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Teknikimobil.com – Most car owners want to know – How long can a car’s disc brake pads last? Searching for answers with a car expert, mechanic, or acquaintance will likely give you three different answers. With this article, it is easy to understand that determining the age of brake linings in terms of distance (miles/km) or time is quite difficult. To find out what brake lining actually is and how it works according to the estimated life of this car component, let’s dig deeper into the information provided.
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Brake canvas or brake pads are components that rub directly against the disc rotor. Source: Otobots
What are Disc Brake Pads and How Do They Work?
Defined as one of the key components in the braking system, brake pads or linings are an important part of disc brakes. Used in the automobile industry, brake pads are backing plates made from steel. With friction material bonded to the surface facing the vehicle’s brake rotor, which helps slow or stop the vehicle.
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Brake Canvas Work
Disc brakes consist of two brake pads on each disc rotor. Installed together with the caliper, the brake pad is attached to the upright suspension or wheel hub. Typically, cars have two brake pads on each caliper. But cars with racing calipers use six pads in a specific pattern. For optimal performance, they also have varying friction properties.
When the foot brake is applied, the caliper squeezes the brake pad against the rotating rotor. During this process, the bearing converts kinetic energy into heat energy through its friction, which in turn helps slow or stop the vehicle. And, it’s because of the brake pads’ contact with the rotors that turns them a dull gray color (due to the heat generated).
This is how the brake pads and discs stick to each other and provide friction to stop the car. Now, let’s find out How long do brake pads last?
How Long Do Disc Brake Pads Last – Real Estimates!
How far apart a brake pad should be can depend on several factors? From the laws of physics to driving style, the longevity of brake pads also depends on the materials used in their manufacture.
So, let’s discuss the estimated service life of brake pads by characterizing them in different types (by material) first:
- Disc Brake Canvas Material – Factors Measuring Disc Brake Canvas Life
Source: Pasadena Auto Repair
Organic
Surrounded by a composite material made from non-metallic fibers, this brake pad also includes powdered metal, graphite and nutshell. Added with filler, this organic canvas also ensures heat and noise reduction, while in action.
There is no doubt that organic brake pads provide the best stopping power but they do have disadvantages. In simple words, large stopping power means more wear of the canvas during each stop which ultimately reduces the service life of these brake pads.
Metallic
Metallic brake pads were once used in racing cars. Although they are manufactured using various metals, they have been replaced by organic and semi-metallic bearings in the automotive industry.
Semi-metallic
Starting from copper, steel to iron, this brake canvas is made by combining organic materials and metal. Additionally, these pads are more heat-resistant and stronger than organic canvas and metal.
If you are wondering – How long do brake pads last, remember they are more durable and tough in nature. However, if you are looking for better stopping power, then organic canvas is the ideal choice.
Synthetic
Also known as ceramic canvas, synthetic canvas is manufactured using non-organic and non- metallic materials. Generally, made from aramid fibers and fiberglass, this canvas is much stronger and weighs about half the weight of the average canvas. Additionally, you can also rely on this canvas for better hot and cold stopping power.
Undoubtedly, synthetic canvas is more expensive than other types of canvas but in terms of durability, they are better than their counterparts.
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- Driving Style: Other Factors Affecting Brake Pads
Now, besides the brake pad material, driving style is another important factor that determines how long the brake pads last. Therefore, try to follow the driving habits below to increase the life of these key components.
One of the interesting things is that we can easily analyze the life of disc brake pads using physics in addition to driving style and type of brake pad.
It is a fact that more mass means more braking power is required to slow or stop the car. Therefore, try to store fewer items in the trunk or cargo area of your pickup truck. Second, a contaminated or low brake fluid level means excessive use of the brake lining. So, you should change the brake fluid after driving every 25,000 miles in the car. Last but not least, speed is the biggest factor affecting brake pad life, fast driving with sudden stops is more likely to reduce brake pad life.
- Laws of Physics: Determining the Life of Brake Canvas
This is another factor that determines how many kilometers the brake pads travel!
As said previously, the brake system converts kinetic energy into heat energy through the brake pads. And, the amount of kinetic energy of a car is determined by its weight, speed, and frequency of change in speed.
According to physics, when the weight of a car is multiplied by the square of its speed, the value obtained is called kinetic energy. And, on dividing the resulting value by 29.9, the kinetic energy in pound-feet is obtained.
As the theory goes, when a moving car produces torque, nothing happens unless the driver applies the brakes. After that, many things happened. Brakes overcome dynamic inertia and force static inertia. This means that moving the car is forced to stop coming. This is done by converting kinetic energy into heat energy.
Now, here if the canvas were small, forcing the car to stop after reaching a speed of 60 miles per hour, they would produce a temperature of 232.2 degrees Celsius. And, this is what influences the life of the canvas. Simply put, this means that when the driver applies the brakes, the canvas heats up, wears, and dies a little. So, the way you apply the brakes determines how long the brake pads last.
Therefore, to increase the lifetime of the canvas, one should keep checking the brake fluid and canvas, as well. This brake canvas can be checked using a canvas gauge. Or, if the spring clips that attach to the brake pads are damaged, they produce a squealing sound when rubbing against the rotor. Thus, indicating the need for brake pad replacement.
In short, it is important to follow maintenance tips to increase brake pad life. And, for the best guide on how long brake pads last, you can consult a reputable auto repair and maintenance shop near you.[]