It’s worth remembering to check the condition of the braking system, including the brake pads, on a regular basis – and in fact, you should do this every time you change your tyres for the season. After all, the effectiveness of the braking system has a significant impact on our safety on the road. But what if the brake pads need replacing? Does that mean the car has to be left at the garage for a few days?
Brake pad replacement in Warsaw It isn’t a service for which you need to set aside several hours or look for a replacement car. Importantly, you can also have this service carried out by a professional tyre fitter, who can check the condition of your brake pads whilst changing your summer tyres for winter ones – or vice versa.
How long does it take to replace the brake pads?
How long it takes to replace the brake pads depends primarily on the technical condition of the braking system. The process itself Replacing parts in a properly functioning braking system on an average car takes between 30 minutes and an hour. Problems arise when the brake discs also need replacing or the entire braking system has been damaged.
In such cases, unfortunately, it is sometimes necessary to leave the car for a few days so that the mechanic can carry out the necessary repairs, which are vital for the safety of both the driver and the passengers.
When should brake pads be replaced – twice a year or once?
The time at which brake pads need replacing depends primarily on our driving style. If we drive relatively calmly and do not brake abruptly, we are likely to cover more than 50,000 km on a single set of brake pads. However, if you frequently drive in mountainous terrain or on rough roads, it is worth checking the condition of the pads even after just 15,000 km.
It is best to check the condition of the brake pads when changing tyres. This is the moment when the tyre fitter has direct access to the brake pads and can assess their wear. As we generally change our tyres twice a year, this gives us a good insight into the wear and tear of the braking system.
It is also possible to replace the brake pads whilst changing the tyres. How long it takes to replace the brake pads at this stage depends, of course, on the type of car, but also on the condition of the entire braking system – however, it is worth allowing an extra 30–60 minutes when having your tyres changed.
Replacing brake pads yourself
We often feel that the time spent having our brake pads replaced at a garage is time wasted, which is why we decide to change them ourselves. Whilst this is, of course, possible, we must remember that brake pads have a direct impact on our safety on the road. Replacing the part yourself may result in damage to the braking system, which in turn leads to uneven braking and could result in the car veering off the road.
How long does it take to replace the brake pads? In a roadworthy car with no damage to the braking system, the whole job should take no more than an hour. However, if the braking system requires more extensive work, you should expect to leave your car at the garage for up to several days. That said, this is one part of our car that must be 100 per cent in working order.