How Long Will 4mm Brake Pads Last? [Answered]
4mm brake pads should last around 20,000 miles. Normally a newly bought brake pad lasts somewhere between 30,000 to 70,000 miles. But if it reaches 4mm, then it is better to get replaced. You can drive with a 4mm brake pad without any problem. However, it is the last value up to which the brake pads can work fine.
Once your brake pad gets any less than 4mm then change it immediately. To get further ideas about brake pad safety, keep reading this article.
Table of Contents
- Should I Replace the Brake Pads At 4mm?
- How Do You Know When Your Brake Pads Are Worn Out?
- What Percentage Should Brake Pads Be Replaced?
- Can an MOT Fail on brake pads?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Conclusion
Should I Replace the Brake Pads At 4mm?
Yes, you should replace the brake pads at 4mm. While it is possible to keep driving at 4 mm brake pads, the problem is that continuing with 4mm brake pads will impact the braking performance and safety.
4mm thickness is the minimum value of brake pads onto which they can work fine, but any less than this is a cause of serious concern. This is why it is better to just change the brake pad instead of expecting it to go safely.
For your safety, it is recommended that you look after your brake pads and not forget to get them checked by a professional from time to time.
Inside the brake pad is a spring that applies pressure on the brake to stop the car. The spring gives pressure which pushes the disc, and the disc is pressed against the wheel. The friction between the wheel and the disc causes it to slow down or stop.
If your brake pads are worn out, there will be less friction and less force applied to the disc, and thus, you are at great risk of an accident as there will be no proper resistance from the brakes to bring down/stop the vehicle.
So using a vehicle with less than 4mm brake pads can damage the rotors and badly affect your vehicle’s performance.
Therefore you should not take risks with the brake pads and get them changed before they get less than 4mm. You can do a simple test and check the thickness of the brake pads. If you find that it is less than the minimum valve, do not waste a minute in getting it replaced.
How Do You Know When Your Brake Pads Are Worn Out?
Watch out for obvious clues such as squealing noise, vibration, and increased time to stop the car to find out if the brake pads are worn out. Let’s dive into the details now.
Squealing Noises:
When you apply the brakes, if you hear a squealing noise, you should know that the worn-out brake pads are causing this noise.
This noise can get louder with time and irritates when you apply the brakes. The noise comes from worn-out brake pads connecting the wheels and scraping against them.
Vibrating:
When you apply brakes, your vehicle will start vibrating, making driving difficult. Such vibrations should be considered seriously as they may damage the parts of your car or even cause accidents if those vibrations are serious enough to make you lose control of your vehicle while driving.
Increased in Time to Stop the Car after Braking:
This is one of the most common signs that your vehicle needs new brake pads; as you apply the brakes and slow down, the time to bring your car to a stop increases.
This signifies that your current brake pads will not be able to stop your vehicle in time when you apply brakes.
One of the signs that your brake pads need replacement is when you apply them and feel pulsing in them.
The pulsing can make controlling the braking difficult as it can cause unexpected stops and sudden movement after applying brakes. Thus, this pulsing should surely be considered a warning sign for worn-out brake pads.
Clicking Noises:
When you apply the brakes, if you hear a loud click noise that is different from the squealing noise when you apply it, the click noise is a good indication that your brake pads are worn out and require replacement.
This clicking noise can be caused by metal-on-metal contact and can only be solved by getting new brake pads.
This is how you can check your brake pads if you are well aware of these signs and symptoms of wearing out of brake pads. Thus whenever you notice one of these signs, make sure to get your brake pads checked or replaced if it has worn out.
Bonus: Discover why the rear brakes are not working.
What Percentage Should Brake Pads Be Replaced?
According to the experts, you should change the brake pads when they are eighty percent worn out. Yes, any less than that can cause trouble in braking and be hazardous for people traveling in your car.
So to make sure that you diagnose the brake pads correctly, take your car to a good mechanic who has the precision that can tell you if they are evenly worn out or not.
If it is worn out, you should replace the old ones with new ones to properly stop the car whenever you hit the brakes.
Brake pad replacement is not difficult if you are into DIY work. Check this video for detailed guidelines.
However, you can also get help from professionals.
Can an MOT Fail on brake pads?
MOT can fail on brake pads if it reaches below the level of 1.5mm of thickness. Thus unless you have not worn out this many brake pads, MOT will be fine and won’t fail.
As you know, brake pads are the most common part of the whole braking system, and they wear out with time and use; thus, you should keep checking as they can affect the braking and performance of your vehicle.
It can make braking less effective, which can be dangerous if you are on a busy road or driving in town.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How Long Will 1mm of Brakes Last?
1mm of brake pads will only last about 5000 miles. If the brake pads are only 1mm, please get them changed. Don’t wait for anything else because doing so will risk not just your life but also the safety of everyone else on the road.
Is 5mm on Brake Pads OK?
Yes, 5mm on brake pads are OK but you should change them as soon as possible. 5mm on the brake pads means that 50% of the brake pads are remaining. So, make sure to keep another one in handy once the brake pads reach 4mm.
Is 4.5mm Brake Pads Good?
Yes, 4.5mm brake pads are good but manufacturers recommend changing them as soon as the size is within 3 to 4mm. A properly sized brake pads are good for ensuring overall safety on the road.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 4mm brake pads should last around 20,000 miles. If you are someone who travels frequently then get it replaced or at least have one as a backup. If you can change the brake pad then go for it. However, if you are not comfortable doing DIY work then consult professionals.
