To say the average car owner knows little about their automobile would probably be an understatement. It's not that maintenance and the inner goings-on of a car are so complicated so much as it is that most people simply don't care. It does take some study and hands on experience to familiarize yourself with your car's parts, and this is more time than most people are willing to put in. There's nothing wrong with this, except that it often leads to confusion and surprise when the car owner stands in front of a mechanic. While it might take a lot of effort to become a certified mechanic, it takes only a few moments to learn enough to talk reasonably about the subject of brake repair. Here are a few basics that can ensure you stay in the loop.
The Front Brakes
One of the most misunderstood concepts of brake repair is the question of why the front ones always seem to go out before the back ones do. Cars are typically designed with a somewhat different system for the front and back wheels. The front uses a disc system while the back wheels use a rear drum setup. Those front discs will usually wear out much faster simply because a car's weight tends to shift forward as the vehicle comes to a stop. This puts more pressure on the pads to stop the inertia. It's really nothing more than that. The type of driver you are will have an effect as well. Those who often stomp on the brakes to stop the car will have to change pads much more often than those who roll to an easy stop.
The Rotors
A good brake repair shop will usually machine the rotors while changing out the pads. This is because over time, the rotors will wear unevenly, creating a strange thrumming effect when the car comes to a stop. By machining the rotors, it evens out the surface and gives the driver back that smooth stopping power. Eventually, of course, the mechanic is going to run out of rotor metal to smooth out and to do it again would be dangerous. This is why new rotors may be recommended when you go in for a pad change.
Poor Driving Habits
Yes, there are things you can do to extend the time between brake repair visits. While getting your pads changed out should be a regular part of your maintenance routine, you may be doing it more often than you really need to be. This is probably due to your driving habits. Aggressive driving is chief among the problems, although anyone who "rides the pedal" when driving is going to cause premature wear as well.
