ASK THE EXPERT

Q:  How do I know when my brakes need to be replaced?

The best way to determine if your brakes need to be replaced is to inspect them. 
Many brake systems have wear indicators that are designed to make noise, alerting the driver that the brake linings are worn down to the point where they need to be replaced. This is not a noise you want to ignore; doing so may cost you several hundred dollars in additional repairs.

Other indicators that your brake system needs attention are pulling, vibration during braking, soft mushy brake pedal or any type of strange noise or noticeable change in braking characteristics. In some cases, these symptoms may be isolated to a minor component of the brake system that needs to be replaced, saving you the cost of an entire brake job.

Many people want to know how many miles they can drive before their brakes need to be replaced. This depends on several factors – driving habits, the weight of the vehicle and type of friction material used just to name a few. Two identical vehicles driven by different drivers under different conditions may result in one vehicle needing brakes replaced in 15,000 miles and the other after 60,000 miles.

As I mentioned earlier, the best way to determine if your brakes need to be replaced is to inspect them. Be wary of anyone quoting you a price over the phone without having inspected the brake system on your vehicle. These “special” prices are typically the least amount of money it might cost you, and is very seldom the actual price you’ll pay to have your brakes replaced. Most likely, additional items will need to be addressed. These may include machining or replacing rotors, rebuilding or replacing calipers, replacing master cylinders — the list goes on.

So do yourself a favor: have a technician you trust inspect your brake system and give you an accurate estimate for the necessary repairs. Ask the technician to show you the brake pads and the level of wear, or simply ask him or her to save the parts for you to view when you pick up the vehicle.  This will eliminate any “surprises” and give you peace of mind.