Triangle Radiator & Auto Service – How Long Will My Brakes Last?

Applying a firm guideline for how long your vehicle’s brake pads and rotors should last is more difficult than predicting gas mileage, for example. Brake lifespan generally depends upon how often, where and how we drive. Brakes pads wear down at various rates based on these factors, so it’s tough to determine with accuracy how often they should be replaced.

How Long Will My Brakes Last?

As a rule of thumb, brakes tend to wear down faster if most of your time at the wheel is in an urban setting like Chicago, where motorists do a lot of starting and stopping. This is applicable to both brake pads and rotors.

For most drivers in the city, it’s recommended that you get new brake pads every 15,000 miles. Rotors usually last substantially longer than brake pads, and it’s often possible to get them resurfaced instead of replacing them.

If you drive a hybrid or an electric vehicle, the brakes typically will last longer because their regenerative brake systems provide much of the stopping power, lowering wear on the brake pads and brake rotors. Also, braking early for a gradual stop doesn’t cause increased brake wear and helps recharge vehicle batteries for powering the motor. For electric vehicles, brake pads can last as long as 80,000 miles.

If your vehicle’s steering wheel feels like it is drawing you over to one side or another when you apply the brake pedal, it could signal that the brake linings are wearing down in an uneven pattern. This could mean the brake system needs an adjustment, or that the brake rotors or pads need replacement. If you detect a vibration when you press the brake pedal, it likely signals that your car’s brake rotors are warped and due for replacement.

Your brakes are your car’s most important safety feature – bring it to our full-service shop at 4060 North Elston Avenue at the first sign of problems with your brakes.