How Often Should You Replace Your Car’s Brake Pads and Rotors?
Regular brake inspections are an essential part of car maintenance. Not only are worn or damaged brakes a safety hazard, but brakes that are not functioning properly can cause damage to other parts of your car, like your tires. In this blog post, we’ll break down (pun intended) everything you need to know about brake maintenance, including:
- How often you should get your brakes checked
- When to replace components like pads and rotors
- Signs that your vehicle needs a brake inspection
- Factors that affect the lifespan of your brakes
How Often Should You Get Your Brakes Checked?
When you bring your car in for its annual diagnostic visit, your technician will inspect your entire vehicle, including the brakes. This is a great time to ask questions or even have your technician show you what a worn brake pad looks like.
In addition to your annual visit, bring your car in for a brake inspection any time something feels off with the brakes. This could be a scraping, grinding or metal-on-metal sound, pulling to one side or a spongy loose feeling in the brake pedal.
Don’t delay a brake check. Bring your car in as soon as you sense a problem.
Timeline for Brake and Rotor Repair
The components that make up your braking system will naturally wear down over time. Check your owner’s manual for the best information on how often to replace pads, rotors and other components. Here are some general guidelines on when each component should be replaced:
Brake pads. These braking components sit between the calipers and rotors on each wheel of your car. They provide the friction necessary to stop your vehicle. Because of the high level of friction, they will need to be replaced regularly.
How long brake pads last depends on a number of factors, including the make and model of your car and driving habits. In general, plan to replace your brake pads every 10,000 to 20,000 miles. If you start to hear squeaking or squealing coming from your brakes, bring them regardless of what the odometer reads.
Rotors. The rotors come in contact with the brake pads. They are made of metal or ceramic and are designed to last longer than pads but will need replacement about every 50,000 to 70,000 miles.
Brake fluid. Your technician will check your brake fluid and may recommend flushing and replacing it every 20,000 to 45,000 miles or roughly every two years to keep it from becoming contaminated. Contaminated brake fluid can cause your brakes to fail.
Calipers. Calipers squeeze the brake pads against the rotors as you brake. They should last at least 10 years and up to 100,000 miles if well cared for. Aggressive driving and frequent hard braking may cut down on the lifespan of calipers.
Remember to check your owner’s manual and consult with your technician at each annual visit. They will be able to give you insight into when to replace each brake component.
Factors Affecting Brake and Rotor Lifespan
Brakes will wear out naturally with use, but there are things you can do to get the most life out of rotors and pads.
Slow down. Higher speeds lead to harder stops, which in turn leads to quicker wear on your brake pads and rotors.
Practice safe stopping. Slamming on the brakes is hard on your entire braking system. The increased friction associated with coming to a sudden stop means your pads will wear down. Rotors and calipers also pay the price for sudden stops.
Avoid stop-start traffic. If possible, avoid heavy traffic situations where you’re constantly stopping and starting. The repetitive braking can cause components to wear down.
Don’t double pedal. We promise we won’t rat you out to your driver’s ed instructor, but if you’re driving your automatic car with one foot on the brake and one on the gas, there are a number of reasons you should stop doing that — and brake wear is among them. Using your left foot to brake leads to more brake tapping, which means quicker wear.
Keep it light. The occasional haul can’t be avoided, but try to keep your load light when possible. It takes more energy and friction to stop a car with a trunk full of patio pavers, which adds to the wear and tear.
Flush the line. Regular brake flushing keeps fluid fresh and reduces air bubbles in the brake line, which keeps your brakes in top shape longer.
Signs That Your Brakes Need Replacing
Brakes are designed to let you know when they’re in need of repair or replacement. Here are some top signs your rotors and/or pads need replacing.
Something feels off. Pulsing or vibration — especially when driving over 30 miles per hour — is a sign something is off with your brakes. Bring your car in at the first iffy feeling, as you may be at risk of sudden brake failure. This also goes for pulling or veering sensations, where your car seems to drift to the side on its own.
Something sounds off. Grinding, squealing, squeaking and scraping indicate a brake issue. It may not be serious — brake pads are often equipped with a brake indicator or “squealer” that’s designed to make a noise when it’s time to swap them out.
At the same time, grinding or metal-on-metal sounds can indicate a more serious problem with your brakes. Bring it in as soon as you hear something off.
Something is off. If your brakes feel spongy or like they’re sinking when you apply them, there’s a possible issue with your brake fluid. Fading brakes take longer than they should to stop, putting you at risk of rear-ending someone.
What to Expect During a Professional Brake Inspection
Whether you’re in for an annual visit or because you sense a problem with your brakes, your expert technician is on the job. Your brake inspection service may include any of the following:
Inspection and adjustments. A throughout once-over of your braking system that includes a visual inspection and possibly a drive test to replicate any issues.
Brake pad replacement. If your pads are worn down to three to four mm (about 1/8 inch) of friction material, it’s time for a replacement.
Brake line repair and replacement. Fluid flush and replacement of the brake lines if they are damaged or worn.
Rotor and drum resurfacing. If the rotors are warped, you may not need a full replacement. A resurface may allow them to fit properly again.
Wheel and master cylinder replacement. The cylinders that convert pressure from your foot into hydraulic pressure need to be replaced periodically.
Parking brake service. Don’t forget the emergency or parking brake. This is included in the inspection and will be repaired or replaced as needed.
Brake Pads and Rotors Replacement Cost
Your actual brake repair cost will depend on your car and the type of replacement parts you choose.
Brake pads. On average, a brake pad replacement will cost between $35 and $150 for parts for all four wheels. Labor can vary but tends to be $80 to $120 per axle, for a total of $115 to $270 per axle.
Rotors. Expect to pay between $30 and $200 per rotor and between $150 and $200 for the labor for each axle, for a total of between $250 and $500 per axle.
Calipers. A single caliper can cost around $130. Complete brake repair that includes the pads, rotors and calipers can end up costing between $300 and $800 per axle.
Maintaining healthy brakes is one of the most important things you can do to keep you and your family safe on the road. Bring your car to your nearest Boyce Auto at the first sign of trouble, and our expert technicians will check your brakes and other systems top-to-bottom, diagnose any issues and recommend repairs to ensure a safe ride.
Up Next: The Importance of Regular Oil Changes: What You Need to Know
