Everything About Brake Pad Wear Sensors You Should Know

Everything About Brake Pad Wear Sensors You Should Know

How do brake pad sensors work? Do you need to replace your brake pad wear sensor? If yes, when you should change it? Find it out here.

Even though brake pad wear sensor technology might seem something new to some people but they have been around for quite a while. The purpose of the brake pad sensors is to inform when brake pads need to be replaced. Therefore, it is important that you know how they work and when to replace them. Follow us!

What Is A Brake Pad Wear Sensor?

With time, brake pads happen to wear out. There isn’t any fixed time for it but it largely depends on the driving style and the vehicle type. Furthermore, road conditions, speed, load and the type of pads and discs used could also impact the speed at which wearing out happens, making it actually difficult for drivers and technicians to determine when a new set maybe needed. However, with the introduction of brake pad wear sensor, this uncertainty has been removed and in some vehicles the system will also predict when they will wear out. This is perfect for helping an owner out with planning brake jobs and keeping the braking system in a good working condition in order to ensure a safe and controlled drive.

How Do They Work?

Today brake pad wear sensors happen to be an update of the traditional metal tabs that were found in older vehicles with older braking systems. When the pads rubbed against the discs, it produced a loud squeaking sound, providing a clue to the driver that the pads have reached their maximum limit and now need to be replaced.

Electronic brake pad sensors happen to remove the tab by incorporating a small sensor with a loop of wire, with low current passing through it. As the pad begins to wear out, the loop gets exposed, which then makes contact with the rotor or disc, resulting in an open circuit. This will turn on the check light in the dashboard, indicating that a service is due. However, the latest sensors today take the game a bit further by predicting how many miles are left on brake pads. Usually known as two-stage sensors, these brake sensors feature two resistor circuits that happen to run parallel to each other at different heights in the sensor housing.

Upon the first circuit being breached, the resistance in the second increases and the system then calculates how much life is left in the brake pad by using inputs such as brake pressure, speed, mileage, brake temperature and brake operating time. This could be displayed by a physical number on the dashboard or by a light that changes color. Once the second circuit is broken, the circuit then becomes open, indicating that the brake pads are now completely worn.

When Do Brake Pad Wear Sensors Need To Be Replaced?

Even though it is always advised to physically inspect the brake pad sensors upon getting the brakes serviced but the sensors are prone to breaking and should be replaced every time new brake pads are put in. Furthermore, the heat from the brakes could also damage both wiring and clips.

Conclusion In the end, brake pad wear sensors are affordable and easy to replace and getting them replaced should not be an issue. Therefore, whenever you get the brakes serviced, make sure that they are replaced as well.