Worn-Down Brake Pads

If you’re curious about your car’s braking system, consult your owner’s manual, but here’s a quick refresher on how your brakes work. There are four types of brakes (disc, drum, emergency and anti-lock), but the most common type are disc brakes. When you press your brake pedal, a set of calipers (equipped with pads), presses the rotors, or the discs. The brake pads create friction with the rotor to make your car slow down and stop when needed. Even if one of these parts — the calipers, pads, rotors, etc. — fail, the entire system is in jeopardy.

But what we see in our service department, however, are worn-out brake pads causing brake issues. Ideally a quarter of an inch thick, your brake pads will wear down over time, and if they aren’t replaced in time, they will cause damage to your vehicle’s rotors.

Frequent Stop-and-Go Traffic

Congested traffic impacts your brakes a good deal. With all the stopping, starting, slowing and veering, your brakes get a workout, which means soon they’ll wear down and need service. If you live in an area with frequent heavy traffic or have long work commutes, our technicians recommend getting your vehicle’s brakes checked when you have your tires rotated, or every six months. Those with aggressive driving habits might need to have their brakes checked more often, like with every oil change.

Warning Light Indicators

As with any warning light that appears on your dashboard, when your brake light turns on, it’s time for an inspection. If your car, truck or SUV takes longer to come to a complete stop, schedule your service as soon as possible. If you notice a strange vibration when you press the brake pedal, you might have a brake pad issue that needs to be fixed.

For your safety, most brakes have a built-in indicator that screeches or squeals when your vehicle’s brake pads need replacing. While the sound is jarring, this metal-on-metal sound is your warning to have your pads replaced since the calipers are close to grinding against your rotors. Faulty rotors are far more expensive to repair, so this warning can save you a lot of money if you make your service appointment.

Be Smart. Be Vigilant. Be Safe.

Here at Asheville Ford, we’re proud to offer a wide variety of quality services for all makes and models at our service center — including Ford. If any of these warning signs start to appear, you know what to do. Keep others safe and get an inspection by our highly trained technicians. Let’s get your brakes in working condition again.