Brake pads generally need to be replaced after about 80,000 km. If you’ve purchased non-OEM pads, they typically wear faster than OEM and need to be replaced in as little as 40,000 km while some OEM pads can last over 100, 000 km. In the end, it largely depends on your driving habits, the environment in which you drive and the quality of your break.
Keep in mind that if you let your brake pads completely wear down they can also cause groves to develop in the rotors and force a costly replacement of both!
How to tell when bakes need to be replaced:
- When your brake pads are thinner than ¼ inch
- You hear a high pitch screeching when you brake
- If your brakes are not as responsive as they should be or if the pedal “sinks” toward the floor, this could be an indication of a leak in the braking system
- If your vehicle “pulls” to one side while braking, it may be a sign that the brake linings are wearing unevenly or that there is foreign matter in the brake fluid.
- Hearing a loud metallic grinding sound while braking means that you have worn down the pads completely, most likely beyond replacement.
- You feel a vibration or pulsation when you brake, this is often a symptom of warped rotors