How do you know if you need new brakes and how do you spot problems early? There are any number of things that can cause brake pad wear or damage and being able to spot early signs of brake system maintenance could help you down the line.

Why Brake Maintenance is Important

Brakes are not designed to last forever, but they are a vitally important feature in your car that you need to maintain for your own safety and the safety of your passengers. There are lots of signs to help you understand when your brake pads are wearing down and need replacing, or that you are experiencing a brake system issue and may need to have your brakes inspected by a professional.

Common Signs That You Need New Brakes

Brake Squealing and Grinding

When driving, your brakes should make little to no noise, but if you start to notice a squealing noise under braking, this is a sign that you should check your brake pads, as they will possibly need replacing. Some brake pads are designed with wear indicators. When they’ve worn down, special tabs cause a squealing noise – and this tells you that it’s time to get new ones.

If you ignore this for too long, you’ll wear the brake pads down completely and that squealing will turn to a grinding noise. Grinding means that you have worn right throught he lining into the metal backing. This will cause disc damage and will cost a lot more to replace than simply replacing the brake pads.

Pulling While Driving

If your vehicle pulls to the side while driving, or you feel it shudder under braking, this is an indicator of possible brake faults. It can also be a sign that something in your brake fluid system is causing uneven brake pressure. Both of these issues are cause for concern and you should have them checked by a mechanic as soon as possible.

Vibrating or Pulsing

Feeling vibrations or pulsations in your brakes indicates that you may have a problem with the discs. This is usually a result of uneven surface wear or warping but is a sign that you should have your brakes checked.

Spongy Brake Pedal

A “spongy” brake pedal is simply another way to describe how your brakes feel when you press down on the pedal. It may indicate that you have brake fluid leakage or possibly air in the brake system.

Likewise, if you notice that your vehicle doesn’t stop like it use to, this could be worn down brake pads, a brake fluid leak, or even a hydraulic system issue. It should go without saying that if you are finding it more difficult to stop your car, this is a safety issue that you need to have checked out immediately.

What Causes Brakes to Wear?

Brakes will wear down with use, this much is obvious, but there are other factors that can cause them to wear down sooner than brakes on another vehicle might. There might not be much you can do to mitigate these issues, but if you are aware of them, it might help you to stay more on top of your brake maintenance.

Driving your car in a city will involve more frequent braking than around country roads or motorway driving, thanks to all the traffic lights, roundabouts, and pedestrian crossings. So you can expect city cars to see faster brake wear than a countryside car. Having a heavier vehicle will also wear on your brakes quicker, as there’s a greater strain on the brakes. This doesn’t just refer to the size of the vehicle, but also the amount of luggage and number of passengers usually in your vehicle.

Another thing to be mindful of is the quality of your brakes; as with most things, the higher the quality the longer they will last. If you have been noticing heavy brake wear, or any of the above scenarios apply to you, if might be worth considering spending a little more on high quality brake pads now, to save you from having to replace them as much down the line.

How Long Should Brakes Last?

It’s hard to determine how long brakes can last, especially considering all of the factors that can cause them to wear unevenly or more heavily. This could be as few as 8,000 miles with heavy brake usage or a larger vehicle, but it could also be as many as 80,000 miles for a lighter vehicle driven on long distance motorway journeys or though countryside.

On some vehicles, you can inspect the outer brake pads for wear visually without removing the wheels but this doesn’t allow you to inspect the inner pads. For a thorough inspection the wheels should be removed. Brake pads should be at least 3.0mm thick, and any less than that is cause for you to come in and have them replaced.

During your annual MOT, only a visual inspection of your brakes will be carried out meaning that a thorough inspection is only done during your service. Your mechanic will tell you if your brake discs or pads are wearing down and due a replacement, or if there are any other issues with your brake system that need to be taken care of.

Replacing brake pads can cost anywhere between approximately £100-£500 depending on the vehicle, type of braking system and quality of the brakes you buy. You may also incur an additional cost for replacing your brake discs; these don’t have to be replaced at the same time as brake pads (unless there is sufficient damage or wear on them), but it’s always recommended that you do, for the overall performance of your braking system.

For more information or to book your appointment, call 0161 477 6266, email info@delany-motors.co.uk or book online.