Top Signs Your Car Needs Brake Pad Replacement ASAP

Maintain Your Stopping Power With Lamb’s Tire & Automotive

Brakes are a vital component of your vehicle and are responsible for bringing you to a stop. However, your brake pads don't exactly have a gauge on them to let you know when they've worn down to their minimum thickness. While some vehicles have helpful sensors that tell you when your brake pads are low, most vehicles rely on you to recognize this yourself and bring your vehicle in for brake pad replacement.

At Lamb's Tire & Automotive, we know the importance of changing out your brake pads in a timely manner, and we understand how important it is to have qualified hands working on your vehicle at all times. To ensure that your vehicle is always in the best hands, we feature a team of ASE-certified mechanics who are experts in automotive service. Our experts can perform a quality brake pad check and, if necessary, perform a brake pad replacement.

Signs You Need Brake Pad Replacement

Because many vehicles do not feature specific brake pad sensors that notify you when your pads are low, you'll have to recognize the signs and symptoms on your own. Understanding different brake pad types, practicing proper brake pad maintenance, and knowing when to schedule a brake pad replacement service can help you stay on top of your vehicle's braking performance. Here are a few telltale signs that your brake pads are wearing thin:

Increased stopping distance. If you notice that it takes your vehicle longer to stop, you may need new brake pads. Worn-down brake pads can quickly overheat and lose their performance. Once your brakes have overheated, it may feel like your vehicle doesn’t want to stop — which can be both a scary and dangerous situation.
Squeaking or squealing. If you notice a high-pitch squeaking or squealing when you press your brake pedal, it's likely that your brake pads have worn thin. Many modern brake pads are built with a piece of metal inside that will squeak loudly when it makes contact with your rotor. This squealing is an audible warning that your brake pads have worn low and it's time for a brake pad replacement.
Grinding. Grinding is one of the telltale signs that your brakes have worn well past their minimum thickness. Continuing to use brake pads that have worn beyond their useful life could result in damage to your rotors and your calipers. If you notice a grinding noise when you depress the brakes, we recommend you schedule service at one of our facilities at your earliest convenience.
Steering wheel shaking. If your steering wheel shakes or your brake pedal vibrates when you depress the brakes, this could be the sign that your brake rotors need some attention. High heat can cause your brake rotors to warp. This can occur during times of emergency braking or even when descending on mountain roads.
Other ways to know. Understanding when you need to replace your brake pads does not require you to get underneath your car with a flashlight. In fact, one key way that many drivers find out that their brake pads are low is when they bring their vehicle in for a general service and their car receives a multi-point inspection.

At Lamb’s Tire & Automotive, we're more than happy to perform a brake check on your vehicle. Our experts are able to inspect your entire brake system and give you our most accurate report of your vehicle. Our brake report may also include some of the following:

Brake rotor condition
Brake fluid levels
Brake fluid condition
Brake line condition
Brake pad condition
Brake pedal feedback

Schedule a Brake Pad Replacement Service

How Long Do Brake Pads Usually Last?

The length of time and the number of miles that you’ll get out of a set of brake pads will largely depend on the type of brake pads you are using, the type of vehicle you drive, and your individual driving style. Brake pads can last anywhere between 15,000 and 60,000 miles. Where your vehicle falls depends on a few factors:

Closer to 15,000 miles: If you are someone who constantly slams on the brakes, or constantly uses your brake pedal to regulate your speed, you may notice that you need brake pad replacement as often as every 15,000 miles. This also applies to drivers who drive frequently in stop-and-go traffic or on busy urban streets. Additionally, vehicles that constantly tow heavy loads may need brake pad replacement more frequently than the average vehicle.

Closer to 60,000 miles: You’ll need brake pad replacement less often if you frequently drive on the highway without a lot of braking. Because open highways only require the use of brakes when exiting the freeway or to sharply slow the vehicle, cars, trucks, and SUVs largely driven on the highway need brake pad replacement less frequently.

In addition, hybrid and electric vehicles use regenerative braking and do not solely rely on the use of their brake pads. This extends the life of their brakes and allows drivers to often go beyond 60,000 miles without needing their brake pads replaced.

Schedule Brake Service Today

At Lamb's Tire & Automotive, we're dedicated to providing excellence in all areas of automotive service. Whether your vehicle is due for brake pad replacement or if you need a trustworthy brake check, look no further than our brake shop. Our qualified mechanics are experts in brake pad replacement services and can handle all of the maintenance and repair issues that your brake system may need.

Striving to keep all of your necessary service affordable, we feature competitive pricing so that you never have to break the bank to receive quality service. We even feature additional brake service and auto repair coupons that allow you to enjoy trusted service at unbeatable prices.

Schedule service at Lamb's Tire & Automotive today and maintain your vehicle stopping power with peace of mind.