As a car owner, it’s essential to stay alert to the squeaking noises to scraping or grinding sounds and reduced brake responsiveness. Given how crucial your brakes are as a key component to your car, knowing the signs you may need new brake pads can help ensure you stay on top of this important part of vehicle maintenance.
In this article, we get to unpack common signs you should pay attention to and anything else you need to know to ensure your brakes are working correctly.
What are the parts of the brake system?
First and foremost, it’s important to understand the anatomy of your brakes, so you can better figure out when components need replacing.
Here's an overview of the parts of a car's brake system:
Signs It’s Time to Replace your Brake Pads
- Slow Stopping Response
If you notice your brakes feel less responsive as it should be or require more pressure to stop your vehicle, it may be an indicator of worn brake pads.
- Vibration When Braking
Pulsations or vibrations in the brake pedal or steering wheel when you apply the brakes can signal warped brake rotors, hence, ignoring this symptom can lead to further damage and unsafe driving conditions.
- Soft or Spongy Brake Pedal
Should the brake pedal feel differently, either low or spongy, and takes more effort to apply, this means there's a potential problem with the brake system that should be promptly diagnosed at your nearest tyre center or workshop.
- Grinding Noise When Braking
Experiencing grinding metallic sound when braking mandates immediate professional inspection as it may be a sign your brake pads are severely worn. This sound often implies that you have very little brake pad thickness left, which can cause damage to other parts of your vehicle.
- Car Pulling to the side.
Have you ever experienced some invisible force pulling your vehicle to one side while you press your brake pedal? If yes, this may mean that the brake lining is experiencing uneven wear, which typically results from an issue with the caliper and requires an adjustment.
- Visible Signs of Wear and Tear
A visual inspection is one way to check the condition of your car’s brake pads for wear and tear.
If the pad material is less than ¼ inch thick, then it's time to consider installing new brake pads to help ensure optimal braking performance and safety of your vehicle.
Conclusion
Whereas we highly recommend good driving habits to extend the life of your brakes, should your vehicle show any signs of worn brakes, you should bring your car to a Tire World Ltd branch near you where our specialists will conduct a thorough brake servicing and overall car services.
Stay on top of your vehicle’s maintenance with Tire World Ltd, and we’ll certainly help you avoid expensive and preventable repairs. Let us schedule your brake service appointment!