The best-selling Lexus RX and most modern Lexus models have an incredibly sophisticated suite of advanced safety features. But the number one safety feature of any car is, and always has been, the braking mechanism. Without carefully maintained, fully functioning brake pads, you’re at risk on the road. Let’s take a look at how often you should visit your local Lexus dealer to replace your pads.
It Depends on Your Driving Conditions
Lexus drivers usually have the pads of their braking system changed every 30,000 to 70,000 miles. This is a huge 40,000-mile variation, and so it really does depend on your personal driving style and conditions.
If you have a style of driving that sees your foot frequently pressing the brake pedal, then your pads will wear out faster. If you’re driving all the time through hilly terrain with plenty of swerving roads and downhill stretches that require constant braking, then your pads also won’t last as long. It’s the same for heavy stop-and-go traffic, which likewise demands a great deal of braking.
Why Your Pads Wear Down
Apart from the brake fluid, pads are the component of the braking system that most frequently require replacing because they do most of the heavy-duty work in stopping your car. Every time you press the pedal, your pads clamp the rotors, slowing the wheels. Each time they do so, a tiny bit of the pad’s upper friction layer is scraped away. When this friction layer wears too thin, you need new pads.
When You Hear Squealing Sounds
Fortunately, these days braking pads are designed to emit an unmissable squealing or screeching sound when the friction layer wears down too thin. This sound is the clearest indicator you’ll get that it’s time for replacements.
When You Hear Grinding Sounds
If the friction layer disappears altogether, you’ll hear a rather disturbing grinding noise whenever you brake. This is the sound of metal scraping directly on metal, and it means your rotors are getting damaged. Never drive like this for long, or you’ll face expensive repairs.
When You Feel Odd Vibrations
Continual braking can occasionally cause your rotors and pads to overheat. When this happens, the resin in the friction layer of the pads can sometimes begin to melt. This melted resin will spread over your rotor and harden to become a lumpy layer, which you’ll feel as strange vibrations through the steering wheel or brake pedal. At this point, you’ll need to have your rotors resurfaced or replaced, along with your pads.
Follow the Guidance of Your Lexus Dealer
One important purpose of regular brake service at your local dealership is to ensure that nothing takes you by surprise. If you’re taking your Lexus in for regular checkups, then the technician will examine your pads each time and inform you as to their current condition. This way, you’ll usually know well in advance when each of your pads will need replacing.