Self-inspection tips aim to introduce some simple self-inspection methods within our capabilities, enabling car owners to keep abreast of vehicle information in a timely manner even if they are unable to replace or repair their vehicles themselves. In the absence of professional inspections at any time, these are methods for self-checking and judging minor vehicle issues. Car front logo

Nowadays, cars are not only simple means of transportation but also companions in many people's lives. Many friends like to play with and study cars in their spare time from work. There are still some friends who, even if they don't know much about cars, hope to gain more knowledge about cars through their driving experiences and use this knowledge to inspect their own vehicles. First, let's take a look at the self-check of brake pads.

Brake pads and brake discs are two separate parts. Brake pads need to be replaced regularly, while brake discs do not need to be replaced during daily use as long as they are not damaged. There are many ways to replace brake pads, such as checking their thickness. The thickness of a new brake pad is generally around 1.5cm. As it is constantly rubbed during use, its thickness will gradually decrease. Professional technicians suggest that when the thickness of the brake pads observed by the naked eye has dropped to about one-third of their original thickness (approximately 0.5cm), car owners should increase the frequency of self-inspections and be ready to replace them at any time. Of course, for some models, due to the design of the wheel hubs, it is not possible to inspect them with the naked eye, and the tires need to be removed to complete the process. Each brake pad has a raised mark on both sides. The thickness of this mark is about two or three millimeters, which is also the thinnest limit for replacing brake discs. If the thickness of the brake pad is parallel to this mark, it must be replaced. Therefore, when the thickness of the brake pads approaches this mark, the car owner should be ready to observe at any time. However, it is difficult to accurately observe it with the naked eye without removing the tires. Currently, many models will give a prompt at the position of the handbrake light on the instrument panel when the brake pads are too thin, which is relatively more convenient for self-inspection.

A small tip: Brake pads do not have a strict replacement interval depending on the driving environment and driving habits. Generally, they should be considered for replacement after about 60,000 kilometers of driving. When the brake pads are found to be thin by visual inspection, technicians should be asked to check them during maintenance. This is because visual inspection is bound to have errors, and professional repair stations are more rigorous in using calipers than visual inspection.

For instance, listening to sounds. If there is a "scraping iron" sound when you gently press the brake, the brake pads must be replaced immediately at this time. Because the limit marks on both sides of the brake pads have directly rubbed against the brake disc, it proves that the brake pads have exceeded their limit. When encountering such a situation, while replacing the brake pads, it is necessary to check the brake discs at the same time. When this kind of sound occurs, the brake discs are often already damaged. At this point, even if new brake pads are replaced, the noise still cannot be eliminated. In severe cases, the brake discs need to be replaced.

A small tip: By the time you hear the sound of the brakes, it's often too late. At this point, the brake discs will be damaged to some extent. The price of brake discs is much higher than that of brake pads. Therefore, it is recommended that everyone frequently check the brake pads to avoid damaging the brake discs.

Another method is to feel the intensity. When the brake pads become thin, our braking effect will be affected. At this time, we need to press the brake pedal deeper to achieve the braking effect that could be achieved with a light press before. The braking effect in the first half of the process is significantly weakened. Many people feel that their brakes have become soft and a bit hard to stop. At this point, it is necessary to check whether the brake pads need to be replaced.

A small tip: This method is relatively abstract, and it might be a bit hard to grasp it by feeling. Therefore, it is very important to develop a good self-checking habit. In addition, a decrease in braking effect will lead to an increase in brake fluid consumption. Therefore, when replacing brake pads, it is important to pay special attention to checking the condition of the brake fluid.