There is no safety feature more important than your brakes. To keep them in good condition, you’ll need to have the front and rear brake pads changed regularly. At Cutter Mazda Waipahu, we’ll gladly perform this service for your Mazda. Read on to learn a little bit more about brake pad replacement, and then schedule your service appointment.
Brake pads are one of the main components of a disc braking system, working closely with calipers and rotors. Each wheel is equipped with a rotor. This metal disc is attached to the wheel and is surrounded on both sides with a brake caliper. On this caliper are placed brake pads–one for each side of the rotor. When you step on the brakes, the caliper squeezes together, pressing the brake pads against the sides of the rotor. The ensuing friction slows your car down to a stop.
One of the materials making contact with the other has to be of a softer material to prevent damage. The brake pads are comprised of metal backing and a softer friction material that’s designed to wear down slowly over time while being capable of standing up to heat. When the brake pad lining gets thin enough, it’s time to replace the pads so that your Mazda can continue to stop safely.
How long brake pads last depends on several factors, from the environment you’re driving in to the kind of braking you do. If you always come to hard, fast stops, your brake pads won’t last nearly as long as they would if you came to a gentle stop. While brake inspections are the best way to find out when you need new brake pads, the pads themselves will likely let you know, too. If you start to hear a squealing sound whenever you step on the brakes, it means that the wear indicators have been exposed. It’s your vehicle’s way of telling you that it’s time for a brake pad change. If you ignore this and hear a grinding noise, that means it’s too late; you’ll need not just a brake pad change, but also work done on the rest of the braking system.
When you’re ready to have the brake pads on your Mazda changed, head to Cutter Mazda Waipahu. Our online service scheduler makes it easy to set your appointment, or just head to Cutter Mazda Waipahu to take advantage of our Cutter Express Lane service.
