Nissan Motor Corp

Maintenance Repairs You Should Never Put Off: Brake Pads

We here at Nissan Motor Corp know that we all stretch the limits a little bit, especially when it comes to our cars. Hey, we’ve all gone a few extra miles when we knew we needed an oil change. But, when it comes to your safety, as well as to the health of your car, there are definitely some things you absolutely shouldn’t wait on. One of those things are brake pads.

Your brakes are outrageously important to the overall function of your car, and to your safety. For the most part, it’s recommended that you replace your brake pads every 50,000 miles. Of course, you should check your owner’s manual for specifics, but this number can also vary depending on your driving habits. If you wait to long to replace them, you run the risk of damaging your rotors.

If you’re not sure what rotors are, here’s a basic rundown of how your brakes work. When you press on the brake pedal, you apply brakes to slow down your car. This makes the brake pads press against the rotor to generate friction, which slows the car down to a stop.

These pads are essential because they distribute the heat generated by that friction. Brake pads eventually will be worn down from the heat and friction, which leads to them needing replacement.

If you don’t replace your brake pads, you’ll be left with essentially a metal clamp. That metal clamp will rub against the rotor, and eventually cause the rotor to warp or break. Worst of all, if there aren’t brake pads in place to distribute the heat, that can cause your brake system can overheat – and fail altogether.

Don’t run the risk of waiting to replace your brake pads, both for your safety and your pocketbook. Not sure if your brake pads need a change, or hearing something funny? Give us a call. We’re always ready to help anyone in the greater Sterling, VA area and beyond.

Sources: Tindra Coaching, Jalopnik