ascertain the amount of wear and tear. Typical brake pads are dependent on how and where you drive. You should get your brake pads checked professionally each time you get your tires rotated, twice a year. It is also a good practice to inspect your car owner’s manual or to consult a professional technician to understand what is right for your specific vehicle. The common signs which state the replacement of your brake pads are as follows:

  1. Pulsation or vibrations in the brake pedal.
  2. Longer stopping distances.
  3. Your foot goes down further than normal when you apply the brakes.

How to check your brakes?

  1. Listen to your brakes.

The brake pads are designed to make a certain noise as a sign of a warning that they need to be changed. This noise will sound like metal scraping when the car is moving and the sound emitted by these wear indicators will get louder, the more the brakes are subjected to use. After the inspection, you have the noisy brakes nonetheless. And you may need different adjustments or repairs.

  1. Look at the wheels

The brake dust accumulation in the wheel is another symptom of normal wear. As the brake pads begin to wear out, the amount of dust on the wheels tends to decrease. Observing cleaner wheels after the previous brake dust gathered is a sign that the brake pads need replacement.

  1. Observe the brake pad

The brake pad is easily visible through the wheel in many cars. Have a look at it to ascertain its thickness. If it seems quite thin, around less than a ¼th of an inch, it likely needs replacement. Some Cross drilled brake parts consist of a slot in the center that delivers as a wear indicator. Have a look at the slot, if it is almost gone, the pad will probably need a replacement.

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