Brake Replacement: When Should You Replace Your Brakes?
As a driver of a road vehicle, you are no doubt aware that it is made up of various mechanical parts, each one as important as the other. Among the essential elements ensuring your safety, that of your passengers and other road users, we find the braking system. Indeed, your vehicle must have an efficient, precise and fast braking system that will allow you to slow down calmly at a red light or to stop your car suddenly to avoid a collision. Have you noticed that your vehicle takes longer than normal to stop when you press the brake pedal? The braking system of your vehicle seems to be worn and you will most certainly have to change the brakes. Indeed, like all mechanical elements of a vehicle, the brakes wear out with use and over time. But when exactly should you replace the brakes on your car in a professional garage? Read this article to learn everything about your vehicle’s braking system, the causes and the signs that require a brake change.
Your vehicle’s braking system
Composition and operation
When you press the brake pedal, you exert pressure on the master cylinder, which consists of a piston surrounded by brake fluid, which moves through the brake lines and causes the caliper to squeeze the pair of brake pads against the disc. This action slows the wheel. Thus, the braking system of a vehicle is composed of several elements, including the brake fluid, the piston, the calipers, the pads, the disc and the drum. Drum brakes, installed on the rear wheels of a vehicle, are used less and less these days. Indeed, the braking system of automobiles has changed a lot in recent years, with manufacturers developing more efficient brakes that allow a vehicle to stop in a shorter distance. In this way, the brake pads are more durable and the discs are thinner and more precise. In addition, the majority of vehicles are equipped with hydraulically assisted front brakes and an automated anti-lock brake system (ABS). This technique helps ensure that the vehicle remains stable and prevents the wheels from locking during emergency braking or on wet or icy surfaces.
When to perform brake inspection?
In terms of prevention, brake inspections must be carried out regularly so that your vehicle is always safe and efficient on the road. It is therefore recommended to inspect your braking system when changing tires each season or at 10,000 km. Inspecting and maintaining your vehicle’s braking system should not be neglected, as they will increase the lifespan of the various parts (pads, calipers, discs, etc.) and increase your performance and safety on the road.
When maintaining the braking system, the professional performs several checks such as:
- A visual inspection to check the condition and thickness of the brake pads and discs. If the brake pads are less than 2mm thick, they will need to be changed.
- A cleaning on all brake components that removes rust, buildup and other debris.
- The entire braking system is lubricated, ensuring smooth movement of the various components.
When should you replace your brakes?
Your vehicle’s braking system is put under a lot of strain during your many trips, so over time its two main elements, the brake pads and discs, will wear out due to the friction and heat they are subjected to.
How often you need to replace your brakes will depend on many factors, including:
- How often you use your vehicle : Although this may seem obvious, the more you drive, the more you use your brakes, the faster they wear out.
- Driving style : The harder you apply your brakes or the more abruptly you consistently stop, the sooner you will need to replace your brake pads and rotors. To extend the life of your braking system, opt for smooth, progressive braking.
- The environment : if you drive almost exclusively in the city, your stops are much more frequent (traffic lights, traffic jams, etc.) than if you drive on motorways for example, so you brake more often, thus increasing the wear on your vehicle’s brakes.
- Brake Quality : The quality of brake pad and rotor materials varies greatly. Some have a longer lifespan than others.
As a general rule, nowadays it is then recommended to change the discs at the same time as the pads for optimum performance.
Symptoms of a worn brake system
There are various signs that tell you that your vehicle’s brakes are worn, the main ones are:
- When you brake, the brake pedal sinks deeper into the floor than normal or it feels softer.
- The brake pedal feels harder than usual and is more difficult to operate.
- When braking, the stopping distance increases.
- You feel like your brakes are not working as well as usual.
- You feel a vibrating or pulsating sensation in the steering wheel or brake pedal when you operate it.
- When braking, your vehicle pulls to one side.
- When you brake, your vehicle shakes or jerks.
- You hear a metallic grinding noise or a thud or a shrill noise when you brake.
- You have noticed that the brake fluid level is dropping rapidly and is at the minimum.
- The brake system or ABS warning light comes on on your dashboard.
- After braking, you smell something burning.
- Etc.
Have you noticed any signs of wear on your vehicle’s brake system? So you think you need to replace the brakes on your car or at least have them inspected? Make an appointment with the experts at Pneus Groupe Unik in Dorval. They offer you reliable and quality service at competitive prices for the inspection, maintenance and repair of your vehicle’s brake system.
