Do you know that most of the accidents that occur in the world, the majority of them happen due to poor car maintenance? However, the poor maintenance is primarily due to deteriorated brake pads, which result in brutal car accidents.
The most frequently asked question from experts of BMW Service in Abu Dhabi narrate how long does the brake pad last? This is a crucial subject since driving with brake pads that are damaged is quite risky. Experts say that understanding how brake pads operate is essential in determining how long Brake pads last.
How do the Brake Pads Operate?
As the phrase goes, the devil is always in the details, and the reason brake pads deteriorate is also in the way they work. According to experts, when you apply the brakes on your car, a component called the brake caliper applies pressure to the rotors. The rotors are coupled to your car’s front wheels. The brake calipers exert pressure on the rotors to keep the wheels from spinning when you step on the brake pedal. This is how the braking system functions.
Due to friction and severe temperatures, brake pads degrade with time. They will become less efficient with time and will need to be replaced; otherwise, your vehicle may fail to stop in time, resulting in an accident.
Now that you know the operational process of the brake pads, it would be easier for you to understand how long do braked pads usually last?
How Long do Brake Pads Last?
Although the rule states that the more you use the brake pad, the sooner it will deteriorate. This is not always the case. With regular wear and tear, conventional brake pads can last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles or 3 to 7 years. There are, though, some factors upon which the life span of brake pads depends upon. Some of the elements are as under:
- The rough usage of brakes is the first element that reduces the life span of brake pads. When you slam on the brakes, you exert too much pressure on the brake pads, which causes them to degrade quickly. Driving within speed restrictions is recommended so that you don’t have to brake too hard to stop the automobile on the spot.
- The second reason may appear insignificant initially, but it can result in significant brake pad wear and tear over time. This occurs when people try to use both the brake and the accelerator simultaneously, rather than taking one foot off the throttle to apply the brake. To stop the car, some people lift their foot off the throttle pedal and place it on the brake pedal. This is the proper procedure. Other folks accelerate with their right foot and brake with their left foot. As a result, when the left foot presses the brake pedal, the right foot will still be on the gas pedal for a few seconds.
- The excess weight is the third and most visible factor. A light car is more straightforward to stop than a heavy vehicle. As a result, the more weight you bear, the faster your brake pads will wear out. It’s great if you need to carry people but look inside your car to see if there are any needless weights you can eliminate, such as bottles of water, full bags of products, or heavy items in your trunk, etc.
Since now you know how long do they last, but how would you differentiate between a working brake pad and a worn-out brake pad since they aren’t truly visible? A question that arises in the mind of a lot of drivers. To answer this question, the following are some of the signs that would make it evident for you to get your brakes pads being looked at by a professional.
- When your car takes longer than usual to stop, this is the first and most evident indicator. This sign does not require any level of expertise to notice; even a novice can detect it.
- Another clue that the brake pads need to be replaced is if the car leans slightly to the left or right when you apply the brakes; this could indicate that the brakes are unevenly worn out. When driving in a straight path, you will be able to see this more clearly.
- Another sign that the brake pad needs to be replaced is when the automobile vibrates when the brakes are engaged. When your car slows down, it’s not unusual for the brake pedal to shake. At the same time, strange noises from your vehicle when you press the brakes are not typical. These are typically signing that the brake pads have deteriorated to the point that you or the driver must change them.
Conclusion
Nevertheless, now you know how long does the brake pads last. One thing that you must keep in mind is that whatever was discussed earlier regarding the braked pads is entirely theoretical. If we talk about practicality, the life span of the brake pads depends altogether on the way you drive your vehicle.