In days gone by, many vehicles only had disc brakes on the front wheels, with drum brakes on the back. This has changed, and most modern Honda cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs are equipped with both front and rear disc brakes. This means that they’ll also need to have the brake pads on these brakes replaced. When your Honda needs this service, trust the experts at Serra Honda of Champaign!
Put quite simply, disc brakes are better. They have more stopping power, perform better on wet streets, and can deal with heat better. This is why front disc brakes have been standard on most vehicles for decades. Because the front wheels provide more of the braking power, drum brakes were still standard on these wheels. But many manufacturers, including Honda, have continued to offer only the best by outfitting all four wheels with disc brakes.
If you take a look through your Honda owner’s manual, you’ll notice that rear brake pad replacement isn’t on the maintenance schedule. However, a brake inspection is on the schedule. That’s because brake pads wear differently based on several factors, including environmental factors and how aggressively you brake. If you keep a good distance and brake slowly, your brake pads are likely to last noticeably longer than if you tailgate and brake hard. When a certified technician inspects the brake pads, they’ll have a good idea of whether there’s enough lining left or if you’ll need a new pair. In addition, if you hear a squealing sound when you step on the brakes, it’s likely the wear indicators in the brake pads telling you to change them as soon as possible. If you wait too long, you’ll instead hear a grinding sound—this means that the rotors will probably need repair!
We mentioned earlier that the front brakes carry most of the weight when it comes to braking. This means that the front brake pads will probably wear down much sooner than the rear brake pads. Fortunately, brake pads aren’t like tires: though they should be replaced in pairs (that is, both front brake pads or both rear brake pads), you don’t have to replace all four at the same time.
When you’re ready for a brake inspection or a rear brake pad replacement, trust the experts at Serra Honda of Champaign, serving Mahomet and beyond. Our technicians will use only genuine Honda OEM brake pads, so you can rest assured that you’re getting top quality. Schedule your next appointment online and then stop by our well-equipped service center. We look forward to seeing you!