The brake pads on your car will last anywhere from 25,000 to 65,000 miles, giving your brake pads an average lifespan of about 45,000 miles. Your driving habits will impact how long your brake pads last, as well as the type of brake pads you have on your vehicle. When you drive slower and you pay attention to how much cargo you haul around, you can help extend the life of your brake pads. Other issues can occur with your brakes, and you will know that your brakes are having a problem if your car suddenly starts pulling to one side when you stop or your brakes are squealing when you try to stop your vehicle.
Don't Ignore Your Brake Warning Light
Your warning lights are a big clue as to what is going on with your vehicle. If the brake warning light goes on, pay attention. This means that there is a problem with your brake system, and you can end up losing your ability to stop your car if you don't get the issue fixed. You might have low brake fluid, which will cause your brakes to fail.
Loud Noises When You Press Your Brakes
As brake pads wear down, the material hitting your rotors as you press the brake pedal changes. This will cause a strange sound when you use the brakes, which means you need to have your brakes serviced. You might hear a grinding noise. This indicates that you have part of the caliper hitting the rotor disc because the brake pad is worn out. You need to have your brakes repaired immediately when you hear a grinding noise.
Spongy Brake Pedal
Your brake pedal can give you a warning that your brakes are starting to wear out. If your brake pedal feels different, you probably need your brakes serviced. You might notice that you have to press your brake pedal almost to the floor or it feels spongy when you press on it. When you have to press your brake pedal harder than normal, this usually means you need new brake fluid because of a leak in the system.
Pay attention to common signs of brake problems, and bring your car in for service when you note a problem. If your car is pulling to one side when you are braking, eventually your brakes are going to fail completely and put you in a dangerous position.
For more information, contact a brake repair service.
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