Wednesday, November 24, 2010

How often should I have my brakes serviced in order to avoid replacing them every couple years?

I have a Nissan Pathfinder, but would like to know the general rule of thumb to have automotive brakes inspected and possibly shoes %26amp; pads replaced in order to avoid complete replacement of rotors and brakes every couple of years.How often should I have my brakes serviced in order to avoid replacing them every couple years?As your car ages and the forces of friction and heat take their toll on brake components, your braking system will gradually begin to lose some of its effectiveness. To keep your vehicle safe, you need to keep your brakes properly serviced, and the first step in that process is a brake inspection.



The main elements of the brake system should be checked about every 10,000 miles or so. How frequently you check may depend on a number of factors such as the age of your vehicle, the type of braking system, the terrain where you live and the manner in which you drive. Someone who lives in a hilly area like San Francisco will wear through brakes more frequently than someone living in Santa Fe, for example, because of constant braking to slow or remain stationary on hills. Likewise, people who tend to ride the brake pedal will cause their brakes to wear out prematurely. Mileage that you put on your car driving in city traffic -- with all of its stops and starts -- is harder on brakes than highway mileage. On average, it's a good idea to check your brakes at least once a year, but it certainly won't hurt to do it more frequently.How often should I have my brakes serviced in order to avoid replacing them every couple years?12 to 15,000 mile inspection.How often should I have my brakes serviced in order to avoid replacing them every couple years?Most places will check your brakes when you get your oil changed. Oil changes are recommened every 3 months of 3000 miles.How often should I have my brakes serviced in order to avoid replacing them every couple years?Depends on your driving habits and situations. City driving? 10K mile inspection..longer for highway...



Lifetime pads..avoid them... Use lifetime pads and the pads don't wear..the rotors wear. Pads are supposed to wear out...just keep them inspected for proper service levels and replace them before you hit metal to metal and destroy rotors.How often should I have my brakes serviced in order to avoid replacing them every couple years?Go to tire rack .com.How often should I have my brakes serviced in order to avoid replacing them every couple years?I have a tendency to live by the concept:



If it is not broke, don't fix it.



Notice that every time you get your oil changed they bring the air filter in to show you how it could probably be replaced? The same is true with these free 24 point inspections that companies offer. They want to look at your car, with your permission, just so they can find things that could use replacing. Their favorite target area? Your brake system.



As a result, I typically do not allow anyone to look for problems in my brake system unless I know something is wrong.



However if you want to have your brakes inspected for wear, ask them to just make sure the rotors look good the next time you have your tires rotated. The wheels are coming off anyway and a quick wipe with the hand by the mechanic is the simplest way to let you know if you might want to have your brakes inspected further.How often should I have my brakes serviced in order to avoid replacing them every couple years?Pull the right side wheels (front %26amp;rear) once per year minimum. Usable pad thickness can be seen at the ends or on top of the brake calipers. If you feel you aren't seeing them well enough squeeze the outer exposed pad inward with a C clamp or Jorgonson carpenter's slider clamp. Remove the two anchor bolts that hold the caliper on to the caliper bracket. The caliper pulls straight off they will be on top of the caliper bracket in slides or stuck in slides inside the caliper. The pad thickness is measured with a depth gauge to the steel backing plate or a vernier caliper using the tail end, using it as a depth gage. Minumum thichness is as low as .060 some cars are higher - .090.



There's no way on this earth to properly inspect the brakes unless the tires and wheels are off the car.How often should I have my brakes serviced in order to avoid replacing them every couple years?Use premium pads and rotors.and a very reputable shop.If you live in a mountainous region,lots of big hills,lots of hard braking,frequent repairs are normal.Adjust your driving habits,do not jab brakes alot,long slow stops as opposed to short ,fast stops(like 90% of drivers today).....your brakes will last longer.

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