Properly functioning brakes are crucial to your safety while driving. That’s why having frequent brake inspections is an essential part of your car’s routine maintenance. To save on costs, some drivers prefer to buy the pads and bring them to the mechanic. Before doing that, however, you should understand a few details about the braking system.  

A Beginner’s Guide to Brake Pads

What Are The Signs of Worn-Out Pads?  

The braking mechanism is a hydraulic system that turns the force applied to the pedal into clamping power to make the wheels stop or slow down. As you apply the brakes, the pad comes into contact with the rotor, thinning it over time due to friction. Depending on your driving habits and road conditions, some brake pads wear out faster than others. One common sign of worn out pads is a high-pitched squealing or screeching sound when braking. In some models, a warning light on the dashboard comes on to indicate you need brake repairs.

Why Do You Need To Replace Them?

Apart from safety, changing your brake pads ensures other components of the braking system won’t get damaged. If you continue to ignore the symptoms, it will eventually lead to uneven rotors and calipers. When replacing brake pads, you can choose from ceramic, semi-metallic, non-asbestos organic (NAO), or low-metallic NAO. Of the four, ceramic brake pads are the most expensive, providing excellent braking without wearing out the rotors quickly, unlike semi-metallic ones. NAO pads are softer and make less noise but wear out faster than low-metallic types.  

How Do Professionals Change Them?

First, a mechanic will loosen the lugs, raise the car using a hydraulic jack, and rest it on the stands. After removing the wheels, they’ll pry out the caliper and rotor so they can slide out the brake pads. Before swapping in the new pads, they apply grease at the back of the parts to reduce squeaking sounds. Finally, they install the caliper and put the wheel back, repeating the process to the other sides as well. Unless you’re mechanically inclined, taking your vehicle to the local mechanic is the easiest and safest way to replace your brakes.

Whether you’re looking for replacement brakes or a new car battery, AAW Auto Parts in Pasco, WA, can help you find the right fit for your vehicle. With an inventory of over 550,000 components, you can trust this family-owned and -operated auto parts store to have everything you need. Call (509) 547-6000 to speak with a knowledgeable sales representative or visit them online to learn about the available brands of aftermarket auto parts they carry.