Why do my brakes wear out so fast?
My 2007 Honda Accord is going through a set of brake pads every 20,000 miles or so. This has been the case since the car was new. I have tried multiple brands of brake pads and now I am thinking that the car is at fault and this problem will persist no matter what. This is really sad because I love my Accord otherwise. The car needs a new set of brake pads again at 60,000 miles and I am now considering trading it in if I can’t find a solution. Please let me know if there is anything I am doing wrong!
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Braking issues with any vehicle can most certainly cause some frustration, especially when you are having to replace parts more often than you thought you would! The need to replace your brakes every 20,000 miles does seem a bit excessive. However, I did do some research on this matter and the concern you are experiencing seems to have developed in vehicles that have been adapted to using a new electronic braking system.
Your Honda Accord is equipped with this kind of newer braking system, known as an Electronic Braking Distribution or EBD. The EBD system eliminates the need for a proportioning valve and instead uses the vehicle’s ABS system to monitor the tire rotation. This allows it to apply or release the brakes at each wheel accordingly, aiding in slowing and cornering your vehicle. While this new braking system is proven to aid in quicker stopping and reducing wheel lock while braking, it may be the culprit behind your need to change your brake pads so often. The next best step to tackle this problem would be to replace not only the car’s rotors but also replace the brake pads with a factory set from Honda. These revised brake pads are a little tougher and thicker and will last longer than previous pads. Along with this, I highly recommended taking your vehicle to a certified Honda dealership, where you can request to have an adjustment done to your Electronic Braking Distribution system with their Factory scanner/computer. These two procedures should get you more life out of your brake equipment, as well as relieve some frustrations and save you money over the life your vehicle.
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Honda issued a Technical Service Bulletin in 2007 advising technicians that 2003-`07 4-cyl Accords could develop a brake judder that could be felt by drivers in the steering wheel due to uneven rotor wear (thickness variation). Honda`s corrective action was to replace the brake pads and refinish the rotors.
What causes brake pads to wear out is general, day-to-day use, plus mileage incurred, the surrounding environment and/or the personal driving habits of the owner(s). For example, a city driver will use their brakes more than drivers that use the highway with little traffic, or drivers that live in rural areas.
Honda Accord brake pads usually last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles depending on your driving habits. If you commute in heavy traffic and use your brakes often, you`ll need to get an inspection more frequently.
That being said, Honda brake pads will typically need to be replaced every 40,000 to 50,000 miles.
The average cost for a Honda Accord Brake Pad Replacement is between $215 and $243. Labor costs are estimated between $90 and $113 while parts are priced between $125 and $130.
Apparently, the most common cause of brake pads wearing down unevenly on one side is often when there is a discrepancy in the disc thickness on the brake pad. Even the smallest variation in thickness can cause the wearing on one side faster than on the other.
Simply put, Honda genuine brake pads and other genuine parts were designed to be high quality and work with your particular Honda model. This means that they will work properly for a long time. The brake pads from Honda have also been designed to reduce vibration and dampen noise.
Most car brakes will last between 25,000 and 60,000 miles–between three and six years for most daily drivers–but some sets may last even longer for those who exercise good habits.
Honda Accord brake pads usually last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles depending on your driving habits. If you commute in heavy traffic and use your brakes often, you`ll need to get an inspection more frequently.
In most vehicles, the front brake pads will wear out faster than the rear ones because they handle more weight. This is unless your car is used for carrying heavy loads at the back regularly, in which case the brake pads will at the back wear off faster.
Manufacturers offer a wide range for the effective “life” of their brake pads, typically between 25,000 and 65,000 miles. But the way you drive can have a big impact on brake pad wear. If you want to get the most miles out of your brake pads, consider the following four suggestions.
Honda. Accord won`t start and says there is a brake system problem, your battery may be dead or need to be replaced. While this isn`t always the case, it`s the most frequent cause.
When you press on the brakes, your brake pads clamp down on your brake discs, also known as rotors. In an ideal world, the rotors are perfectly smooth. If your steering wheel shakes as you brake, this indicates your rotor is either warped or, more likely, has worn unevenly over time.
Pay attention. Sounds, smells and sensations signal brake problems: Screeching, grinding, squealing, rubbing, and other eardrum-piercing noises are common indicators that your brake pads & shoes require inspection.
When you press on the brakes, your brake pads clamp down on your brake discs, also known as rotors. In an ideal world, the rotors are perfectly smooth. If your steering wheel shakes as you brake, this indicates your rotor is either warped or, more likely, has worn unevenly over time.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
When I put my foot on the brake my back left brake light goes off, when I take it off the brake the brake light comes on
ANSWER : I would suggest trying to disconnect and reconnect the wiring to the rear lights. I have seen these older Toyota vehicles rear lighting short out on the lights themselves due to the way the light circuit was made on the lamp housing. Look at the housing circuit on the light to see if one is touching another, and that could tell you why it is malfunctioning. There could also be a problem with the brake light switch. If you are not comfortable dealing with wires, I recommend getting in touch with a certified mechanic who can look at your brake light issue for you to see what’s going on.
Read Full Q/A … : Why do my brakes wear out so fast?
Low brake pedal and anti-lock brakes are not kicking in.
ANSWER : The brake pedal is working to stop the vehicle, but there may be air in the controller unit causing the ABS brakes to not function. I recommend bleeding the brake system from the farthest location from the master cylinder to the master cylinder including the ABS unit. If the brakes are still spongy after a full bleed, then the controller will need to be replaced. If you need further assistance with your brake pedal being spongy, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
Read Full Q/A … : Why do my brakes wear out so fast?
EPC light on 2004 Jetta. Code said brake switch faulty, but brakes lights worked. Replaced brake switch, now no brake lights.
ANSWER : Hi there. The first thing that pops in my mind beyond of what you have listed is perhaps the electrical harness attached to the brake switch. Perhaps the harness itself is damaged or you have an exposed wire, loose ground wire somewhere. You might want to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a brake lights not working inspection to help you diagnose this issue.
Read Full Q/A … : Why do my brakes wear out so fast?
Supportive bar attached to brake pedal interrupts proper braking process
ANSWER : It’s possible to have someone alter the brake pedal or adapt a brake pedal from a different vehicle. You may call around to some customization shops to see if anyone is interested in taking on the project. But first, I would try reaching out to the selling dealer with your concern – especially since it is a new model. Good luck.
Read Full Q/A … : Why do my brakes wear out so fast?
I replaced the brake light switch. Gear lever unlocked because it had locked. Now the brakes feel hard.
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. You need to check the brake switch install adjustment. You may have the switch adjusted too tight and it is holding the the brake pedal partly down. This will cause the brake master cylinder to not release the brakes when you let off the pedal. Readjust the switch away from the pedal until you feel some free play again in the pedal. This should fix the problem. If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect and diagnose this issue for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.
Read Full Q/A … : Why do my brakes wear out so fast?
Brake sensor is to sensitive causing brakes to flicker while driving. 2005 Mercury Montego
ANSWER : Hi there – your brake light switch needs a minor adjustment. It is adjusted too "tight" or close to the brake pedal lever, or possibly has failed. Adjusting/replacing it will eliminate this flickering problem. I recommend a brake light isn’t working inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
Read Full Q/A … : Why do my brakes wear out so fast?
Hard brake pedal and rear brakes locking up.
ANSWER : Hi. I will help you with this issue you are having with your 2001 Durango. Unless you bled the master cylinder, it is possible there is still air in the system. If you car is equipped with ABS, air could have also gotten trapped in the ABS modulator. If ABS equipped, a bi-directional scan tool would be essential to manually activate the ABS system to clear air from that segment of the lines while you are bleeding the system. It is also possible that in all of this work somehow the proportioning valve has been affected causing the desired pressure differential, front versus back, to get out of spec. Using a 2,500 PSI gauge, you can check the pressures at each wheel and that will definitely give you a clue as to which brake circuit is the issue (or both), whether the proportioning valve is working properly and whether the line pressures at each wheel are within spec. Should you need a second opinion, by all means feel free to contact YourMechanic for assistance and we will diagnose and repair the issue for you.
Read Full Q/A … : Why do my brakes wear out so fast?
Changed brake master cylinder, bled 10 times, and the pedal is soft The rear brakes are not locked but close. Truck now running rough.
ANSWER : You will have to bleed the brakes from the farthest location all the way to the master cylinder. There is still air in the lines causing the issue. Check the vibrations on the vehicle to see if the engine mounts are damaged or if the brakes are not releasing causing the engine to run harder than normal to overcome the braking force. If you need further assistance with your vehicle’s brake system, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
Read Full Q/A … : Why do my brakes wear out so fast?
