How Long Do Brake Pads Last?
As you travel around Scarborough, Saco, and Portland, ME, you’re likely thinking about reaching your destination as fast and safe as possible. Part of that safe arrival includes having brake pads that can properly bring your vehicle to a stop.
As a major component of your vehicle, brake pads wear out over time.
At Mercedes-Benz of Scarborough, we’ve crafted this resource on brake pads to answer all your questions, including how long do brake pads last? Read on to learn more!
The Importance of Healthy Brake Pads
Before we discuss how long brake pads last, we first must discuss the role of this component and why it’s essential to drive with healthy brake pads.
Several components create the braking system of your vehicle, including:
- Rotors—These circular disks stop the wheels from spinning.
- Brake pads—These squeeze the rotors when pressure is applied to the brake pedal.
- Calipers—These hug the brake pads to the rotors when you brake.
If the brake pads on your vehicle are worn, you’ll likely notice more difficulty when braking. You may need to press harder than normal to brake, and you’ll likely see slower response times.
In addition to this hazard, worn brake pads may cause damage to the rest of the braking component, which could lead to a braking system failure.
How Long Do Brake Pads Last?
Brake pads play a huge role in your everyday commute. Due to this, it’s recommended that brake pads are inspected every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. This visual inspection by a trained professional will help identify if the pads are the correct thickness.
While some may require replacing sooner, most brake pads last about 25,000 to 65,000 miles.
Ways to Identify a Brake Pad Replacement Is Needed
In addition to routine inspections, there are several signs your vehicle may give that lets you know a brake replacement may be necessary. These signs include:
- Squealing sound—If you notice a high-pitched squealing sound when you apply pressure to the brake pads, that’s a good sign it’s time for a replacement. Brake pads are equipped with wear indicators. Once the brake pads thin, this indicator rubs against the metal rotor and produces the squealing sound.
- Vibrations—If the brake pads are worn, you may notice vibrations as you commute. These vibrations could be felt with the brake pad, steering wheel, or both.
- Dashboard lights—If your vehicle is equipped with the ASSYST PLUS system, you can check when the next brake pad replacement is due for your vehicle at any time.
If you notice any of these signs, give our team of certified technicians a call. They’ll use their skills and expertise to replace any necessary parts with genuine OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts—the same high-quality parts used when your model was crafted.
Schedule a Brake Pad Replacement at Mercedes-Benz of Scarborough
Now that you know how long brake pads last, is it time to schedule a brake pad replacement? If so, use our convenient online scheduler to reserve an appointment today. With the help of the experts at Mercedes-Benz of Scarborough, you’ll be back to cruising around Scarborough, Saco, and Portland, Maine, with healthy brakes in no time.
Contact our team with any questions you have or schedule a brake pad replacement today!