When Is It Necessary To Change Your Brakes
When Is It Necessary To Change Your Brakes
Posted on October 10, 2023
Brakes play a critical role in ensuring your vehicle’s safety and functionality. Their periodic maintenance is essential to ensure your vehicle’s performance and safety on Canadian roads. But when should you replace them? Explore this detailed guide by Fairway Honda to discover more.
Visible Wear-and-Tear
By periodically inspecting your brake pads through the wheel spokes, you can gauge their health. It might be time to consult a professional if they're less than a quarter-inch thick.
High-Pitched Screeching
Contrary to what many believe, a screeching sound isn't a dire warning. Instead, it's a proactive alert from a tiny metal built into the brake pads, reminding you of an upcoming replacement need.
Screeching Despite New Pads
Not all brake sounds signal pad issues. Sometimes, it indicates glazed rotors from excessive braking. If you spot blueish tints or a distinct dark ring on your rotors, consider getting them checked.
Slow Stopping Response
A lagging brake response might indicate a possible leak in the system. Such issues arise from prolonged braking over long distances, causing the brake pads and rotors to heat up, affecting their efficacy.
Brake Pedal Vibration
Does your vehicle vibrate when braking? It could be a sign of worn-out brake pads or damaged rotors. Ensure your vehicle’s safety by addressing such symptoms promptly.
Extremely Sensitive or Insensitive Brakes
If your car jerks to a stop or requires an excessive pedal press to engage the brakes, it’s an immediate sign to consult a mechanic. These symptoms could indicate uneven rotor wear, brake fluid issues, or a hydraulic system problem.
Driveway Puddle
Spotting a puddle underneath your parked car? It might be brake fluid, distinguishable from motor oil due to its less slimy texture.
Heavy Grinding Sound
Hearing a grinding noise from your brakes is a critical warning. It suggests that your brake pads are fully worn, leading to potential safety risks. Such issues need instant attention.
Pulling To One Side
If your vehicle seems to drift while braking, it might be due to uneven brake lining wear or foreign contaminants in your brake fluid.
What Happens When You Drive With Worn Brakes?
Driving with deteriorated brakes is not just about squeaks and slow stops. The repercussions can be grave:
- Slow Response Time: Worn brakes can severely impede your vehicle's response time, increasing accident risks.
- Damage to Your Car’s Tires: Regular hard braking due to compromised brakes affects your tires. It can lead to quicker wear-out or imbalances, prompting uneven tire wear.
- Further Damage to Your Braking System: The braking system’s interconnected nature means a fault in one component can adversely affect others. Ignoring worn-out brake pads can damage your rotors and potentially the entire system.
Visit Fairway Honda
To sum it up, while the typical lifespan for brake pads ranges from 40,000 to 105,000 km and rotors between 48,000 and 112,000 km, various factors like Canadian terrains, climate, and driving habits can affect these figures. Always be attentive to your vehicle's signals. Ensure your safety and others by scheduling regular check-ups at your trusted service center like Fairway Honda. Safe driving!