{"id":2649,"date":"2020-06-03T07:20:38","date_gmt":"2020-06-03T13:20:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/?p=2649"},"modified":"2022-06-13T12:29:03","modified_gmt":"2022-06-13T18:29:03","slug":"how-long-brake-pads-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/how-long-brake-pads-last\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Do Brake Pads Last on Average?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When you step on the brakes, hydraulic fluid converts the brake pedal movement into a strong clamping force that stops your vehicle. Your brakes should be strong and reliable, since a short stopping distance could mean the difference between life and death if a small child or animal were to suddenly dart out in front of you.<\/p>\n<p>Brake pads are the components that touch the brake rotors when the brake pedal is depressed, applying friction and pressure to the rotors to slow the turning of the wheels.<\/p>\n<p>Vehicles with disc brakes have brake pads while vehicles with drum brakes do not. The latter is an older style of brake that is not as good at dissipating heat or at slowing the vehicle in wet weather.<\/p>\n<p>Since brake pad material gets slightly used up each time you step on the brake pedal, they won&#8217;t last forever. So how long do brake pads last and what affects their average lifespan?<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_39 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" area-label=\"ez-toc-toggle-icon-1\"><label for=\"item-639b05ce26970\" aria-label=\"Table of Content\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg style=\"fill: #23627c;color:#23627c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #23627c;color:#23627c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-639b05ce26970\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-visibility-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/how-long-brake-pads-last\/#How-Brake-Pads-Wear\" title=\"How Brake Pads Wear\">How Brake Pads Wear<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/how-long-brake-pads-last\/#Average-Life-of-Brake-Pads\" title=\"Average Life of Brake Pads\">Average Life of Brake Pads<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/how-long-brake-pads-last\/#Factors-That-Influence-Brake-Pad-Life\" title=\"Factors That Influence Brake Pad Life\">Factors That Influence Brake Pad Life<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/how-long-brake-pads-last\/#When-to-Replace-Brake-Pads\" title=\"When to Replace Brake Pads\">When to Replace Brake Pads<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/how-long-brake-pads-last\/#1-Squealing-or-Squeaking\" title=\"#1 \u2013 Squealing or Squeaking\">#1 \u2013 Squealing or Squeaking<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/how-long-brake-pads-last\/#2-Thin-Brake-Pads\" title=\"#2 \u2013 Thin Brake Pads\">#2 \u2013 Thin Brake Pads<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/how-long-brake-pads-last\/#3-Indicator-Light\" title=\"#3 \u2013 Indicator Light\">#3 \u2013 Indicator Light<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/how-long-brake-pads-last\/#4-Vibrating-or-Squishy-Brake-Pedal\" title=\"#4 \u2013 Vibrating or Squishy Brake Pedal\">#4 \u2013 Vibrating or Squishy Brake Pedal<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/how-long-brake-pads-last\/#5-Metallic-Grinding-or-Crunching-While-Braking\" title=\"#5 \u2013 Metallic Grinding or Crunching While Braking\">#5 \u2013 Metallic Grinding or Crunching While Braking<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-Brake-Pads-Wear\"><\/span>How Brake Pads Wear<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-505008\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/brake-pads-on-rotor.jpg\" alt=\"average brake pad life\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/brake-pads-on-rotor.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/brake-pads-on-rotor-200x112.jpg 200w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/brake-pads-on-rotor-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Since brake pads help slow the vehicle down by contacting the moving rotors on the wheels, they experience a lot of friction which wears away the brake pad material. The friction also heats up the brakes, which breaks down the pads over time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Average-Life-of-Brake-Pads\"><\/span>Average Life of Brake Pads<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Brake pads are a consumable part since the pad wears down with use. Though there are many factors that can determine the time that brake pads can be safely used on your vehicle, the average lifespan is somewhere between 30,000 and 70,000 miles for most vehicles.<\/p>\n<p>Repeated hard stops will drastically reduce the life of the brake pads but this is expected behavior in a performance application, such as a sports car at a track day.<\/p>\n<p><em>See Also: <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/brake-pads-wear-unevenly\/\">Reasons Why Brake Pads Wear Unevenly<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Factors-That-Influence-Brake-Pad-Life\"><\/span>Factors That Influence Brake Pad Life<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The average brake pad life depends on several factors, including <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/types-of-brake-pads\/\">pad material<\/a>, driving conditions, vehicle type and load, and personal driving style. Here are a few things that affect how long brake pads last.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Driving in areas that require a lot of braking such as mountainous roads or in a place with many stops such as in town or in stop-and-go traffic will wear down the brakes faster, simply because they experience more friction and heat.<\/li>\n<li>Larger, heavier vehicles usually come with stronger, tougher brake pads since they need more help slowing and stopping something with such a large momentum. Vehicles such as semi-trucks that are expected to carry a large load usually have the same or better brake pad lifespan as road cars, but a passenger vehicle that is frequently used to haul heavy loads will wear out the brake pads much sooner.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/driving-with-two-feet\/\">Drivers who use both feet<\/a> to operate the brake and gas pedals have a tendency to &#8220;ride&#8221; the brakes with their left foot. This causes the brake pad material to wear at a much faster rate.<\/li>\n<li>Performance vehicles need better brake pads because they often drive near the limits of the vehicle, rapidly accelerating and decelerating. Drivers who take regular street pads to a track day or autocross event could even chew through the pads after an event or two, since street pads are generally not intended to be used for repeated hard stops in this way.<\/li>\n<li>Drivers who follow other vehicles too closely experience faster brake pad wear than more patient drivers. The close following distance means they have less time to react, which leads to repeated and more abrupt braking.<\/li>\n<li>Smooth, steady braking makes the pads last longer. It will save your other brake system components from unnecessary wear as well.<\/li>\n<li>Ceramic pads generally have the longest lifespan. Semi-metallic pads are the next best, and organic pads usually have the shortest life.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>If the ABS (<a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/abs-light-comes-on-symptoms\/\">anti lock braking system<\/a>) kicks on, it shortens the braking distance as intended but may increase pad wear on the rear pads dramatically.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>When you brake, the vehicle\u2019s weight shifts toward the front axle. This puts more of the braking responsibility on the front brakes, which is why they are usually larger and wear faster. A proportioning valve is a device used to balance the front to rear brake bias.<\/li>\n<li>The proportioning valve is a mechanical device on older vehicles. Newer vehicles with ABS use an electronic proportioning valve that sends more braking ability to the rear with ABS ready to step in if the rear brakes lock up.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When-to-Replace-Brake-Pads\"><\/span>When to Replace Brake Pads<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s a good idea to check the brake pads with every oil change since the lifespan can vary so greatly. Also check the service manual for your vehicle for the recommended replacement intervals.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s always <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/best-brake-pads\/\">best to replace the brake pads<\/a> before noticing any symptoms to prolong the life of the other components such as rotors and calipers.<\/p>\n<p>Brake pads actually aid in heat dissipation. When the pads wear, they are not able to take on as much heat and become more prone to brake fade.<\/p>\n<p>As a rule of thumb, you want to consider replacing the pads when the <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/brake-pad-thickness\/\">brake pad thickness<\/a> is the same thickness as the backing plate. Try not to wait until you hear that <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/noise-and-vibration-when-braking\/\">awful squealing noise<\/a> from the pad wear indicator!<\/p>\n<p>Rotors normally wear with time due to the friction of the brake pads. They just last longer than the pads because they can be resurfaced (made flat and even again) a few times before needing replacement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If you see any of the following <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/worn-brake-pads-symptoms\/\">symptoms of brake pads starting to fail<\/a>, make sure they are replaced immediately, ideally with the same type of material.<\/p>\n<p><em>See Also: <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/resurfacing-vs-replacing-brake-rotors\/\">Replacing vs Resurfacing Brake Rotors (How to Choose)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-Squealing-or-Squeaking\"><\/span>#1 \u2013 Squealing or Squeaking<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-504818\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/tire-noise.jpg\" alt=\"tire noise\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/tire-noise.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/tire-noise-200x112.jpg 200w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/tire-noise-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Brakes often squeal during wet weather but if you hear this sound during all types of weather, get it checked out. Some brake pads have a metal toothed area on the innermost section which makes strange noises as it spins to alert the driver that it\u2019s time to replace the pads.<\/p>\n<p><em>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/new-brakes-squeaking\/\">New Brakes Squeaking or Squealing? (5 Reasons Why)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-Thin-Brake-Pads\"><\/span>#2 \u2013 Thin Brake Pads<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-503640\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/worn-brake-pads.jpg\" alt=\"worn brake pads\" width=\"720\" height=\"314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/worn-brake-pads.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/worn-brake-pads-100x44.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The pads can be inspected externally between the spokes of the wheel. If they appear to be less than a quarter of an inch thick, have them checked. Many auto manufacturers recommend them to be replaced at 0.1\u201d but it\u2019s better to be cautious than wait too long.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-Indicator-Light\"><\/span>#3 \u2013 Indicator Light<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-504529\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/abs-light-come-on-cause.jpg\" alt=\"what causes ABS light to come on?\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/abs-light-come-on-cause.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/abs-light-come-on-cause-200x112.jpg 200w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/abs-light-come-on-cause-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Some modern vehicles have an indicator light when there is something wrong with the braking system and may tell you when the brake pads need replacement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4-Vibrating-or-Squishy-Brake-Pedal\"><\/span>#4 \u2013 Vibrating or Squishy Brake Pedal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-503494\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/brake-pedal-to-floor.jpg\" alt=\"brake pedal to floor\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/brake-pedal-to-floor.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/brake-pedal-to-floor-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/brake-pedal-to-floor-200x112.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If the brake pedal vibrates or feels otherwise strange when it is depressed the pads may need to be changed. The pedal may need to be pushed quite far to brake adequately.<\/p>\n<p>A \u201csquishy\u201d pedal can also be caused by different braking system troubles such as bubbles in the brake fluid, so have the vehicle checked immediately to avoid a dangerous accident.<\/p>\n<p>If your <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/spongy-brakes\/\">brake pedal feels spongy<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/brake-pedal-goes-to-floor\/\">goes to the floor too easily<\/a>, check to make sure you have <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/brake-fluid-leak-symptoms-repair-cost\/\">enough brake fluid<\/a>. Do not drive the vehicle without brake fluid in the brake master cylinder reservoir.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5-Metallic-Grinding-or-Crunching-While-Braking\"><\/span>#5 \u2013 Metallic Grinding or Crunching While Braking<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-504634\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/rough-slow-acceleration.jpg\" alt=\"brake noise while driving\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/rough-slow-acceleration.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/rough-slow-acceleration-200x112.jpg 200w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/rough-slow-acceleration-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Once the brake pads are nearly or completely worn away, you\u2019ll hear these telltale sounds of metal-on-metal contact between the rotor and caliper, which will quickly wear both of those components and may not work sufficiently to stop your vehicle in time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you step on the brakes, hydraulic fluid converts the brake pedal movement into a strong clamping force that stops your vehicle. Your brakes should be strong and reliable, since a short stopping distance could mean the difference between life &#8230; <a title=\"How Long Do Brake Pads Last on Average?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/how-long-brake-pads-last\/\" aria-label=\"More on How Long Do Brake Pads Last on Average?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1002,"featured_media":505007,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no"},"categories":[100325],"tags":[106],"modified_by":"Mark Stevens","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1002"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2649"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/505007"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2649"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2649"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2649"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}