How Often To Change Rear Brake Pads

Determining how ofttimes you should change your brake pads is not rocket science. Your ears will provide the answer if yous mind.

brake-pads : K Quinn Ferris/Shutterstock

How often should you lot change your brake pads? The reply depends on the unique combination of your vehicle and typical terrain, as well as the habits of those who frequently bulldoze it. Read on to find out more.

When Should I Change My Brake Pads?

Any mechanic will tell you lot that it's time to change your brake pads when the lining is in the 3 mm to 4 mm range.

For context, know that the standard thickness of new brake linings is 12 mm. The first half of your brake pad'southward lifespan is usually carefree. As it wears past half dozen mm, though, listen for the sign that it's time. Brake pads incorporate a metal burr that contacts the rotor at 3 mm, causing a bleat that signals you lot to service the brakes. Plus, what to do if your car shakes when braking.

Don't ignore this squeal. Ignoring this warning results in damage to the rotors, at showtime scoring, then overheating, and potentially fifty-fifty warping them as the pads wear to nothing. Ideally, yous'll take hold of them before you hear that telltale squeal, then you can salve your rotors and budget accordingly. Consider, causes and DIY fixes for smoking brakes.

How to Monitor Brake Pads

Overall, it'due south a good idea to check the restriction pad lining thickness every time you change the oil. Most shops that do brakes will automatically bank check them for yous when you change your oil, as they look to sell additional services. You lot can too check them yourself. Once down in the 3 mm to 4 mm range, that bleat isn't far away. Go ahead and schedule some time to get them replaced, or replace them yourself.

Ane real-life instance: The ceramic brake pad linings on my SUV were measured after 11 months of use (at approximately 23,000 miles/yr) and showed 7 mm remaining. Although this is still considered within the "skilful" range (starting time 6 mm of habiliment), I'll go on a closer heart on these pads going forward as they progress through the concluding half of their useful lifespan.

How Long Does It Take To Wear Out Brake Pads?

It depends upon a couple of things: Your driving habits and the material your brake pad lining is made from.

Speeding, last-second braking and miles driven either around town or in stop-and-get traffic (verses highway miles) all affect how fast your brake pads wear out. Furthermore, driving in mountainous country, where constant downhill braking is necessary, as well adds wear to your poor, old brake pads.

Softer brake-lining materials, such as organics, tend to wear downwardly faster, requiring replacement more oftentimes. Metallics tend to wear on the rotors more heavily. Ceramics combine the best aspects of the two, but cost more. Consider that practiced information that doesn't help you once your pads are worn, but can help inform about brake replacement costs and choosing the right type.

Related: Glazed Restriction Pads Are Unsafe

Damaged through overheating, glazed brake pads provide little friction for stopping the brake rotors and take become dangerous. This tin can happen if yous fast-brake in an emergency or ride the brakes for an extended period of fourth dimension. They'll have a smooth-feeling surface that tin be shiny or crystallized in advent. You may too notice that the vehicle's stopping distance has increased—oftentimes significantly. No thing their thickness, if your brake pads are glazed, get them inverse ASAP.