When Do I Change My Brake Pads?

Brake pads are crucial to your braking system. Like other parts in your car, they need to be replaced from time to time. Have you found yourself wondering: When do I change my brake pads? At Cloninger Ford, we want to give Salisbury and Lexington drivers the answer.

Many factors affect brake pad lifespan. We’ll help Mooresville and Kannapolis drivers see the warning signs that it’s time for a change!

Visual Inspection: A Quarter Inch

Did you know you can see your brake pads through the spokes in your wheels? This makes it easier than ever to check your pad thickness. When the pad’s frictional material is less than a quarter-inch thick, it’s time to change it before the pad wears down completely.

If you notice any of the warning signs on this list, check your brake pads visually! You’ll know in seconds whether you need to replace them.

Is that a Squealing Sound I Hear?

A high-pitched squeal coming for your car may seem like cause for alarm. If your brake pads are at fault, though, it may be more of a friendly warning.

Many manufacturers install steel clips near the base of their brake pads. These clips are known as brake pad wear indicators, and they’re designed to squeal when your pads wear down. When the clip becomes exposed, it contacts the metal rotor as you brake and squeals to remind you to replace your brake pads. 

Sometimes, your brakes will squeak when exposed to wet and damp conditions, like a rainstorm. This is a harmless noise and should disappear after a few applications of the brakes.

Deep Metallic Grinding/Growling

If your brake pads wear down fully, you’ll be left with metal-on-metal. The metallic base of the pad will scrape against the rotor as you brake and produce a rumbling growl. This kind of contact can damage the braking system even further, so have your brake pads changed ASAP.

How Often Should I Change Brake Pads?

There’s no magic number when it comes to changing your brake pads. That’s why it’s best to rely on visual inspections in these cases. Brake pads can last anywhere from 25,000 to 70,000 miles—and that’s quite an interval! Factors that affect your brake pad lifespan are wide-ranging and include:

• The materials your pads are made of
• The hardness of your brake pads
• The environment you drive in
• Your driving habits

Carbon-ceramic brakes, like those often found in sports cars, are built to last longer than standard metal brakes. Stop-and-go traffic, as well as mountain roads with steep elevation changes, can wear down your brake pads more quickly than highways or country roads.

Smooth, gradual braking can extend the life of your brake pads. Minimize those abrupt stops and try to ease into them, and your brake pads will last longer.

Stop for Brake Repair at Cloninger Ford

We hope these tips help you recognize the warning signs to change your brake pads! If your pads need to be replaced, our service center is happy to help. Schedule brake repair here at Cloninger Ford, our dealer serving Kannapolis and Salisbury drivers.

We’ll have your car, truck, or SUV ready for the roads of Mooresville and Lexington in no time. Have your brakes serviced by our certified team of experts today!