How to Maintain Brake Pads in Winter?

　　Cars often require more attentive maintenance in winter than in summer, as colder weather can make vehicles more prone to malfunctions. Particularly with increased rain and snow, the upkeep of the braking system becomes crucial. Brake pads, as the most critical safety components in the braking system, directly determine your car’s braking performance. So, how should brake pads be maintained in winter?

　　Brake pads are the core components of a car’s braking system and are also considered wear items that require regular replacement. The primary step in winter brake pad maintenance is to check whether they need replacement. You can perform a self-inspection of your brake pads by referring to the following signs indicating replacement is needed:

　　Brake Pad Thickness

　　New brake pads typically have a thickness of around 1.5 cm. When the brake pad thickness wears down to below 3 mm, it has reached its wear limit. Continued wear can lead not only to unusual noises but also to issues like braking pull, posing serious safety risks. Be sure to promptly visit a 4S shop for inspection and replacement!

　　Unusual Noises When Braking

　　Brake pads are usually equipped with wear indicators. When the pads wear down to the limit, the indicator will come into contact with the brake disc, producing a sharp metallic friction sound. This may start as a slight hissing noise. If such a sound persists for several days every time you brake, growing louder and more frequent, it indicates the brake pads are nearly worn out. In this case, promptly visit a repair shop to have the brake pads inspected and replaced.

　　Brake System Warning Light

　　If the brake system warning light illuminates, it may indicate that the brake pads have worn to their limit, the brake fluid level is too low, or there is a fault with the ABS sensor.

　　Soft Brake Pedal Feel

　　This could be due to two reasons:

　　First, a fault in the braking components, such as the brake pads or brake discs, requiring inspection and replacement at a professional 4S shop.

　　Second, air may have entered the brake lines or there could be a leak in the brake fluid lines. In this case, the brake fluid lines need to be checked! Additionally, regular replacement of brake fluid is essential.

　　Regular Replacement

　　Brake pads generally need to be considered for replacement after approximately 50,000–60,000 kilometers (about 30,000–37,000 miles) or every three years. Typically, after replacing brake pads twice, it’s advisable to consider replacing the brake discs the third time, depending on the wear condition of the discs.

　　Again, if replacement is needed, purchase brake pads promptly and use them in combination with a brake system maintenance kit to enhance braking performance.

　　Winter Tips

　　After washing your car in winter, avoid leaving it parked for extended periods, especially outdoors, as low temperatures can cause ice to form. If the car is parked outside for too long after washing, the brake discs and pads may freeze.

　　Try to avoid frequent sudden braking. While braking is used more often due to rainy and snowy winter roads, minimizing hard braking can help extend the life of the brake pads. Insufficient braking distance due to sudden stops could also lead to accidents.