How to check brake pads myself?

Method 1: Look at the thickness

The thickness of a new brake pad is generally about 1.5cm, and the thickness will gradually become thinner with continuous friction in use. Professional technicians suggest that when the naked eye observation brake pad thickness has only left the original 1/3 thickness (about 0.5cm), the owner should increase the frequency of self-test, ready to replace. Of course, individual models due to wheel design reasons, do not have the conditions to see the naked eye, need to remove the tire to complete. Both sides of each brake pad have a raised mark, the thickness of this mark is about two or three millimeters, which is also the limit of the thinnest replacement of the brake disc, if the thickness of the brake pad has been parallel to this mark, it must be replaced. Therefore, when the thickness of the brake pads is close to this sign, the owner should be ready to observe at any time, but it is difficult to observe accurately by the naked eye without removing the tires, many models at present, when the brake pads are too thin, the position of the instrument handbrake light will be prompted, and the relative self-test is convenient.


Tips: brake pads according to the car environment and driving habits do not have a strict replacement interval, generally in about 60,000 kilometers to consider replacement. When the naked eye finds that the brake pads are thinner, technicians should be asked to check them during maintenance, because there will be errors in the naked eye observation, and the professional maintenance station is more rigorous than the naked eye observation.

Method 2: Listen to the sound

If the brake is accompanied by the sound of "iron rubbing iron" at the same time (it may also be the role of the brake pad at the beginning of the installation), the brake pad must be replaced immediately. Because the limit mark on both sides of the brake pad has directly rubbed the brake disc, it proves that the brake pad has exceeded the limit. In this case, in the replacement of brake pads at the same time with the brake disc inspection, this sound often occurs when the brake disc has been damaged, (as shown in the figure below) at this time even if the replacement of new brake pads still can not eliminate the sound, serious need to replace the brake disc. In addition, some poor quality brake pads have hard points, which will also produce abnormal sound, in general, the abnormal sound generated by this will disappear after a period of time

Tip: When you hear the sound of the brake, it is often late, and the brake disc will be more or less damaged at this time. The price of the brake disc is much higher than the brake pad, so it is recommended that you check the brake pad frequently to avoid damage to the brake disc.