Brakes: Everything you need to know

Your brakes are one of the most important parts of your vehicle and if you are not maintaining them correctly it can be disastrous. You need to be checking your brakes so that you can change at the right time.

When is the right time to change brake pads?

Most mechanics will tell you it is it is time to change your brakes when the brake pad linking is between 3mm and 4mm. A new brake lining is 12mm so when it gets done to 4mm a significant amount has been used and you will probably start hearing it. Mayne Automotive has mechanics Ellerslie who will be able to offer you advice on whether or not your brake pads should be replaced.

Brake’s pad will wear out at different times. There are a few factors that will impact on the performance of your brake pads.

• Your driving habits. If you push your brakes really hard every time, it will have an impact on how long they last. When you gradually stop, you will increase the lifespan of your brake pads. Obviously sometimes situations arise when you do need to slam on those brakes, but this should be the exception not the norm.

• Your environment. Do you spend a lot of time in stop-go traffic or driving around the city? This environment is harder on your brakes than if you were driving long, straight roads. Driving in very mountainous areas also impacts your brakes and will wear them out quicker as you will have to step on the brakes more often to control your speed going downhill.

• The brake pad hardness. You can get brakes in different compounds to suit different driving needs. Hard compound brakes do tend to last longer but for them to perform well they need to be warm, and these brakes are generally used on performance cards. Softer compound brake pads do better on cars that go at lower speeds.

• The materials the brakes are made from. Carbon-ceramic brakes will last longer than standard metal brakes, but they will need to be warmer to be effective and they are very expensive. Steel or metal brakes are much more common and are suitable for a variety of different driving conditions.

Generally, if your brakes are nearing the end of their life, they will start making a squealing noise or your car will start vibrating, letting you know something is wrong. If this starts to happen it is important to find your nearest brake repair center and get your brakes looked at immediately. Ignoring this warning could impact not only on your safety but those around you as well.

Mayne Automotive can help you with brake repairs Three Kings, brake repairs Hillsborough and brake repairs Epsom.