Tag: Brake Pads Replacement

TIPS TO MAKE BRAKE PADS LAST LONGER

Here are some tips that professional mechanics would suggest to help brake pads last longer.

SPEED CONTROL
The brake pads get most affected when you press the brake to stop at high speeds. The higher the speed, the more heat the brake pads would have to deal with. It causes the brake pads to wear out quicker and needs to be stopped in order to make the brake pads last longer. Brake pads replacement is one auto repair that people don’t like to get done again and again but want it to last longer. Hence, taking some precautionary measures are better than regretting paying and visiting auto repair shops.

PEDAL CONTROL
People often ignore using the right foot to press the brake pedal. The brake pedal and accelerator should be pressed using the same foot by taking the force of one and pressing the other. If you use the left foot, their brakes might wear out sooner as the brake and accelerator are simultaneous without the driver knowing that he is making the mistake. You can notice that some cars when passing by having their brake lights on which happens to due people being unaware of the problem and using different feet to press the pedals.

SMOOTH DRIVING
Driving smoothly at a constant speed or going for a cruise rather than short drives is always better for brake pads. On long drives and cruises, you don’t have to press the pedal as often as you have to in the city. Don’t wait till you reach the bumps to press the brakes. Instead, keep an eye out for it and slow down according to prevent unwanted braking which causes unnecessary wear and tear to the brake pads.

KEEP THE CAR LIGHT
Make sure you don’t carry any unnecessary weight in the car. An overloaded or heavy car causes the brake pads to wear out quicker as it has to take more pressure. Avoid carrying any unwanted things in the car and just keep a basic emergency kit. If the car is heavy, it causes a problem to the tyres and affects the fuel economy.

BRAKE FLUID CHANGE
The brake fluid plays a really important role in the braking system and it needs to be changed on a timely basis to avoid brake pads from wearing out soon. The brake fluids keep the temperatures in control when there is excess heat generated due to emergency braking and high-speed braking.

Brake pad replacement doesn’t cost too much. But if you do the rash driving, you might require getting this auto repair done a lot. So follow few simple things and save money as well as time.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS

People tend to get confused when they hear the words brake pads, brake rotors or discs thinking they are similar or have the same function. This article will help you better understand the functions and importance of brake pads and rotors in the braking system.

WHAT ARE ROTORS?
Rotors are discs made from steel and iron. They connect to the axel and use brake pads and Calipers to control braking system. Brake rotors are also known as brake discs. Brake pads, rotors, and calipers together manage the braking of a car. The rotors absorb a lot of heat generated while braking.

WHAT ARE BRAKE PADS?
The part of the braking system which needs to be replaced more often than other parts. Brake pads are made of many components such as iron, copper, steel, and graphite combined together. They connect with the rotors and squeeze them to reduce the speed of the car and to stop it.

THEIR FUNCTIONING
Brake pads and rotors need to function together to reduce the speed or stop the car. The caliper is what binds the brake pads and rotors together for the proper functioning of the braking system. The caliper is like a clamp that connects the brake pads and rotors. When you press the brake pedal, its the caliper that forces the brake pads onto the rotors to stop the car. The calipers last for a long time.

The brake pads are the ones that need to be replaced on a timely basis due to constant wear and tear it takes. The brake pads last 25000-50000 miles and depend mostly on how you drive a car. Braking unnecessarily and applying short brakes can cause more damage to the brake pads. The same goes for rotors, they also take a lot of wear and tear but are built to last longer. The rotors get damage when the brake pads wear out but you don’t get them replaced. It causes the smooth surface of the rotors to become rough and causes it to lose grip and create squeaking sound.The rotors should be diagnosed every time you get your brake pads replaced and should be resurfaced or replaced if necessary. The rotors usually last around 30000-70000 miles.

The main difference between brake pads and rotors even though they work for the same cause is of its functionality. One applies the pressure, while the other absorbs the heat created by the pressure to stop the car.