Your brakes are the most important safety feature on your Volkswagen, as they give you the ability to control your speed at all times. The pads are a vital part of this system, as they provide the additional friction that can stop your car faster. Brake pads will wear down, so it’s important to plan for their replacement. This is some advice from your Volkswagen dealer on replacement.
How Often Should Your Brake Pads Be Changed at Your Volkswagen Dealer?
What Do the Pads Do?
The pads are attached to the calipers that fit above your car’s wheel rotors. When you apply the brakes, brake fluid exerts hydraulic pressure on the calipers to cause them to close. The calipers will clamp onto both sides of the wheel rotors, and the friction generated by the pads will bring your wheels to a stop. The pads are covered in a friction-resistant covering to make braking easier.
When Should the Pads Be Changed?
Your car’s service schedule provides the recommended time for changing the pads, roughly every 20,000 to 60,000 miles. These figures are subjective, as driving habits and conditions can easily cause the pads to wear out faster. If, for example, you live in an area where you often drive downhill, your pads will likely need to be replaced sooner.
When you drive downhill, especially on a curving road, you will often ride the brakes to keep control over your car. Over time, however, this practice will wear down your pads much faster. Your car will also show clear signs that your pads need to be replaced. These are a few signs that it’s time to replace your pads:
Screeching Brakes
Screeching noises from the brakes are a sign that the friction material covering the pads has worn down and it’s time to replace them. When the covering has reached a level that it needs to be prepared, a piece of metal will become visible in the pad. This metal will scrap against the rotor when you use the brakes. This screeching sound is a warning it’s time to change your pads.
Grinding Brakes
This is a more serious and worrying problem. If your pads aren’t replaced when they start to screech, the material will configure to wear off. Once the material is removed, the metal of the pad will directly contact the metal of the rotor. This causes a harsh grinding sound, as the metal pads begin to cut into the rotor. Your pads need to be changed right away.
Your Pads Are Thin
You’re not able to see all of your braking system, but you can see the pads through the spokes of the wheel. You may need to remove the wheel to get a clearer view of each pad. If the pad is 1/4″ thick or less, the pad has worn out and needs to be replaced.
When you need new pads, call our service department right away at Crain Volkswagen of Fayetteville, and we’ll fit them for you.
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