WATCH: How Often Do Brake Pads Need To Be Replaced?

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Counterman has been serving auto parts jobbers, retailers and distributors since 1983.
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WATCH: How Often Do Brake Pads Need To Be Replaced?

There are no recommended replacement intervals for brake pads because pad life varies widely depending on how a vehicle is driven, the type of brake pads on the vehicle, the driver's braking habits and even the design of the brake system.

Mark Phillips
By Mark Phillips
Published:

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How can you ensure your customer’s customer can stop quickly, safely AND quietly? Counter Intelligence is Next!

Hi guys, it’s Mark Phillips. A vehicle’s ability to stop quickly, safely and of course, quietly, depends on the condition of its brake pads. The pads create friction when the brakes are applied, converting the kinetic energy of motion into heat. Most of the heat is dissipated through the brake rotors, but the pads also get hot. A hard panic stop or riding the brakes continually while mountain driving can raise brake pad temperatures several hundred degrees. And, the hotter the pads get, the faster they wear.

There are no recommended replacement intervals for brake pads because pad life varies widely depending on how a vehicle is driven, the type of brake pads on the vehicle, the driver’s braking habits and even the design of the brake system. Frequent stop-and-go city driving in heavy traffic may wear out a set of pads in as little as 30,000 to 40,000 miles – or even faster depending on how aggressively the driver uses their brakes. On the other hand, a set of brake pads on a vehicle that is driven mostly on the highway may last upwards of 70,000 to 80,000 miles or more.

Regardless of how a vehicle is driven, all brake pads eventually wear out and have to be replaced. When pads are worn down to minimum thickness specifications (usually around 1/8th inch), they should be replaced. Other items a customer may need when changing brake pads include rotors, brake fluid, calipers, brake hoses, steel brake lines, brake service tools and/or rear drum brake hardware and shoes. Remember to bring these up whenever you’re speaking to your customers who may be replacing friction. I’m Mark Phillips. And thanks for watching.

 

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Auto Industry

Customer Service: How It’s Done

Customer service should be your number one priority, and it all starts with the greeting.

Eric Garbe
By Eric Garbe
Eric Garbe is a graduate of Columbus State Community College with a degree in Automotive Maintenance Technology. He has extensive independent and dealership field experience as a technician and shop owner and is an ASE Certified Master Technician and former Adjunct Automotive Professor. He has been professionally writing automotive technical articles and documents for many years and in his free time enjoys restoring old cars and creating custom interiors and upholstery.
Published:

This is always an important topic to discuss, because I consider excellent customer service one of the most important tools you can have to earn trust, respect and repeat business from the customers that come through your door. Whether that customer is do-it-yourselfer from across town or the professional repair shop across the street, your business depends on a solid relationship.It’s a subject that I am passionate about, and it’s one that many people are losing touch with. Whether you are communicating to someone in person, on the phone or using some type of social media, good customer service and bad can both exist. You can’t afford the latter, so this is the first in a series of topics which can and should be shared from the front of the shop to the back. No matter which role you hold, you represent the shop and yourself. Customer service should be your number one priority.First on the list is the greeting. From the second a customer walks in the door, they need to know you appreciate them coming in and how important they are to your business. First impressions are everything and here’s the correct way to do it each and every time: look them directly in the eye, smile and say hello!Of course, you can say “Good morning” or “Welcome to Joe’s Autocare,” but it should be a formal greeting and the most important thing is that you have smiled, looked them in the eye and recognized that they have walked through the door.You should always retain a formal greeting until you are on a first-name basis with a customer. Only once you have established that level of relationship is it OK to use the less formal greeting of “Hi,” followed by the person’s name.This greeting does more than just indicate respect and appreciation for someone walking through the door. Most likely there are customers both new and old who are in earshot of your conversation. For newer customers, this continues to build rapport and reinforce their positive view of your shop; they see that you demonstrate respect and treat everyone in the same manner. For repeat customers, even ones that have been coming for years, the greeting is important because the way you treat them is the reason they continue to come.And when a long-time customer comes in and you greet them with “Hi [First Name],” this indicates your appreciation for them and that you’re glad to see them as a person, more than just a customer. New customers that witness this will see that your repeat customers are comfortable enough to be on a first-name basis, another indication of the trust they have in you.

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