Car brake is among the essential components of a vehicle. It slows down a high-speed car or helps a car stop as fast as possible.
Most brake noises are considered normal as long as they do not make it difficult for the vehicle to operate.
But do not take this lightly. A continuous strange noise coming off the car brake may indicate a problem with the brake system. Your car’s brake system may require service or have already worn out.
Factors that affect car brake resistance
Type of car brake pad
Each brake pad has a different level of durability. There are four types of brake pads — metallic, semi-metallic, non-asbestos organic (NAO), low-metallic NAO, and synthetic (ceramic).
- Non-asbestos organic: Cheap but does not last long
- Metallic: May produce sounds. However, its lifespan is longer than the organic type
- Semi-metallic: Expensive and lasts long
- Synthetic (ceramic): More expensive than the other three brake pads and lasts long
Driving frequency
Your brake pad will wear faster if you often use it while driving. Usually, your front brake pads will wear out faster than your rear pads.
The front of your vehicle handles a lot more weight transfer as you brake, causing more wear.
Number of passengers
Do you always carry a lot of stuff in your car boot or have many passengers in your car?
It is more difficult for the brake to work, and it would require more pressure to stop the car if the load carried is heavy. Therefore, this will hurt your car brake pad’s durability.
Signs you need to change your car brake pads
When your car brakes start to make a noise, it is one of the signs you need to change the car brakes immediately.
Grinding noise
The brake pad will start producing a grinding noise as it begins to wear.
It is one of the signs that the car brake needs to be changed. The brake system on a car needs to be maintained consistently to keep your driving safe.
Less than ideal stoppage times
If you experience less than ideal stoppage times, your brake pads may have worn out, or your brake fluid is low often due to leakage.
It is most likely your car’s disc brakes are not able to provide enough durability to stop the kinetic energy on the spinning wheels.
The indicator light appears
Some cars are equipped with indicator symbols on the panel meter. These indicator symbols will light up to notify the driver of any problem or damage to your vehicle.
There is an indicator symbol that indicates the brake problem. The symbol indicates that your parking/emergency/hand-brake is currently engaged. It also means the fuel brake in the reservoir is depleting.
The problems happen due to the decreasing thickness of the brake pads.
Worn out disc brakes
Thinning and worn disc brakes must be replaced.
If the lipped brake disc touches the pad, you can see how the brake pad has eaten away at the disc’s surface.
Car brake pad inspection
Do inspection at a service center
Please send your car to a service centre for regular brake pad inspection.
The service centre must measure the brake pad thickness each time the car is sent for service. The inspection must be done every three or six months.
Do your own car brake inspection
You may also do your brake pad inspection by referring to your car manual.
First, you must know that each brake pad has a metal marker that will produce a sound when pressed. If you hear any noise while using the brake, note that your brake pad is wearing out.
You are advised to change the brake pad as it will no longer function properly. The brake system indicator light will also appear on the dashboard if the pads wear.
Secondly, you can estimate your brake pad’s condition through its mileage.
If the car has been driven for more than a year or over 20,000km, the brake pad’s thickness should be monitored even though it may still be in good condition.
What happens if the car brake pad is not changed?
Causing accidents
The function of a car brake is to stop and slow the car’s movement.
A worn-out brake pad may no longer function effectively. As a result, your car may take longer than usual to stop when you press the brake pedal.
A failing brake pedal to stop on time will put the driver at high risk of an accident while driving on the road.
Damaging other components
In addition to stopping the vehicle, the brake pads also prevent direct friction between the braking surface and the wheels.
The friction of these two components will cause effects such as a squeaking sound and a burning smell on the back of the engine. Worse, the brakes and wheels can wear and deform.
Therefore, the next thing you should do is replace it with a new brake.
Please do not put off changing it as the damage may be hazardous. In addition to causing material loss, you are also endangering the safety of other road users.
Regularly do car brake pad inspection
Be careful when using your car if your brake pads start making noises frequently.
Immediately send your car to a service centre for inspection or repair. The longer your wait, the more expensive the repair can be.
Make sure you check your car before going for a long-distance trip. Ensure that your car insurance is active to avoid getting a summons. Visit Bjak to renew your insurance instantly. Start by getting free car insurance quotes online.
