Of all the essentials that make your car safe and drivable, braking is one of the most important. But do you actually know what happens inside the vehicle when you push down on the pedal? Do you know the proper maintenance to ensure that pushing on the pedal consistently and reliably stops the car? And what do squeaking brakes mean?
Brake pad replacement is one of those periodic car maintenance tasks that you should never procrastinate on. While there are general guidelines for how often to replace brake pads, there are also warning signs you should know that signal your brakes are deteriorating. If you notice those warning signs, it’s time to give us a call at Tom’s Automotive! So, let’s discuss the basics of brakes and when it’s time to replace them.
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The Basics of Brakes
Modern vehicles typically use hydraulic braking systems, which operate with either disc or drum brakes. Disc brakes are the most common. They consist of brake pads, rotors, and calipers. When you press the brake pedal, hydraulic fluid moves through lines to the brake calipers, applying force to the brake pads. This pressure creates friction against the rotors, which slows the wheels and stops the car.
Drum brakes work similarly, the components are just a little different and have different names. Both systems include components like a master cylinder, brake fluid reservoir, brake lines, and often a brake booster. The components that experience friction—the pads, rotors, and calipers in disc brakes—are something that need to be replaced occasionally as they wear out.
How Often to Replace Brake Pads
Considering how much friction your brake pads and rotors experience, it should be no surprise that they wear down. The actual timeline for your brake service will depend on everything from your vehicle type to your driving habits. The conditions you drive in can also make a big difference—think things like steep terrain, lots of moisture, or constant stop-and-go traffic in the city. These can all wear your brake components out faster.
Tell-Tale Signs of Worn-Out Brakes
The best way to find out if some of your brake components are due for replacement is for your auto shop technician to see the early signs of wear! At Tom’s Automotive, we check your brakes every time you get a tire rotation, which we recommend every 6,000 miles. That way, we can easily catch aging brakes before they become a risk.
But if it goes a little past that point, you might notice some warning signs of worn-out brakes. Keep these signs in mind, and don’t wait to request an appointment if you notice them.
Squeaking Brakes
If your brakes are older and you start hearing squeaking when you brake, the most likely explanation is worn-out brake pads. The pads have small metal indicators embedded in them. As the pads wear down and that indicator is exposed, friction from the rotor will create that unpleasant screeching sound. Squeaking brakes are usually one of the first signs it’s time for brake pad replacement.
As a side note, if you’ve recently had the pads replaced and they’re still squeaking, there’s a different explanation for that—typically that the new pads were overheated with too much harsh braking too early on. Bring the vehicle in and we’ll get them fixed!
Vibrations When Braking
Vibrating or pulsating when you press on the brake pedal is another sure sign your brakes need attention. This might have less to do with the brake pads and more to do with warped rotors. One of our technicians will inspect the brakes and possibly take the car for a test drive to diagnose the problem.
Visible Damage on the Rotors or Pads
If you’re a DIY car owner, you can check for damage on the brake pads and rotors yourself. You’ll probably need to remove the tires. With a clear view of your brakes, look for obvious wear on the pads and grooves or scoring on the rotors. You might also see a bluish tint on the rotors. That blue color can occur when the rotors are subjected to extreme heat.
Not everyone is willing or able to take the tires off the car and get up and close with the components. We’ve got you covered! Again, a visual brake inspection is something we do with every tire rotation to make sure your brakes are in good shape.
Increased Stopping Distance
The worst way to find out your brakes are wearing out is for them to become less effective. Hopefully, it won’t get to this point, thanks to regular maintenance and inspections! But if you do notice that your brakes don’t seem as responsive, meaning you have to push harder or longer to stop, don’t test your luck. Bring your car to the shop!
Don’t Ignore Squeaking Brakes! Request an Appointment at Tom’s Automotive Today
We don’t need to tell you that brakes are important. So let us keep them in good shape. If you haven’t had your car serviced in a while or don’t know when the last time was that the brakes were inspected, it’s probably time to request an appointment. Or, if you’ve noticed unpleasant squeaking brakes, vibrations, or increased stopping distance, we’ll take a look to find the problem and get it fixed. Give us a call with any questions, or request an appointment today!