As a part of your vehicle that you do not necessarily see every day but are a vital part of the running and safety of your vehicle, your brake pads should be in tip-top condition. Brake pad wear is very common and can happen at any time in the cars life, and will probably happen more than once. Over time your brakes often become more worn and will start to wear down. Unfortunately, it is not something you can really prevent. However, there are a few things you can do to see if you have brake pad wear, read on to find out more.

How can I check for brake pad wear?

There are a couple of things you are going to want to do when it comes to checking your brake pads; firstly you will need to look, and then you will need to listen. Look through your vehicles wheel spokes; you will be able to see if your brake pads are worn down or whether they are currently okay. You will then want to listen out for your brakes if you can hear a scratching this often means your brake pads are to the bare minimum. It will make a noise every time you brake; there should be roughly around a quarter of an inch on the pads, if there is not you will most definitely need your brake pads replacing. We always recommend getting them done as soon as possible otherwise you might find your car fails its MOT in Milton Keynes.

Luckily for those who have modern cars, your vehicle will be able to tell you when your car brake pads may need replacing. Your vehicle will have a built-in sensor which will be able to tell you when your brake pads are coming close to needing replacing. We always suggest when your warning light comes on your car, you should never leave it too late to book in for a brake pad replacement, as you can cause more damage to your vehicle by doing so.

Why is it taking longer to brake?

If you believe it is taking you longer to brake, then it is most likely your brake pads are significantly worn. You may find they become less responsive; this can also indicate other problems with your car such as a brake fluid leak. While this is not directly linked to your brake pad wear, it is always advised you have this looked at by a qualified mechanic. It could also if left affect the overall running of your vehicle, making it a hazard to not only yourself but also other people who use the roads.

If you are unsure of whether you have a leak, one of the best ways to check is to push the brake pedal and assess whether it can be pushed down usually. Alternatively, you could take a look underneath your car, and if you notice a small puddle, this is probably your brake pads. If your vehicle does have a small leak you can fill it up yourself using Castrol React Performance, alternatively, you could also consider taking it to your local garage for a car service in Milton Keynes.

Why do brakes make noise?

If you have noticed whenever you brake you can hear a considerable amount of noise or screeching, it is often an indication the pads are so worn they are now scraping down to the brake discs. The reason you can hear this screeching is on one of the discs you have a small piece of metal called an indicator which helps inform you that you need to get your brakes looked at. You should be able to hear this even if your windows are up, so if you do hear anything do not ignore it.

A common occurrence when the weather is relatively wet, i.e. it has been raining, and you have not used your car in a while. A thin layer of rust can form on the brake discs. Which when first used can sometimes make a bit of a squeak. It is normal for this to occur and should not worry you, however, if the noise is non-stop you may want to have them looked at.

My car is pulling to one side

If you find that when you brake your car is leaning more to one side or is pulling in a specific direction the brake lining might be more worn on one side in comparison to the other. If this is the case, you may need your brake pads replaced. If this is not the case, you may find that their might be a foreign object in the brake fluid tank. It can also cause pulling on one side, if this is happening we recommend taking the car to your local garage.

How long do brake pads last?

Unfortunately, there are no specific times of when your brake pads will wear; it is normally down to the way your drive and where it is you might be driving. It is usually recommended by most mechanics to have your brake pads repaired every 50,000 miles. However, if you are driving in a location that requires a lot of stop starting, then you may need them sooner.

Milton Keynes is one of the worst places for brake pad wear. Unfortunately, due to all of the roundabouts, a lot of people reach up to the national speed limit and then need to brake heavier suddenly in comparison to traffic lights. If you are living or working in Milton Keynes, we recommend taking extra care of your brake pads.

Brake pad wear

Brakes are one of the most vital parts of the running of your car. They are put in place so you can make your car come to a stop, they are also a massive safety mechanism on the car, so having any problems can hinder the safety of yourself and other drivers. If you believe there to be anything wrong with your brakes, it is always highly recommended to have the vehicle booked in with your local garage as soon as possible.