Guide and tips
Brakes use friction to convert kinetic energy into heat, making them one of the most important elements for safe driving. Find out from TÜV NORD how disc, drum and parking brakes work, what advantages they offer and how long brake pads and brake discs last on average.
Brakes are one of the most important safety elements of a car. Their function is based on the principle of friction, in which kinetic energy is converted into heat.
Disc and drum brakes are installed as service and parking brakes (also known as hand brakes).
A basic distinction is made between disc brakes and drum brakes, both of which are also used as parking brakes. Disc brakes are the most common type, consisting of a brake disc connected to the wheel hub, a carrier with caliper and the brake pads. Stopping is achieved by friction, which is caused by the pads being pressed against the friction surface of the disc.
With a drum brake, brake shoes in a constantly rotating drum are pressed against the wall of the drum from the inside to stop it. In addition to the two variants, the parking brake, which is attached to the brake system on the rear wheel by means of a brake cable or as an electronic system with a pushbutton switch and servomotor on the wheel brake, secures the vehicle when parked or when starting off on a hill.
The service life of brake discs and pads depends on the model, among other things. In addition, they are subjected to different loads on the front and rear axles, which means that not all brakes necessarily need to be replaced at the same time.
Brake discs generally have a longer life expectancy compared to the cheaper brake pads. However, there is no "minimum service life", as this depends very much
As a rough estimate, the life expectancy of a brake pad is around 50,000 kilometres. Brake discs usually achieve twice this mileage of approx. 100,000 kilometres.
Wear or abrasion means loss of material on the surface. In the case of brake pads and brake discs, this is caused by friction and manifests itself as brake dust.
Another cause of wear is rust, which occurs when a vehicle is not moved for a long period of time. If moisture reaches the brake disc or drum, rust film can form. In short: heat development during braking and external influences such as the weather put a strain on the brakes.
Autumn is the time to put your vehicle through its paces. The brakes in particular must be reliable, otherwise you and other road users could be at risk. A brake check is therefore advisable.
This can be carried out independently on a quiet stretch of road or in a specialised workshop. Here, all wearing parts of the brake system, its function and performance can be checked. You will find out exactly when discs, pads or the fluid need to be changed.
In autumn, many roads are covered with leaves. Especially in combination with rain, this can become a hazard and cause braking distances to almost double. Therefore, take your foot off the accelerator.
Speed should be adjusted in mud, fog, leaves and wet conditions. If visibility is less than 50 metres due to fog, snowfall or rain, a maximum speed of 50 km/h is prescribed.
It is important to maintain sufficient distance to avoid rear-end collisions even if the braking distance is longer. Depending on the environmental conditions, the distance varies and depends on the situation, so there is no general formula for calculating this. If you always keep a sufficient distance and adjust your speed, you will get through the autumn safely even with an extended braking distance.