Volkswagen Brake Pad Replacement
Brake Pad Replacement Service & Information At Archer Volkswagen
Whether it's stop-and-go traffic around the greater Houston, TX area or an adventurous road trip, it's important to know that the brakes on your Volkswagen are ready for whatever surprises are waiting around the corner. So, what should you know about VW brake system service and maintenance? For the most part, keeping up with regularly scheduled maintenance as laid out in your VW owner's manual is all you need to know. Of course, it's best to have this work done by an authorized Volkswagen service center like ours. We'll tell you a little more about brake pad replacement service and how it relates to the broader scheduled maintenance below.
Why Is It So Important To Have Your Brake Pads Replaced?
If brake pads are not replaced once the pad material begins to wear out, the vehicle is at much greater risk of damaging other brake system components. This includes the brake rotors and calipers, which can turn affordable routine maintenance into a big bill that is ultimately avoidable. Think of your car's brakes like a big hydraulic clamp.
When you press the brake pedal, you're creating hydraulic pressure at the brake calipers. These are located at each wheel that's equipped with disc brakes. For most modern VW models, you'll find these disc brakes at all four wheels. The contact between the brake caliper and the spinning brake discs is done with brake pads. These pads are engineered so that the pad material slowly wears away. It's also called a sacrificial material.
As the thickness of this material gets thin enough, the pads will need to be replaced before the pad material is completely worn away leaving only the steel pad backing to contact the brake rotor. Fortunately, most modern disc brakes are also equipped with a small metal tab that will ring out once the brake pad material gets low. That way, you'll know that it's time for new brake pads.
How Often Should You Replace VW Brake Pads?
Fortunately, brake pad replacement service is not something that should need to be done very frequently. However, there are some caveats here. Perhaps the biggest difference in how long a set of brake pads will last comes down to how the vehicle is driven. Take your daily commute, for instance. Is it full of high-traffic stop and go driving that means taking way too long to travel a relatively short distance? That's just about as hard as you can be on your brakes outside of a racetrack. Of course, a lot of hard, late braking will tend to chew through a set of brake pads quite quickly. So, how long will a set of brake pads last on a typical VW?
If you're mostly gentle on the brakes, you should get somewhere in the neighborhood of 50,000 miles out of them. However, this really does vary wildly depending on how the vehicle is driven and what kind of brake pads were installed. In fact, the quality of the brake pad can make a bigger difference in how long it lasts than how hard the brakes are used. If you've ever thought you'd save a few bucks by putting on the cheapest brake pads from an auto parts box store, you can likely speak to this point. Consider that if low quality brake pads cost half as much but must also be replaced three times as often, you're simply not saving any money. It's why we strongly recommend always sticking to OEM and factory-approved parts when taking care of your vehicle, no matter what brand it is.
Schedule Volkswagen Brake Pad Replacement Service In Houston, TX
We understand that car maintenance and repair is rarely convenient, but we want to change that at Archer Volkswagen. With VW Service Xpress, basic upkeep like oil changes and tire rotations can be done quickly and efficiently so you're back on the road without unnecessary delay. To make things even easier when it's time for more involved maintenance, schedule your next service right here online. We look forward to showing you just how easy it is to take the best care of your Volkswagen.
Why Bring Your VW To Our Dealership Service Center?
At Archer Volkswagen, we're proud to represent the renowned German engineering behind every VW model. In fact, no one knows your Volkswagen better than the technicians in our certified service center. They've been extensively trained by the factory in all things Volkswagen and they'll only use parts and products that have been approved by the engineers who designed your VW in the first place. It's all in stark contrast to most independent shops where substandard aftermarket parts are used by mechanics that aren't consistently trained by Volkswagen. And, contrary to rumor, the prices at our dealership service center are competitive with most neighborhood mechanic garages and franchise repair shops. In fact, check out our frequently updated VW service coupons to save even more. We invite you to give us a call with any questions or swing by our location at 10400 Southwest Frwy, Houston, TX 77074 when it's convenient.