When it comes to car safety, brakes are one of the most critical components of your vehicle. They can easily be the difference between life and death. But just like any other mechanical part, brakes experience wear over time and become less effective. This makes them a priority area every time you take your car to the auto body shop for servicing. Here’s how often you should seek brake pad replacement services.

What are the signs you need to change your brakes?

As mentioned earlier, brake pads wear over time and may start to fail, putting your life at risk when on the road. Luckily, there are warning signs that should prompt you to act early to prevent an undesirable situation. Some of the symptoms of worn-out brakes include:

Sudden brake failure

If your car takes too long to stop after braking, something might be wrong with your brakes. The implication is that no resistance was felt when applying pressure to the brake pedal, which points to worn-out brake pads. This often occurs when brakes are not serviced in time and is an immediate cause for concern since you could lose control of your vehicle at any moment.

Unusual vibrations or sounds

Do you hear strange screeching and grinding sounds every time you stop? Or does the car vibrate after coming to a complete stop? This is caused by worn-out brake pads scraping against the brake rotor. As time passes, this can have adverse effects on your safety, making it essential to attend to your vehicle’s brakes immediately.

The smell of burning rubber

Does your car smell like burnt rubber when you step on the brakes? If yes, it has crossed the safety threshold. With time, brake pads wear out and start to produce a burning smell caused by friction between the metal parts as they contact each other during the braking process. This can result in possible accidents if left unattended for too long.

The brake pad indicator light is on

Almost all vehicles manufactured in the United States are mandated to have a brake light. This essential safety feature comes with your vehicle’s dashboard to indicate when to change your brakes. It works by lighting up or blinking under-hood warning lamp when one of the four-disc brakes wears down significantly. So, if this indicator is on and blinking solid, it means that there’s a problem with your car’s braking system and should be attended to asap.

Brake pads appear thin or worn out

Another sign that you need brake pad replacement is when the pads appear thin or seem to have been used extensively. This occurs due to degeneration over months of use, rendering them less effective. If you don’t replace worn brake pads in time, it will reduce braking capacity, putting you and your passengers at risk.

How often should you change your brakes?

The general rule for brake replacement is to replace the pads every 20,000 miles or 24 months. This time frame applies to all vehicles, even if they are driven on rough terrains that usually accelerate the wear and tear of brakes compared to standard road cars. In any case, it’s always best to ask your mechanic when you take your vehicle in for servicing. Meanwhile, brake rotors last longer and should be replaced after 50,000-70,000 miles.

How long does it take to change brakes?

It generally takes around one hour to change your brakes by a professional. It’s advisable not to attempt this yourself unless you are an experienced mechanic since the job requires specific technical know-how beyond basic expertise. But if this is something that interests you, make sure you get all the necessary tools for a successful change before starting. Always consult with your mechanic on the best way to go about it.

How much does brake pads replacement cost?



The price of replacing brakes can vary depending on the make and model of your car, parts, the severity of the issue, and the auto shop you choose.