What Are Brake Pads and Why Do They Need Replacing?
Brake pads are a vital safety feature in vehicles, but they are only effective when they are in good condition. If you have your car for a few years your garage will likely want to change your brake pads more than once. Some car owners can be sceptical as to whether that is really necessary. So, in this article, we’re going to explain what brake pads are, and why they need replacing.
What are brake pads?
As a responsible driver, keeping your car in tiptop shape is important for your safety. As well as that of other motorists and your passengers. One crucial component that requires attention is the brake pads. These are the parts of your car’s braking system that press against the rotor to slow down the vehicle.
Looking at the image below, we’ve labelled parts of the wheel so you can see how the brakes work and where the brake pads are. There is a brake pad on either side of the rotor, held in place by the caliper. The caliper keeps the brake pads from touching the rotor when you’re not braking.
When you brake, the piston makes the caliper close the two brake pads together, causing the rotor to stop turning. The wheel is attached to the rotor and that is what stops the car moving.
Brake pads are made of a variety of materials including organic materials such as rubber. They can also be made of metal and ceramic. According to the Department of Transport, in Great Britain in 2018 alone, defective brakes were a contributing factor for over 500 car accidents a year. Overall in that year, defective brakes was the main cause of fatal, serious and slight road accidents among accidents that were caused by vehicle defects.
Why do brake pads wear out?
Over time, the friction material a brake pad is made of will wear out and this can be caused by simply using it, or because something is wrong.
Between 30,000 and 70,000 miles is when most manufacturers say their brake pads will wear out. The lower end could be because of the material they are made of. Organic brake pads, for example, are cheaper than ceramic brake pads, but they will wear out much quicker. This means you will have to replace organic brake pads more often.
In the image below, you can see the difference between two brake pads when one is old. When they are left with no frictional material, the brakes will not work effectively and become incredibly dangerous to drive with.
Brake pads can wear out quicker for people who live in a very hilly area or are stuck in stop-start traffic a lot. This is simply because they are using their brakes much more often than someone in the same car, living in a flat area with little traffic.
If your brake pads are wearing out unevenly this is something your mechanic will notice when they check them. Brake pads wearing out unevenly could be a sign that something is wrong with the braking system or other components of the car.
A mechanic will give your brake pads a visual check but there are other signs that your brake pads or brake system has a problem, you can read about these signs here.
How to make your brake pads last longer
A few different factors can reduce the pressure on your brake pads. Aside from living in a flat area with no traffic as discussed above.
Using your brakes gradually and gently is a smoother way to stop. This is better for your brake pads than slamming them down at the last moment. Therefore, paying attention to the traffic around you and braking sooner rather than later is ideal.
Speeding will more often than not, cause motorists to brake harshly, so avoid speeding.
Keeping your vehicle light will also reduce pressure on the brake pads when you apply the brakes. You may not be able to avoid carrying passengers, but removing items you don’t need will help. If you’re not using the roof-rack for example, that will reduce the weight of your car.
As a responsible car owner, it’s important to understand the significance of having brake pads in good condition. They are a vital component of your vehicle’s braking system. Looking after them proactively will save money in the long run. Although they can seem like an expensive feature, the costs of replacing them when they are worn, are less than the cost of your brakes failing.
Not sure when the last time your brake pads were checked? Bring your vehicle to the team at Bodymek and we’ll be happy to take a look.
