What Do Brake Pads Do?
When it comes to safety and reliability, your brakes play a crucial role. When you step on the pedal, the brake fluid in the system creates hydraulic pressure in the brake hoses and lines. At this point, a piston on the brake caliper that’s mounted to a wheel knuckle extends around the brake rotor and squeezes the brake pads against the rotor. This forces your car to slow down. Over time, the material that your brake pads are made of wears down, which will affect your performance. How long this material lasts can vary wildly depending on your diving habits and conditions. Fortunately, for most drivers, the material will hold up for a long, long time. The material usually lasts between 20,000 and 40,000 miles, so you shouldn’t have to worry about servicing your brake pads very often. Determining the conditions of your vehicle’s brake pads and rotors is an essential first step when it comes to identifying if you need service. If you’re not sure and you live near Gretna, Harvey, or Kenner, then you can visit us today at Premier Nissan of Harvey.
When Do I Know I Need New Pads?
Brake pads can be built out of different materials, which can affect their longevity. However, most manufacturers use three main types: non-metallic pads, semi-metallic pads, and ceramic pads. Most companies use ceramic pads as they are usually the best option for your vehicle due to their material. When it comes to knowing whether or not you need new pads, there are a few different ways to tell. If you hear squealing or grinding or your stopping power feels decreased, it might be time for new ones. These are both tell-tale signs, but nothing beats a visual inspection. They first remove the wheels, followed by a visual inspection of the inner and outer brake pads and rotors. Once the material has worn down to a thickness of 3/32th, it’s time to replace your pads. Driving when the thickness of your pad isn’t optimal can lead to lousy braking performance.
Where Can I Get My Pads Serviced?
While you’re at our dealership, our skilled technicians will inspect other aspects of your vehicle’s braking performance, including your rotors and brake calipers, the brake hoses and lines needed to move proper fluid delivery, and much more. Your car’s brake pads are an essential part of its braking performance, and it cannot be overstated how important they are for your vehicle. If your brake pads wear away completely, this also exposes your rotor. This is usually where the grinding sound comes from, as you’ll be slowly whittling them away. There’s one easy way to avoid this though, and that’s servicing your brake pads in time.
