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The following is excerpted from a recent consumer blog post by Goodyear Brakes offering information on determining when the time has come to change one’s brakes.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — How do you know when to change your brakes? A general rule of thumb is to replace your brake pads every 35,000 miles — but rules of thumb only get you so far. What if you have high-performance pads installed? Or what if you live out in the country and you don’t have to deal with heavy traffic every day? What about other key components of the braking assembly, such as calipers and rotors?
The automotive experts at FDP Virginia Inc., which develops and sells Goodyear Brakes, offer some tips for assessing the health of your vehicle’s braking system, as well as advanced solutions for addressing any issues. The new line of Goodyear Brakes provides premium quality brake kits, calipers, rotors, brake pads that are made in the U.S.A., and all the hardware for today’s most popular vehicles, from daily drivers to SUVs and light trucks, all backed by a national warranty, decades of production experience and one of the best-known names in automotive excellence. The Goodyear Brakes product lineup offers the ideal solution for almost every braking need – whether you are looking to save money on your vehicle repairs, upgrade your performance or restore your perfect car.
Related post:
Goodyear Brakes Adds Premium Brake Pads
Consider that your brakes degrade a little bit every single time you use them. Because brakes are so important to car safety, they give you clear signs when it’s time to replace them. Exactly when that is — and what those signs are — varies from car to car and across different environments.
How Do I Know When to Change My Brakes?
Though brake pads are made of resistant material, they’re put under immense strain every time you hit the brakes, and eventually, they’ll wear away completely. Before that happens, you’ll notice a series of changes in how they’re looking, sounding and functioning.
– Brake pads are worn thin — The easiest way to tell if your brake pads need to be replaced is just to look at them. You should be able to see how thick your brake pads are through the spokes of your wheel. If your brake pads are less than a quarter-inch thick (about the same width as a pencil), this means they’re ready to be replaced.
– Brakes are making screeching, squealing, or grinding sounds — Brake pads are designed to give you auditory feedback when it’s time to change them. Depending on your car and the type of brake pad you have installed, a number of different sounds can clue you in. Are your brakes screeching or squealing all the time? It’s normal to hear a squealing sound if you hit the brakes at high speed or if you’re braking in wet weather conditions. What isn’t normal is hearing your brakes squeal nearly every time they’re applied. Constant squealing indicates that your brake pads might be worn down. You also want to listen up for a deeper grinding noise. Some brake pads have a small, embedded metal finger that will start to scrape against the rotor as the pad wears out. If you hear your brakes grinding, this means that your pads are likely in need of replacement.
– Your brake pedal is vibrating — Brake pedal vibration points to worn brake pads, but it also indicates issues with your rotor. Pedal vibration can make it harder to brake and can increase stopping time. If you feel your brake pedal vibrating, it’s likely time to think about replacing your brakes.
To view the entire blog post, click HERE.
