Your car’s brake system consists of a variety of components.  In addition to the brake pedal your foot depresses, you may have heard about disc brakes, anti-lock brakes, brake lines, your car’s master cylinder, the booster, emergency brake, and drum brakes.  Brake pads are also important parts of this system.

Driving with brake pads that need replacing can be dangerous.  Thankfully, most disc brakes have a “wear indicator” that will inform you your brakes need replacement.  Unlike a dashboard warning light, the “wear indicator” is a piece of metal that begins to touch the brake rotor once the pad wears down over time.  The result?  An audible screeching sound every time you apply the brakes!  If you hear such a noise, it’s time to get your car’s brakes checked out, fast.  In addition to the annoying, high-pitched, fingernails-on-the-blackboard warning sound, a worn-out brake pad often makes deep scores in the brake rotor.  (Scores look kind of like the grooves on old records.)  If you see them, you definitely need new break pads, and if they are especially deep (because you failed to take your car in for recommended, routine maintenance) the rotor may even need to be replaced; a set of rotors comes at a price.

Brake pads last an average of 10,000 miles, but this varies based on your vehicle and driving style.  Avoid tailgating, “riding” your brakes, and driving too fast (then slamming on the brakes), to lengthen the life of your brake pads.  If you travel down steep hills a lot, try using a lower gear, too, instead of just braking all the time.  Your brake pads will thank you!

If you hear squealing when you apply your brakes, or if they are not responding the way you think they should, stop in at MOTEC Auto Care Clinics’ San Diego location.  MOTEC will make sure your braking system is in tiptop shape.  (This system includes your brake pads, too!)  And all brake pads from MOTEC come with a lifetime parts guarantee.  Why wait?  Be safe, and stop by today!