Organic brakes are perfectly suitable for smaller cars and a great option if you’re looking for something eco-friendly and easy on your discs, however, their shorter lifespan may not suit your needs.

That’s because urban journeys require more stopping and starting at traffic lights, roundabouts and junctions – so your brakes are used far more often than when cruising along on a motorway. The weight of your car If you can hear a loud screeching sound when braking it's a real warning sign that new brake pads are needed, or at least the current ones require inspection. It's worth taking into account the following factors to give you an idea of how long your brake pads might last. Where you drive Ceramic pads tend to manage heat better than organic or semi-metallic pads and also are made of a more durable material. These will generally provide the best life. First, it’s worth noting that your driving habits will have a huge impact on the life expectancy of your brake pads and rotors. That said, all brake pads are not the same.

How can I tell if my brake discs need replacing?

Semi-metallic pads are harder than organic types and are fabricated of a more durable material. These will provide superior stopping performance and will last longer than organic pads. tighten the clamp– allow pressure in the system to escape by removing the top from the brake fluid reservoir – watch for overflowing liquid as you tighten the clamp

Your ideal brake pads will depend on your driving style and the conditions that you keep and drive your car in. You’ll need to consider the following: Material Another factor in brake pad wear is the weight regularly being carried by the vehicle, e.g. four or five passengers, fully loaded boot, towing a caravan etc. When the vehicle is lighter it’s easier to slow down and stop with less braking effort required. If a lot of your driving is done on the motorway, you might find your brake pads last longer than if you drive more around inner cities and on shorter journeys. There should be at least 3mm of pad visible. If you see anything less, get the brake pads inspected. Although damaged brake pads often give off a screeching sound, perfectly good pads can also be noisy. Metallic pads tend to be the loudest, followed by organic pads.Ceramic brakes are perfect for high-performance, long-lasting and near-silent braking, but come with an expensive price tag. Operating temperature While braking, if the vehicle feels as if it pulls to one side, then it's likely that a brake fault exists. This is an absolute minimum and indicates pad replacement is required immediately. You should limit your driving and get your car to your favorite repair or brake shop as soon as possible. A vehicle used by a 5-person family is obviously heavier than say, one used by a couple – so stopping it in the same amount of time requires greater pressure and puts more strain on brake pads. Type of brake pads