How often should the brake pads be changed? How to check whether it needs to be replaced?
In general vehicles, under normal driving conditions, the service life of the front brake pads is 30,000-50,000 km, and the service life of the rear brake pads is 100,000-130,000 km.
How do I check if I need to replace the brake pads?
1. Look at the thickness
The thickness of a new brake pad is generally about 1.5cm, and the thickness will gradually become thinner with the continuous friction in use. Professional technicians suggest that when the thickness of the brake pads is only about 1/3 of the original thickness (about 0.5cm), the owner should increase the frequency of self-inspection and be ready to replace it at any time. Of course, due to the design of the wheel hub, some models do not have the conditions for visual inspection, and the tires need to be removed to complete.
There is a raised mark on both sides of each brake pad. The thickness of this mark is about two or three millimeters. This is also the limit for the thinnest replacement of the brake disc. If the thickness of the brake pad is already parallel to this mark, it must be replaced. Therefore, when the thickness of the brake pads is close to this mark, the car owner must observe and prepare at any time, but it is difficult to observe accurately with the naked eye without removing the tires. Prompted, relatively self-test is much more convenient.
TIPS: There is no strict replacement interval for the brake pads according to the vehicle environment and driving habits. Generally, it is necessary to consider replacing the brake pads after driving about 60,000 kilometers. When it is found that the brake pads are thin by visual observation, a technician should be asked to check during maintenance, because there will be errors in visual observation, and professional maintenance stations pass calipers more rigorously than visual observation.
(If it is a drum brake, it cannot be checked by looking at it. You can use the following two methods to determine whether the brake shoes in the brake drum need to be replaced.)
2. Listen to the sound
If there is a sound of "iron rubbing against iron" when the brake is lightly tapped (it may also be the effect of the brake pads running in at the beginning of installation), the brake pads must be replaced immediately. Because the limit marks on both sides of the brake pads have directly rubbed the brake disc, it proves that the brake pads have exceeded the limit. In this case, when replacing the brake pads, it is necessary to cooperate with the inspection of the brake disc. When this kind of sound occurs, the brake disc is often damaged. In severe cases, the brake disc needs to be replaced.
In addition, some poor quality brake pads have hard spots, which will also produce abnormal noise. Generally, the abnormal noise generated will disappear after a period of wear.
TIPS: It is often too late when you hear the sound of the brakes, and the brake disc will be damaged more or less at this time. The price of brake discs is much higher than that of brake pads, so it is recommended that you check the brake pads frequently to avoid damage to the brake discs.
3. Feel the strength
If the brakes feel softer and the braking distance increases, it is possible that the brake pads have basically lost friction and must be replaced at this time, otherwise a serious accident will occur.
TIPS: This method is relatively abstract, and it may be difficult to grasp by feeling, so it is very important to develop a good self-examination habit. In addition, the reduced braking effect will increase the consumption of brake oil, so when replacing the brake pads, it is necessary to focus on checking the condition of the brake oil.
