How Often Should You Change Your Brakes & Rotors?
Your car’s brakes work hard to keep you safe every time you’re on the road. Our car’s braking system can easily be taken for granted by most of us. Brake pads and rotors play a key role in producing that much-needed stopping power that our brakes produce. They can be easily identified as the charcoal-colored pads and the shiny round disc’s that lie behind our car’s wheels. Brake pads and rotors experience wear and tear over time and can lose their effectiveness. But how can you tell if it’s time to change your brakes?
Shaking Brakes
Ever experienced a vibration from your brakes when you press on the brake pedal? In fact, the harder you press, the more vibration you’ll experience. This is a common sign of warped brake rotors or worn brake pads. When your brake pads engage with the rotors, vibration is caused by the uneven surface which transfers to your steering wheel. A pulsating brake pedal is also common in this case. The danger here is that your brake pad isn’t making solid contact with the rotor and this affects your braking power. It’s best to get your brakes checked out by a professional if you suspect a vibration.
What’s That Noise?
Your brakes shouldn’t be making and strange noises. Commonly manufactured out of cast iron, brake rotors wear over time which causes the cast iron layer to thin and warp. If given long enough, it may even rust. These wearing processes will cause your brakes to make a scraping or squealing sound that’s hard on the ears. Completely worn out brake pads will also make a scraping noise as the metal housing on your brake pad will be making contact with your rotor. These noises are warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored. It may well be time to replace your brake pads and rotors to ensure that your car stops predictably every time you brake.
Diminishing Stopping Power
Wearing brake rotors will begin to affect your stopping power and over time you may lose a substantial amount of braking performance. This deterioration can be subtle, and you may not even notice it over time. Thinning, warping, or rusting rotors will all add to less braking power. This is a big safety concern and it’s important to ensure that your car’s brakes are as effective as possible. By neglecting these warning signs, we can also compromise our family’s safety by placing them in a dangerous position by creating longer stopping distances. Make sure that you speak to a reputable auto repair facility to get your brakes checked out. They will also be able to advise you on how to choose the best brakes for your vehicle.
Seeing Is Believing
It’s easy enough to bend down and have a look at your brake rotors in between your car’s wheels. You should be looking for a smooth appearance on the surface of the brake rotors. Be on the lookout for any grooving or scoring that may be present as this causes uneven braking. If you see any rust or grit build up on your discs, its best to get them checked out as this isn’t normal either. It may also be worth checking your service records to see when last your brake rotors were replaced. If you’ve driven more than 15,000 miles, it’s time to get them checked out.
Brake pads typically need to be replaced every 50,000 miles. Remember that brake wear and tear also rely on driving style as well as the type of vehicle that you’re driving.
Speak To The Brake Professionals
At Foreign Affairs Motorwerks, we’re equipped with the latest diagnostic tools. Combined with over 125 years of combined experience amongst our passionate team of ASE certified technicians. We are more than able to take care of all your brake maintenance requirements. Make a wise and safe decision by ensuring that your brakes are at full operating capacity. Call us today at (954) 746-0488.