A well-maintained set of brakes should last you for tens of thousands of miles, but brake pads do wear down over time and will eventually need replacing. With a little patience and some elbow grease you can do the job yourself, and save some money in the process. If you would rather leave it to a pro, your local NAPA AutoCare Center can help.

Before You Get Started

There are a few things you should know before changing your brake pads. First, most vehicles have a “sliding caliper” brake assembly, but some have a “fixed caliper” assembly. In this guide, we will be working with a “sliding caliper” brake assembly. Second, change the brake pads one side at a time, from start to finish. You can turn the steering wheel toward the side you are working on, to allow for better access to the brake pads and calipers.

Check for Brake Wear

Conveniently, most brake pads have a wear indicator, which warns you when the pads have worn down. The wear indicator is a small piece of metal embedded in the brake pad that makes contact with the rotor when the pad wears down, resulting in a squealing noise as you apply the brakes. If you hear this sound, it’s time to change your brake pads.

Things you’ll need from your garage or your local NAPA AUTO PARTS Store:

• New brake pads
• C-clamp (some vehicles will require a brake caliper tool)
• Graphite-based grease
• Jack and jack stands
• Lug wrench
• Wrench (a socket, open or adjustable wrench should work)
• Disposable mechanic’s gloves
• Dust mask and safety glasses

Step 1

Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel, then jack up the vehicle and place the jack stands underneath the frame. Check your vehicle’s manual for exact positioning of the jack and jack stands. Once the jack stands are in place, lower the jack so that the vehicle is completely supported by the jack stands. Finish removing the lug nuts and remove the wheel.

Before you continue, examine the brake rotor (disc) for damage and wear. You may notice grooves in the brake rotor. If the grooves are deep, or if the rotor looks damaged, you may need to have the rotors replaced or “turned” on a brake lathe. Take the vehicle to your nearest NAPA AutoCare Center if your rotors are damaged.

Step 2

Locate the two slider bolts that hold the caliper in place. Use your wrench to loosen the lower bolt and slide it out. The bolt will be long but should slide out easily once removed. Leave the top bolt in place.

Step 3

Once you have removed the lower slider bolt, pivot the caliper off the rotor. The caliper will still be connected to the brake line, however the line is made of flexible rubber and should allow you to pivot the caliper with no problems. Make sure the brake line is free of kinks when you pivot the caliper.

Step 4

Remove any retaining clips, pins or bolts that may be holding the brake pads in place. Then slide out the old pads. At this point, you can thoroughly examine the brake pads. If they are 1/8″ thick or less, they need replacing.

Step 5

New brake pads usually come with new retaining clips. The clips may be specific to either the left or right side of the vehicle, so make sure that you are using the appropriate clip. Remove the old clips and replace them with new ones. They will easily snap into place. Applying graphite-based grease to the clips will help keep your brakes from squeaking.

Step 6

Slide the new brake pads into place. They should easily slip into the greased retaining clips. The new brake pads will have shims either riveted to the brake pad or unattached. If your brake pads have unattached shims, they will need to be held into place until you lock the pads in place.

Step 7

It is now time to lower the caliper back into position, but before you can do so, you will have to retract the caliper pistons so they will fit over the thicker, new brake pads. First, remove the brake fluid reservoir cap, to lessen the pressure of the brake fluid. Then, place the threaded end of the c-clamp against the caliper piston and tighten the c-clamp, pushing the piston back. If the c-clamp doesn’t seem to be working, don’t force it. Some vehicles require a specialty brake caliper tool to retract the pistons.

Step 8

Once the pistons have been retracted, pivot the brake caliper back into position over the rotor. If the caliper doesn’t fit over the new pads, the pistons may not have been retracted completely. Once the caliper fits back into position, insert the lower slider bolt and tighten it down. Make sure the upper slider bolt is secure, as well.

Step 9

Replace the cap on the brake fluid reservoir, straighten the steering wheel and pump the brakes a few times from inside the car until the brakes are properly seated. Next, Put the wheel back on and tighten the lug nuts. Lower the vehicle off the jack stand. Once the vehicle is back on the ground, finish tightening the lug nuts.

Start over from step one and repeat the process to change the brake pads on the other side of the vehicle. Once complete, take the vehicle for a test drive to make sure that your work was successful.

More from Team Valvoline:
Inside Brakes and How They Operate
Choosing the Right Brake Pads

IMPORTANT TIPS:

• Consult your owner’s manual or visit your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store to ensure you purchase the correct brake pads for your vehicle.
• You’ll need to know the year, make, model and, in some cases, engine type of your car when you buy supplies. If you use our NAPA Know How App, you can scan your VIN so you’ll always have the information you need.
• Make sure your vehicle is securely supported. You will need two jack stands to support the front of your vehicle.
• Use mechanic’s gloves and wear a dust mask and safety glasses to protect from brake dust and other debris.
• Remember, you can always take your vehicle to a NAPA AutoCare Center and have your brakes replaced for you.

One out of every five vehicles on the road needs a new belt. Our NAPA Know How guide helps you through the steps necessary for proper diagnosis.

The introduction of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) belts in the late 1990’s have made wear detection harder than with the old neoprene belts. Still, there are indicators to look for that signal it’s time for a new belt.

Learn the signs of belt wear and how to save money on belt replacement below. If you’re confident in your ability to tackle this moderately difficult job, use this guide to help you do it properly. If you prefer to leave it to a professional, take your vehicle to your local NAPA AutoCare Center.

Make smart repair decisions. If your vehicle needs a drive belt accessory component like an alternator or water pump replaced, install a new belt at the same time. If you’re doing it yourself, you’ll save time. If you take it to the shop, chances are you will pay only for the belt and not the labor to install it.

Perform preventative maintenance. One way to make sure your belts are up to par is to schedule a belt replacement during a routine checkup. If a belt has 65,000 to 70,000 miles on it and your vehicle is already in the shop, go ahead and replace the belts. The technician should also check the condition of the automatic belt tensioner to ensure that the new belt is properly tensioned.

Inspect belts for wear. Some of the visual signs that indicate it’s time for belt replacement are abrasion/misalignment, cracking, glazing or pilling.

• Abrasion/misalignment: The nylon on your belt is essential. If there are any tears, they may cause misalignment and your belt won’t work properly. If the belt is misaligned and slipping, you will hear unusual noise or feel vibrations.
• Cracking: With Neoprene belts, it was common to look for three cracks in three inches, as a rule that the belt’s life was over and it needed to be replaced. The new EPDM belts are built to resist cracking, making it harder to notice wear at first glance. With EPDM belts, look for rubber loss that’s similar to how a tire wears out over time. The loss of just 5% of the belt material can cause the ribs of the belt to “bottom out” on the pulley(s). This accelerates belt wear and causes it to slip, which may affect the water pump, alternator or air conditioning compressor performance.
• Glazing: The belt is hard at work bending and flexing against a pulley, producing heat that causes its rubber to harden over time. If the belt gets loose, the added friction makes it hotter. This causes glazing and makes the belt slip more.
• Pilling: As your belt ages, it loses material that can build up in the belt grooves. This can contribute to a lack of tension, misalignment and worn pulleys.

Know the two major causes of belt failure: improper tension and misalignment. Vehicles using a single serpentine belt often use an automatic belt tensioning system. This system is designed to apply a constant force on a belt. The tensioner compensates for belt length changes due to wear or load changes within the system. The tensioner and associated pulleys should always be checked for wear when changing the belt. Tensioners normally fail at the same rate as belts fail.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mark the rotation direction on the belt.
2. Unload the belt from the tensioner by rotating the tensioner.
3. Remove the old tensioner from the engine (if the tensioner is being replaced).
4. Install the new tensioner.
5. Torque the mounting bolts to 1/3 installation torque in a star pattern.
6. Retighten the bolts to 2/3 torque, then to full torque.
7. Install the belt in the same direction as the old belt.
8. Load the belt on the tensioner by rotating the tensioner as indicated (see rotate to load pointer).
9. Tighten the belt until the pointer falls between the two marks.
10. The gauge window, showing the maximum and minimum marks, is located on an area between the base and arm of the tensioner assembly.

More from Team Valvoline:
Car Belts and How They Work
When to Replace Your Serpentine Belt

IMPORTANT TIPS:

• The performance of your accessories is directly affected by the condition of your belts. Just a 5% loss of material can affect component performance.
• You’ll need to know the year, make, model and, in some cases, engine type of your car when you buy supplies. If you use our NAPA Know How App, you can scan your VIN so you’ll always have the information you need.
• Never use belt dressing or any type of substance to coat the belt. Contamination from applying a substance on the belt will adversely affect belt life.
• There are no serviceable parts inside a tensioner. The entire assembly must be replaced.
• When re-installing a belt, clean the pulley groves. Dirt or paint on the pulleys may cause belt noise.
• A belt failure affects the driveability of the vehicle, potentially leaving passengers stranded until a new belt is installed. Include belt replacement in your vehicle’s preventative maintenance schedule.

Maintaining good tires help improve your car’s gas mileage, improve tire life, and give a smoother ride. It is vital that you consistently inspect your tires for pressure and wear to make sure that your vehicle is safe. By following the steps below, you can learn how to maintain tires, saving you money and helping your vehicle operate at its best.

Things you’ll need from your garage or your local NAPA AUTO PARTS Store:

• Tire gauge
• Tread depth gauge (or a penny)
• Air compressor

What does the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) System do?

Variable Valve Timing (VVT) systems are designed to reduce emissions and maximize engine performance and fuel economy. Variable Valve Timing (VVT) systems utilize oil pressurized solenoids and camshaft phasing sprockets to change the timing of a valve lift event throughout the engine RPM range.

Why would the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) System fail?

Every Variable Valve Timing (VVT) system is slightly different, but there are general guidelines to follow to ensure proper performance: Regularly service the engine oil and filter and use the manufacturer’s required engine oil type. When oil change intervals are extended beyond the recommended manufacturer’s guidelines, engine oil sludge can clog critical oil passageways and create failure prone conditions. Material or electrical malfunctions from regular usage can also contribute towards Variable Valve Timing (VVT) System failure.

How to determine if the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) System is malfunctioning?

The check engine light (CEL) will be activated when the powertrain control module (PCM) detects unordinary engine conditions. A poor performing or failed Variable Valve Timing (VVT) system will result in poor engine idle/stalling, increased engine noise and reduced power output. Engine codes can vary from year/make/model and can include the following:

Where are the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) System components located?

Inside the engine compartment the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) parts are found on or around the cylinder head block and timing chain/belt cover and may require the removal of electrical plugs and access to the engine camshaft timing system.

Advantages of using a NAPA OE Solutions Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Replacement Unit are:

1. Complete control of the manufacturing process from componentry to finished product to ensure long-life.
2. Engineered to meet or improve upon OE specifications which ensures optimal performance and installation.
3. NAPA OE Solutions Variable Valve Timing (VVT) repair parts are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
4. Broad applications coverage for most vehicles equipped with VVT systems.
5. Value added components such as O-rings, seals, and hardware are included for a wide range of vehicle applications.

Read more about hydraulic systems, vvts and engine lubrication basics on our Know How Blog