Brake pads are essential to your vehicle’s safety, yet they’re so easy to overlook. Many drivers in Calgary wonder if they can drive when their brake pads are worn.
The short answer? You can, but you shouldn’t. Driving with worn brake pads will reduce stopping power, increase your repair costs and put your safety at risk. At My Calgary Mechanic, we see this all too often. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you understand when it’s time to have brakes servicing in Calgary and how to stay safe on the road.
Understanding Brake Pads and Their Role
Brake pads create friction by pressing against the brake rotors, which allows your car to slow down and stop. Over time, friction wears the pads down, making them thinner and less effective.
On average, brake pads last between 40,000-70,000 kilometres, but it comes down to your driving habits and conditions. Calgary’s cold winters, road salt and frequent stop-and-go traffic can wear them down faster, which is why regular vehicle maintenance and inspections are important.
Can You Drive with Worn Brake Pads?
So you can drive with worn brake pads, but you really shouldn’t. What does this mean? Doing so is risky and can cost you far more in the long run. Here’s why:
- Reduced Stooping Power: As pads wear, they lose their ability to create the friction needed to stop efficiently.
- Longer Stopping Distances: You may notice that your vehicle takes longer to come to a full stop, especially on wet or icy roads.
- Potential Rotor Damage: Worn pads can expose the metal backing, which grinds against the rotors, leading to costly replacements.
- Higher Accident Risk: In emergency situations, even a slight delay in braking can result in serious consequences.
Basically, driving on worn brake pads isn’t just a bad idea. It’s unsafe.
Signs Your Brake Pads Are Worn
Unsure about whether your brake pads need replacing? Look out for these common brake warning signs:
- Squealing or Grinding Noises when braking.
- Vibrations or a Pulsing Pedal, especially when slowing down.
- Brake Warning Light on your dashboard.
- Pulling to one side when braking.
- Reduced Responsiveness or a “soft” feeling in the brake pedal.
If any of these issues feel familiar, schedule an inspection with My Calgary Mechanic. We will fix the problem before the damage spreads.
Risks of Driving With Worn Brake Pads
When you ignore worn pads, it can lead to bigger, more expensive problems. The most common ones include:
- Rotor Damage: Metal-on-metal contact damages the rotors, turning a small repair into a full replacement.
- Caliper Damage: When rotors get too hot, they can warp and impact the caliper and braking system.
- Accidents: Poor braking performance is one of the most common causes of collisions.
- Higher Costs: What could’ve been a $300 brake can quickly turn into a $1,000+ repair.
Regular brake inspections can catch minor issues before they escalate. Preventative maintenance tends to be more affordable than emergency repairs.
When It’s Time to Replace Brake Pads
Brake pads usually have to be replaced when they’re worn down to 3mm or less of material. That’s generally 40,000-70,000 km.
We recommend scheduling an annual brake inspection or booking one anytime you notice changes in performance. Even if your brakes seem fine, getting ahead of the wear prevents larger brake repairs in Calgary later on.
If you hear squealing or grinding when you’re braking, book a brake inspection at My Calgary Mechanic. We’ll provide an honest assessment and get your vehicle back on the road in no time.
Schedule Your Brake Service Today
Can you still drive with worn brake pads? You can, but you shouldn’t. It’s not worth the reduced stopping power, higher repair costs and safety risks. If your brakes seem off, the team at My Calgary Mechanic can help. Whether your brakes are squealing, grinding or just feeling off, an inspection is the safest move.
Need your brakes checked? Contact us to book an appointment today!
