The Importance of Brake Pads

Why They’re Important

When it comes to the safety of your vehicle, the braking system plays an important role. It’s comprised of a wide variety of components that allow you to have ultimate control of your safety. Among these components is the brake pads, which some consider to be one of the most essential parts within your vehicle. 

The brake pads — which cover the calipers that squeeze on the brake disc — help protect the system from metal-on-metal contact and provides the proper friction needed to ensure your vehicle stops when you ask it to. If the pads are worn or missing, it could cause significant damage to your braking system in the form of a warped brake disc or deep grooves on the brake disc. If your vehicle is equipped with new brake pads, you’re in a vehicle that’s prepared to keep you and your passengers safe.

Do They Need to Be Replaced?

To ensure that your vehicle is always equipped with quality brake pads, it’s important to have it regularly serviced. But along with that, you must understand common warning signs that inform you when the brake pads are worn. By knowing these signs, you’ll be able to act quickly and prevent any damage or at least lessen the damage your car may experience. Here’s what you need to know:

• Squeaking or Squealing — If you hear these sounds when you step on the brakes, that indicates the brake pads are at their minimal level of thickness. This is a sure sign that your vehicle’s brake pads need to be replaced, but you can take comfort knowing that your car is fine for the time being. With that said, we recommend service at your earliest convenience. 
• Grinding — When you hear grinding after hitting the brakes, we recommend you stop driving immediately and bring your vehicle to our shop. At this point, the brake pads have fully worn out and the metal calipers are squeezing on the metal brake disc, which leads to the dreaded metal-on-metal contact you want to avoid. Continuing to drive could leave your car’s braking system severely damaged, which could place you in danger and leave you with an expensive service bill.

If you hear any of these sounds after hitting the brakes, know that the team at Whitlock Automotive is here to help. Call us at 512-858-2796 or visit us in Dripping Springs, Texas, and make sure you’re always driving the safest version of your vehicle!

Your vehicle’s brake pads play a key role in the system’s performance. Whitlock Automotive in Dripping Springs, TX, explains why they’re so important.