Brake pads are part of a car’s consumables category. They must be replaced periodically to be able to drive safely but also to pass the ITP check. Here’s how many kilometers the pads change and what are the first signs of wear.
Brake pads are particularly important, being a vital safety element of motor vehicles. They ensure the car slows down and stops safely.
But the more they are used, the faster they wear out and need to be replaced. Otherwise, extremely dangerous situations may occur, including complete failure of the braking system.
After how many kilometers do you change the brake pads?
Manufacturers recommend using brake pads for a limited number of kilometers, depending on the materials they are made of.
„Generally, after about 15,000-20,000 kilometers, brake pads should be replaced. But, it depends on each person’s driving style. If you have a let’s say aggressive mode, so you brake hard at high speed, you might not last even half of this period. For those who drive normally, the recommendation is that when the oil is changed, they also ask for a plate check”, mechanic Robert Marin explained to ProMotor.
To ensure effective braking, the remaining “meat” on these brake pads must not fall below 3 millimeters.
What are brake pads and how do they work?
Brake pads and discs are part of the braking system fitted to most vehicles sold today.
When the brake pedal is pressed, these pads are pressed against the brake disc to reduce the rotation speed of the car wheel.
To make the deceleration gradual, the pads are made of a soft material that heats up and grinds little by little with each press.
Brake pads produced for sports cars, for example, can withstand temperatures of up to 800 degrees Celsius. However, common ones can withstand temperatures of up to 350 degrees Celsius.
The hotter they get, the more the brake pads lose their effectiveness.
What are the first signs of wear and tear and how do you recognize them?
In some cars, there are sensors that warn you when the brake pads have worn out and need to be replaced.
But on most cars, there are two main ways to check the brakes: either visually or by testing their effectiveness.
„Go on a more open road at 40-50 km/h, and when there are no other cars around, apply the brakes suddenly. You should stop in a few meters. Repeat this maneuver 2-3 times, without stopping at all. If the car stops just as quickly, the steering wheel doesn’t vibrate, the steering remains fixed and there is no squealing from the wheels, then the pads are ok“, explained the mechanic.
Also, if you press the brake pedal to the maximum and notice that the speed is reduced quite hard, it means that the pads are worn.
„You don’t have to wait until the last moment, go until the inserts are completely blunt and reach the hard part of the iron. Because it greatly reduces braking efficiency. So instead of stopping the car in 10-15 meters, you will stop it after 20-30 meters, if you stop it. Plus the brake discs will also be excessively worn“, explained Robert Marin.
For example, if normally, from 50 km/h you can stop the car in about 20-30 meters, the more worn the brakes, the longer the distance. So, in an emergency, it is vital that the brakes are as efficient as possible, to stop the car as quickly as possible.
Source: www.promotor.ro
