Keeping up with brake maintenance by replacing worn parts like brake pads and brake shows will save you money and also keep you and your vehicle safe. How do you know when it’s time to replace your brakes’ pads or shoes? What do they even do? Let’s dive in and explain the what, how, and why of brake pads and/or shoes on your vehicle and how our Indianapolis service center can help.
Auto manufacturers put two types of brakes into passenger vehicles: disc brakes and drum brakes. Both of these use friction to slow your vehicle, but there are some differences.
When a drive steps on the brakes in a vehicle with disc brakes, the “pads” of specially engineered pieces of friction material press against a rotor or “disc.” Drum brakes also use this friction material made of organic, metallic, or ceramic substances, however the material is affixed to half-moon shaped “shoes.” These brake shoes press against the inside of a drum when you push on your brakes. The friction against the drum slows the vehicle. On modern cars, drum brakes are only installed on the rear axle.
Each time you use your vehicle’s brakes, a small amount of the friction material is worn off the pads and/or shoes. With time and use, the friction material becomes thinner and if brake shoes and pads aren’t replaced, the friction material can even be worn off in its entirety. This ultimately will leave the steel pieces that held the friction material exposed. When these steel pieces come into contact with the discs or drums, you may experience longer distance needed to brake as well as damage to the discs and drums.
If you notice screeching noises, see less than a quarter inch of brake pad on disc brakes, hear a deep metallic grinding or growling coming from your vehicle when driving, or see an indicator light, it’s time to schedule an appointment in order to protect both yourself and your vehicle.
The life span of brake shoes and brake pads varies from vehicle to vehicle and also driver to driver. For example, if you’re commonly driving in downtown Indianapolis or commuting into the city during rush hour, you’ll be engaging your brakes a lot more often than someone who mostly drives in rural areas or on highways. Drivers that “ride the brake,” meaning they press and release their brakes more than other drivers, which can lead to brake pads wearing more quickly. Typically, brake pads and shoes are good for 30,000 to 35,000 miles in city or heavier traffic use. If you primarily use your vehicle for highway driving in light traffic, your brakes may last 80,000 miles or more.
If it’s time to replace your brake shoes or brake pads, come see us at Ed Martin Nissan. Right now you can schedule service online.