How Often Should You Replace Your Ford’s Brake Pads?

Modern vehicles have an incredible array of sophisticated, high-tech safety features. But to this day, the most important safety feature in any car remains the simple mechanical function of a brake pad. Every time you press the brake pedal, your brake pads clamp onto the rotors, slowing and stopping your car. So if you ever notice the following signs of a worn-out brake pad, don’t hesitate to visit your local Ford dealer for a replacement. 

Brake Warning Light

Your Ford has many sensitive sensor modules connected to the braking mechanisms. So if your pads or any other braking component develops a problem, the brake warning light will come alive on your dashboard. It’s safest never to ignore this light; have a technician take a look right away.

Squeaking or Scraping Sounds

A brake pad is formed of a metal frame and an upper friction layer. This friction layer wears down a tiny bit more every time the pad is used. 
These days, pads have little “wear indicator” tabs inside the friction layer. When a brake pad wears too thin and is almost worn out, the tab is uncovered, creating a persistent squeaking or scraping sound. So if you hear this noise, you know it’s time for at least one new brake pad.

Grinding Sounds of Metal on Metal

If for some reason one of your pads failed to emit the high-pitched warning sound, then the friction layer will eventually wear away entirely. At this point, you’ll hear metal grinding directly on metal, and you might lose some stopping power as well. 

Pulling to One Side When Braking

If something goes wrong with one brake pad, you’ll probably lose a degree of braking force on one side of your car. This may cause your car to pull slightly to one side when you brake. The problematic brake pad will be on the opposite side of your car to the direction in which you veer. 

Unresponsive Brakes

One great danger with braking mechanisms is the risk of overheating. When driving continuously in heavy stop-and-go traffic, it’s possible for brakes to reach extremely high temperatures. When overheating, the resin in the friction layer of a brake pad can start to melt, causing it to lose traction on the rotor disc. 

This loss of traction can temporarily make your brakes less responsive. If you ever experience a loss of stopping power in this way, pull over and allow your brakes to cool down. Even if they return to normal function after that, it’s best to have a technician take a look in case the melting has irreparably damaged your pads. 

Have Frequent Brake Servicing at Your Local Ford Dealer

Good brake maintenance requires brake servicing at least twice a year. While servicing your brakes, the technician will examine each brake pad and let you know how much longer they’re likely to last. This helps ensure that a failing pad never takes you by surprise. 

Have your pads inspected today by experienced professionals at Conway Ford. We’re an award-winning full-service dealership and a local one-stop shop for all things Ford. 

Posted in Conway Ford Dealer, Conway Ford Service | No Comments »