The brake system on a vehicle consists of several different components including brake pads, rotors, aid calipers. This system is an important safety feature that requires regular maintenance to make sure it’s operating appropriately. Without a properly working brake system, a vehicle will not stop in a timely fashion and could lead to an accident.

The general recommendation is to change the brake pads on a vehicle every 50,000 miles. However, under certain circumstances, some drivers may need to change their brakes every 25,0000 miles while others won’t need to change their brakes until they’ve reached 70,000 miles. How soon a driver needs to service their brakes depends on several factors such as environment, driving habits, and types of brake pads.

What Causes Brakes To Wear Faster

The frequency in which a driver needs to service their brakes depends on several different factors. One of the most important factors include the drivers overall driving habits. A driver who continuously riding their brakes and stops suddenly, will need new brakes sooner than a driver who gradually comes to a stop. Also, drivers who regularly check and maintain their brake system will need fewer trips to the service shop then those who neglect their braking system altogether. In fact, drivers who use of a brake cleaner to keep the brake system running efficiently can prolong its lifespan by several thousand miles.

Even more so, the area a driver spends most of their time driving greatly impacts the lifespan of their brakes. If a driver spends most of their time traveling in the city, they’ll need to service their brakes sooner than someone who drives mostly in the country. All of the stop lights, stop signs, and traffic in the city causes the driver to break more and wear down the brakes.

Furthermore, how often a driver needs to service their brakes depends on the materials that the brakes consist of. A steel or other metal made brake system will not last as long as brakes made from carbon-ceramic. Which makes choosing the right type of brakes for a vehicle one of the most important steps to prolonging the lifespan of its braking system.

Signs A Vehicle Needs New Brakes

The first step to determine whether a vehicle needs ita brakes serviced is through a general inspection. A driver can do a quick inspection of their vehicle to look for thinning brake pads, worn or rusted rotors, and sticking calipers. Drivers should also check their brake lines to see if their vehicle leaks brake fluid. Any signs of wear, leaking, or damage will require a trip to the service shop for new brakes.

Another sign of a worn brake system on a vehicle includes a squeaking, grinding, or scraping noise. These noises are often heard when a driver applies pressure on the brakes or when the driver releases the brakes. More often than not, these noises will also appear when the driver turns or when they’re driving up steep terrain.

Furthermore, when the brakes begin to wear out, they won’t work as effectively as they should. This results in it taking longer to stop a vehicle than it normally would. If a vehicle doesn’t stop as quickly as it used to, it’s a clear sign that part of the brake system needs attention. Also, keep an eye out for a brake light warning signal on the dashboard of the vehicle.

How To Preserve A Vehicles Brakes

While servicing the brakes on a vehicle is inevitable, there’s some things a driver can do to extend the brake systems lifespan. For starters, drivers should pay attention to their own driving habits and work to improve how hard they break during their everyday driving. This will have the biggest impact on preventing as much damage to the brakes as possible.

More so, drivers who regularly maintain their brake system tend to service their brakes less often than drivers who don’t. This means keeping a close eye on brake fluid and refilling when necessary, inspecting the brake system for faulty or worn parts, and using a high-quality brake cleaner to keep everything operating smoothly