How frequently should my brakes be serviced?

There are several telltale signs for a worn or damaged brake system, including but not limited to grinding, squeaking, a spongy pedal feel, pulsating, and the vehicle pulling to the left or right.

Different driving habits can significantly impact how frequently your car’s brakes need maintenance.

For instance, brake pads on a car primarily used for motorway driving might last up to 60,000 miles or more. In contrast, the same car driven mostly in heavy city traffic may require new brakes after just 25,000 miles or less.

Front brakes typically wear out faster than rear brakes because they bear a larger share of the braking load, especially in front-wheel-drive vehicles.

It’s generally advised to replace brake pads when the friction material has worn down to around 3 millimeters. Additionally, brake discs should be checked, and if they are at or below the manufacturer’s minimum thickness specification, they should be replaced.

Although you can measure brake disc thickness yourself, the process is challenging and requires specialized tools. It involves lifting the vehicle with a jack, removing the wheels, and then taking measurements. For this reason, it’s usually best to leave this task to professionals.