How many years do new brakes last? (2023)

How many years do new brakes last?

Most car brakes will last between 25,000 and 60,000 miles–between three and six years for most daily drivers–but some sets may last even longer for those who exercise good habits.

There's actually no standard answer to this question. Many car manufacturers estimate that a braking pad can last anywhere from 20,000 to 70,000 miles. However, on average, most car owners replace their brake pads after about 40,000 miles.

Brake pads must be periodically replaced as they wear down and lose their effectiveness at smoothly and quietly stopping a vehicle. Brake pads theoretically last up to 70,000 miles. However, poor driving habits reduce their lifespan and can make it so brake pads require replacement after only 25,000 miles.

While brake maintenance is recommended at 20,000-60,000 miles or inspected every six months, most people have this done every time they get their tires rotated. Depending on the road and traffic type you drive daily, you may need inspections more frequently.

As a general rule, you should get your brake pads replaced every 10,000 to 20,000 miles to keep wear to a minimum. When it comes to your rotors, you have a bit longer. Your rotors should be replaced between 50,000 and 70,000 miles to keep your brakes in peak health.

Average brake life runs between 25,000 and 65,000 miles, though some people will have brake pads last beyond 80,000 miles. While it's impossible to give an exact number, the 40,000-mile range is the general mileage to keep in mind when planning for vehicle maintenance.

Your front brake pads will also wear down faster than your rear pads. The front of your vehicle handles a lot more weight transfer as you brake, causing more wear. Over time heat and friction also contribute to brake pad wear.

Sometimes, pads wear down too quickly because your calipers don't work correctly. Calipers push pads against the rotor to initiate braking. If a caliper jams or sticks, then it might leave the pad on the surface for longer than necessary. The pad will wear down more quickly because it stays on the rotor for too long.

You can damage the brake rotors and calipers.

Your car's brakes are a closely-connected system of moving parts, and when one component is damaged, the wear can trickle down into other elements. For example, when your brake pads wear down past a certain point, you can risk damaging the brake rotors.

Is it worth getting brakes serviced?

Brake servicing is a standard part of auto maintenance, just like changing your oil or replacing old tires. It's important to have your brakes checked by a good mechanic because they can spot the differences between normal wear and tear and a more serious issue.

While it might seem more cost-effective to just replace the worn pads, it can be dangerous and unwise in the long run as all four pads should always be replaced together. Regular brake maintenance is essential to ensure your vehicle's performance and safety on the road.

If your rotors are faulty, they may produce a squeaking, squealing, or grinding sound when you apply the brakes. Warped rotors usually emit a high-pitched squeak, while severely worn rotors tend to make a scraping noise.

Some common symptoms of bad rotors include vibration or pulsation in the steering wheel, high-pitched squealing noise when braking, shaking steering wheel, brake pedal pulsing, vehicle taking a long time to stop, loud bangs while braking, large edges on the outer part of the brake rotor, and scratch marks on the rotor.

You don't always have to replace rotors when replacing brake pads. The frequency of rotor replacement depends on factors like rotor quality and driving conditions. However, if your mechanic finds warped or worn rotors beyond the minimum discard thickness, they recommend replacing them together with brake pads.

Most drivers get somewhere between two and five years on a set of brake pads.

On many cars, the brake pad can be seen through the wheel. Look at it to determine its thickness. If it seems very thin, less than ¼ inch, it is likely in need of replacement, according to J.D. Power. Some brake pads have a slot in the center that serves as a wear indicator.

You need to consider how long the pads are designed to last as well as the rotor when engaging the brake pads. Noise and Vibration: You'll want to consider how much noise, vibration, and even pedal feel pressing down on the brake pad will cause. Dust Levels: Brake pads may collect dust that then clings to your wheel.

Several telltale signs will let you know when to change brake pads or other components of your braking system. If you hear a squealing sound or your car pulls to one side when braking, you probably need your brakes checked. A low brake fluid warning light on your dashboard can also indicate an issue.

When Should You Change Brake Pads And Rotors? On average, brake pads should be replaced every 25,000 to 65,000 miles, while rotors typically should be changed anywhere from 30,000 to 70,000 miles. However, the exact number can differ depending on driving conditions and styles.

How long does 4 mm of brake pads last?

Brake pads should be replaced once they reach 3mm. To acquire a thickness of 3 to 4 millimetres, it should take around 50,000 miles (or thereabouts). Depending on how frequently and hard you brake, 20k miles may be more reasonable for some people while 50k miles may be regarded the norm.

As a general rule, you should get your brake pads replaced every 10,000 to 20,000 miles to keep wear to a minimum. When it comes to your rotors, you have a bit longer. Your rotors should be replaced between 50,000 and 70,000 miles to keep your brakes in peak health.

Brake wear recommendations

We've heard that some local shops are recommending replacement with 30% left, and feel that is a waste. It might be helpful to hear at 30% that brake pad replacement should be coming soon, but there is still plenty of good wear at 30%.

As a rough estimate, you can expect your brake discs to have a lifetime of around 80,000 – 120,000 miles.

You don't always have to replace rotors when replacing brake pads. The frequency of rotor replacement depends on factors like rotor quality and driving conditions. However, if your mechanic finds warped or worn rotors beyond the minimum discard thickness, they recommend replacing them together with brake pads.

Just give yourself plenty of time to brake at all stops and lights. Try not to gun or work your brakes really hard during those first 500 miles. Otherwise, you run the risk of overheating the brake pads. What happens is, they'll get “glazed” (from overheating).

While it might seem more cost-effective to just replace the worn pads, it can be dangerous and unwise in the long run as all four pads should always be replaced together. Regular brake maintenance is essential to ensure your vehicle's performance and safety on the road.

Brake pads should typically be replaced when approximately 1/8" to 3/16" of friction material remains on the steel backing plate. Brake rotors should be replaced before their thickness has reached the prescribed "Worn Rotor Minimum Thickness" limit (expressed in millimeters) engraved on the edge of the brake disc.

We recommend you replace your brake pads at 2mm or even 3mm at times.

Why do my brake pads wear out quickly?

Sometimes, pads wear down too quickly because your calipers don't work correctly. Calipers push pads against the rotor to initiate braking. If a caliper jams or sticks, then it might leave the pad on the surface for longer than necessary. The pad will wear down more quickly because it stays on the rotor for too long.

If your rotors are faulty, they may produce a squeaking, squealing, or grinding sound when you apply the brakes. Warped rotors usually emit a high-pitched squeak, while severely worn rotors tend to make a scraping noise.

To check the life of the brake pad, you need to determine its thickness. You might need a flashlight to get a good look at the brake pad. If the pads look thin, less than 1/4", it might be time to get them replaced. On some brake pads, you might see a wear indicator slot down the center of the pad.

To measure your rotor's minimum operational thickness, place a micrometer at the thinnest point on the rotor's surface where it meets the brake pads. If your rotor has worn past this thickness or needs to be cut, you need new rotors.