How Often Should You Have Your Brake Pads Replaced
Brake pads are a vital part of your braking system. They slowly wear out over time, and worn pads have a major impact on your braking safety.
As your Porsche center, we want to tell you more about what the pads do, how often you need new brake pads, and the signs you need an early pad replacement.
How Often Do You Need New Brake Pads From Your Porsche Center?
What Pads Do
Brake pads fit into the brake caliper, and a set of calipers is positioned above each wheel rotor. When you hit the brakes, pressurized brake fluid forces the pins out of the calipers, and they close on either side of each spinning rotor. The brake pads generate friction as they’re squeezed against the rotors, and the friction brings the rotors to a stop.
Each brake pad has a friction material covering that is 1/2″ thick when it’s new. The material slowly wears off due to the friction, and when the pad thickness drops to 1/4″, the pads need replacement.
When To Replace Pads
On average, you need a brake pad replacement every 25,000 to 70,000 miles, although this can vary depending on your Porsche model and the type of pads installed. A pad’s life expectancy is affected by your driving habits. If you often drive in cities or in heavy traffic, you brake more often and this increases wear. The correct replacement time for your pads is explained in your car service manual.
Signs You Need New Pads
Your Porsche has a brake pad warning light that will illuminate if your pads need to be changed. Sensors are connected to the pads and automatically inform your computer, which switches on the brake pad light. The sensors are very sensitive, and warn you with sufficient time to replace the pads before any issue develops. In addition, strange noises when you brake can also signal failing pads. Let’s look at two examples below.
Screeching Noises
A high-pitched screeching sound from your brake is a warning that at least one pad has worn down. The noise is caused by a metal spike that scratches against the rotor. The spike is buried within the friction material and only becomes visible when the material has worn down to 1/4″ thickness. The spike doesn’t cause any damage to the rotor. Once we replace worn pads, the noises will cease.
Grinding Noises
A harsh grinding noise from the brakes represents a more serious problem. If a worn pad isn’t replaced at the correct time, the friction material will eventually wear off. When this happens, the metal brake pads clamp against the rotors and scour them. If the damaged pads aren’t replaced immediately, they can damage the rotors.
Brake pad replacement is a quick process and dramatically improves braking performance. Contact us today at Porsche Chantilly in Chantilly, VA.