The brake system is the most crucial safety system in your car. Unlike a flat tire or dead battery, however, brake wear takes place slowly, and many drivers don’t notice that something is amiss until it is too late (or too late and costly).
So, what’s the expected lifespan of brakes? However, how do you know when it’s time to replace them? At Busy Bots Auto, our ASE certified mechanics have made a list of things every Las Vegas driver should know.
Brake Pad Lifespan: How Long Do They Last?
The short answer: It depends. Typically, the life of most brake pads ranges from 25,000 to 70,000 miles, depending on how the car is used and the type of brake pad.
The most important factors to consider in brake pad longevity are as follows:
Your driving habits.
Going to work in the city and stopping and starting often wears pads out faster than highway driving for the same number of miles. When driving through the Strip or roads that lead to 215, you have to use your brakes more often than someone driving on the open desert.
The type of vehicle in which you are traveling.
The heavier the vehicle the more the braking systems have to cope with and deal with each time it stops – trucks, SUVs and full-size vans are especially hard on the brake system each time it stops. Some more aggressive brake compounds are used in Europe’s sports cars and performance vehicles and wear down faster as designed.
Brake pad material.
Organic pads are soft and quieter, but do not last as long. Semi-metallic pads will conduct heat better and last longer. The most durable and performance are ceramic pads, but they come at a higher initial price.
Las Vegas, landscape and cars.
There are many on and off ramps and traffic lights between Summerlin and Henderson to slow down. Brake fluid, rubber components can also wear out from road and summer heat.
As a rule of thumb, brake replacement could occur every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, depending on driving habits.
But What About Brake Rotors?
Typically, rotors (metal discs against which brake pads press) will last between 50,000 to 70,000 miles or less or more, depending on the vehicle and driving conditions. Many times rotors can be resurfaced rather than replaced depending on the rotor being installed below the minimum thickness specified by the manufacturer.
It’s a good idea to get your rotors checked at the same time as you replace your brake pads. One of the common double service scenarios is the situation where a pad is worn or warped on a rotor.
When Your Brakes Are Giving You Signs to Pay Attention to Now
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, don’t put it off to your next oil change. Some of these are an indicator of an issue that requires immediate action.
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Squealing or squeaking when you brake.
This is typically the initial indication and it’s deliberate. Most brake pads have a small metal wear indicator that will emit a high pitched squeal when the brake material is worn. When you hear it all the time when you’re braking, it’s time to have it checked.
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Moving the Grinding Mass by an eccentric shaft.
If the squealing has now become a grinding noise, then the pads are completely worn and the metal backing plate is touching the rotor. This causes rotors to wear out rapidly, and the stopping power is reduced. Don’t delay.
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Brake pedal is soft or spongy.
If the footplate does not regain its normal level after being depressed or if it needs to be depressed further to stop, then it may be due to the presence of air in the brake lines or a problem with the brake fluid. This is a safety issue and should be immediately assessed.
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Vibration or Pulsing On Stopping”.
When you break, if the steering wheel or brake pedal shakes, then it means the rotors are warped. This occurs when rotors become hot or wear unevenly, impacting stopping distances and comfort.
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When braking, the Car pulls to one side.
If your car pulls to one side when you brake, it may be due to uneven brake wear, a sticking caliper or a brake fluid leak. This will impact your driving ability and is not something to be overlooked.
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The Brake Warning Light Comes On
A brake system warning light is found on most vehicles today. If it does light up, it may be because your brake fluid level is low, your brake pads might be worn (on vehicles with pad sensors), or there’s a more serious hydraulic problem. Get it scanned and checked out in a timely fashion.
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Burnt odour when braking heavily.
A pungent or burning odor following heavy braking, such as when driving down a steep hill or when repeatedly braking in traffic can be a sign of overheated brake pads or a caliper sticking. If it continues to occur while driving normally, have it checked.
Tips for Longer Brake Life
While there is no way to prevent brake wear, there are some savvy practices that will help to reduce it.
Ease into stops. Last second hard stops cause more heat and stress on pads and rotors than gradual braking.
Keep a distance behind. The greater the distance from the vehicle ahead, the more time you will have to decelerate naturally (without braking.
Avoid using the brakes on down slopes. Never keep constant pressure on the brake pedal, especially when descending long distances use engine braking (down shift gears on the manual or lower gears on the automatic).
Regularly change brake fluid. Moisture in the brakes fluid reduces its boiling point, and can cause problems under heavy braking. Most manufacturers call for a change every 2 years or 30,000 miles.
Perform regular inspections. A brake check or tune up always includes checking the thickness of the brake pads and the condition of the brake rotors. Do not wait until the damage is easily visible to make the repairs as this may be expensive and you may not be safe.
If in any doubt, have it checked.
Never take a waiting and seeing approach on brakes. If you notice one or more of the above symptoms, or it has been more than a year since you last had your brakes inspected, visit your Rockwoods Automotive shop.
Busy Bots Auto’s ASE certified technicians have over 35 years experience in diagnosing and repairing brake systems on all types of vehicles, including the European brands. We will tell you what your brakes need and we will not try to upsell anything to you and we won’t try to charge anything.
Schedule your brake inspection today. 📍 6940 W Patrick Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89113 📞 (702) 399-7007 🕐 Mon–Fri: 8am–6pm | Sat: 8am–2pm
Some of the most common questions regarding car brakes are:
One way to determine if your car’s brake pads are worn is to check for a squeaking sound when the brakes are applied.
A: The safest way is to listen. The most frequent initial warning signal is a regular squealing sound during braking; it is a designed squeal that warns you. The other method is to simply look at the material in the wheel spokes against the rotor and if it appears to be less than ¼-inch (the size of a pencil eraser) then it’s time to check it.
Q: Can I drive with worn brake pads?
Not securely and not for long. When pads wear below the acceptable limit, stopping times are longer and rotor damage immediately begins. If it is only a pad replacement, it can easily become a “pad and rotor replacement” doubling the cost. Stop for grinding and call us.
The cost of a brake job in Las Vegas varies based on the specific type of repair needed and the overall condition of the brakes?
The price depends on the type of service you are interested in, such as just pads, pads and rotors, or a full brake system service. We provide a free diagnostic here at Busy Bots Auto so you are aware of what is necessary before any work is done and no surprise quotes or upselling of parts you don’t need.
What about the front and rear brakes wearing the same?
A: No, more stopping power (60-70%) is applied by front brakes, making them wear sooner than rear brakes. There is a tendency to change front pads two or even three times before rear pads must be replaced.
When is the proper time to change brake fluid?
A: Most manufacturers recommend changing every 2 years or 30,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning that it will absorb moisture from the air over time, reducing its boiling point, and potentially causing spongy pedal feel or reduced braking under heavy braking use. This is more important than in cooler climates with Las Vegas heat.
European cars do not require a special brake service?
A: Often, yes. In many European models, such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volkswagen, or Porsche, there are electronic sensors that alert the driver when the brake pads are worn out, and they only work with OEM or equivalent parts. Sensor error and uneven wear may occur when using generic pads. Specially dedicated to European vehicles, Busy Bots Auto are stocked with the correct parts.
Q: Can rotors be resurfaced or is it necessary to replace them?
A: Yes, if they’re above the manufacturer’s minimum thickness. Resurfacing is an effective solution when there is still life left in the rotor and is not a costly procedure. At each brake check, our mechanics will check the thickness of the rotor and will always suggest the safest and most economical option, never the most expensive option.
The difference between brake pads and brake shoes is that brake shoes are found on drum brakes, while brake pads are used on disc brakes?
Disc Brakes are the most common braking system on the front of almost all modern cars, and on the rear of most; brake pads are used in conjunction with disc brakes. Drum brake systems still equipped on the rear axle of some economy cars and older cars uses brake shoes. Disc brakes are more efficient and heat dissipates better, drum brakes are easier and less expensive to make.