With every car, problems can occasionally come from nowhere. Of course, taking your car in for yearly maintenance checks can give drivers the foresight to prevent eventual issues with the vehicle, but daily issues could still happen at any time. One of those concerns might be screeching brakes, and there could be ways to prevent the noises from happening, depending on if your brakes are brand-new or old. Brake squeaking is likely the result of your driving habits and driving conditions. Below we’ll provide a deeper breakdown of some common causes as to why your brakes are squeaking, how many miles brake pads should last, and when to change your car’s brake pads.
This may shock you, but one cause of brake squealing is that your brakes are just too new. Your vehicle’s brakes might require a few more trips to work to get accustomed to your vehicle. In this case, weather conditions may lead to moisture covering your brake pads, and it could take a while to dry that moisture. Also, how you drive can create some brake squeaking. Heavy braking or “riding” your brakes can cause brake noise, even if they are brand-new. If that’s the case, then attempt to brake earlier to help reduce more friction.
Worn-down brakes are typically the reason you may experience that squeaking noise also. Over time, parts on every vehicle will likely start to wear down because of driving habits, moisture, if it is garaged or not, and rust. The easy fix is to just get those brakes changed with brand-new ones. However, a shift in the way you drive on the highway may lower the squeaking prior to driving the car to the dealership.
The life of brakes could run for years, depending on the way you drive. Understanding your driving habits is even more essential, as it can help drivers know when to replace the brake pads. Brake pads typically last around 25,000-65,000 miles, but aggressive driving can cause that number to shrink. Riding the brakes (when your foot is always on the brake pedal) and hard braking places heat and pressure on your brake pads and may lead to diminishing their lifespan. If screeching starts to happen, you might get them changed and try adjusting how you drive down the line to increase the pad’s lifespan.
Contact us at BMW of Tulsa if you think your brake pads need to be changed. Our team of professionals is ready to take all of the guesswork out of figuring out the specific brake service your car, truck, SUV, or minivan needs. We will happily service your vehicle no matter it’s make or model. Schedule your brake service appointment today.
