WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BRAKES IN NEWCASTLE & LAKE MACQUARIE

As all vehicles are different, and drivers treat them differently, the useful “life” of brake pads can vary widely. Brake pads also come in many degrees of quality. First, make sure you use an OE (Original Equipment) quality brake pad.

Three factors can determine brake pad life:

1. The vehicle type is a significant factor. Are you driving a small car, sports car or a commercial ute/truck? All vehicles are designed to do different things; therefore, they have brake systems designed for that function.

2. In what environment are you driving? A vehicle that is primarily on the highway will have brake pads that last 2 to 3 times longer than a vehicle in the city. Heat is a factor of the environment as well.

3. YOU. The person driving this vehicle is the most significant factor. Everyone has different driving styles. An experienced driver may not wear brake pads as fast as a teenage driver. A construction worker will work the brakes with heavy loads, while most private motorists will not. The driver will make the most impact on the brake pad “life”.

1. Do you hear noise when braking? Is it a grinding, screeching, growling, or chirping?

2. Does your brake pedal feel lower, or does the pedal travel further than it used to?

3. Front brakes average 45,000ks. If you live in a hilly area or do a lot of city stop-and-go driving, it could be much less.

4. Rear brakes usually wear much slower and have up to 60,000+ ks on average. Hilly areas or frequent stop-and-go driving will decrease the life of your braking components.

The problem could range from a simple adjustment, air in the brake system or the most severe - total brake failure. Having a professional perform the necessary bleed, adjustments and inspection to determine the exact nature of the problem would be advised. Due to anti-lock brakes and the ever-increasing complexity of brake systems, it is not a good idea to allow a “shade-tree” mechanic or yourself to risk damage to extremely expensive components. It is better to let a certified technician perform the task.