How to Tell You Need New Brakes
Knowing when it’s time to change your brakes is essential to keeping you, other passengers and other road users safe. There are several factors that influence how quickly your brakes wear out; from the type of vehicle you have, what you use your vehicle for and the type of brake pads you have fitted to your vehicle.
However, there are a few common signs you need to be aware of that could indicate a problem with your brakes and when they need to be changed.
Brake squealing
One of the most obvious warning signs your brakes are wearing out are that when you apply them, they squeal. Your brakes should make very little or no noise at all when you use them.
Brake pads actually have wear indicators that are designed to cause this squealing noise when they’ve worn down to alert the driver they need replacing. If you do find your brakes are making a squealing sound, it’s important to have them checked as soon as possible before this turns into a grinding sound.
Pulling while steering
Another problem you may experience when your brakes are wearing down is your vehicle pulling to one side or your steering wheel shuddering when you brake.
Spongy brake pedal
As well as this, you may also find you’re having to push your brake pedal almost all the way to the floor before your brakes engage. This is usually a sign of brake fluid leakage, which is a serious concern and needs to be checked immediately.
Brake warning light
One of the most obvious ways to tell there’s an issue with your brakes is if the brake warning light appears on your dashboard. If this is the case, take your car to your nearest garage to have your brakes inspected.
Your vehicle just doesn’t stop like it used to.
Another tell tale sign is you’ve noticed your car just doesn’t stop as quickly or efficiently as it used to. This could be down to worn down brake discs and/or pads, the brake fluid needing to be replaced or an issue with your hydraulic system.
How long do brakes usually last?
Brakes wear differently depending on multiple factors. Here are just some of the major ones to be aware of:
How the vehicle is driven
If you drive aggressively and are harsh with your braking, your brakes are likely to not last as long as if you were to drive gentler.
What you use the vehicle for
If you do a lot of city driving, you’re more likely to be having to use your brakes more when you come to roundabouts, traffic lights etc. Whereas if you typically use your car for long motorway journeys, you’re less likely to be needing to use your brakes.
The weight of your car
The more weight your car has, whether that be due to luggage or passengers, the more strain gets put on your brakes as it takes longer to slow the car down.
The type of brake pads you have
Organic brake pads are generally the cheapest on the market to buy, but won’t last you as long. Whereas ceramic brake pads are much more resistant to wear and will last you longer, although they are more expensive.
How many miles you drive
Obviously the more you use your car, the more you’re having to use your brakes and the more wear they’ll experience.
It’s also worth noting that your front brake pads are likely to wear down quicker than your rears as the front handles the majority of the braking.