Did you know that there are nearly 6 million car accidents in the US every year? This results in almost 3 million injured people annually. Most of these accidents are caused by negligent drivers as well as poorly-maintained vehicles. For example, the brake pads are usually the first elements that get deteriorated and might cause a road accident.
That’s why many drivers wonder – how long do brake pads last? This is an important question because driving around with damaged brake pads is very dangerous. Keep reading to learn how many miles should brakes last and what are the signs of brake caliper deterioration.
How Do Brake Pads Work?
To understand why brake pads deteriorate, it’s important to understand how they work first. When you apply the brakes on your car, an element called brake caliper applies pressure to the rotors. The rotors are attached to the front wheels of your car. When you step on the brake pedal, the brake calipers apply pressure on the rotors that prevent the wheels from spinning. This is how the braking process works.
Over time, the brake pads get deteriorated due to friction and extreme temperatures. They will become less efficient and they need to be replaced, otherwise, your car might fail to stop in time and you’ll be involved in an accident.
How Long Do Brake Pads Last?
On average, standard brake pads can last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles or from 3 to 7 years with normal wear and tear. The rule of thumb is that the more you drive, the quicker your brakes will deteriorate. However, many factors influence the lifespan of brake calipers and these include your driving style, road conditions, and more.
Factors That Influence the Lifespan of Brake Pads
If you want to make your brake pads last longer, you should know the factors that influence how much wear and tear they get over the years. Here are the most important ones:
1. Braking Too Violently
This usually happens for people who are driving very fast. They tend to slam the brakes hard to stop in time at a red light or to let another car pass. Slamming the brakes puts too much pressure on the brake pads and that’s how they can deteriorate fast. It’s recommended to drive within speed limits, so you don’t have to brake too violently when you want to stop the car.
2. Having A Foot on the Gas Pedal When Braking
There are people out there who take their foot off the gas pedal and put it on the brake pedal to stop the car. This is the correct way to do it. Other people use their right foot for acceleration and the left foot for braking. As a result, the right foot will still be on the gas pedal for a few seconds when the brake pedal is pressed with the left foot. This might not seem like much but it can cause a lot of wear and tear on the brake pads in the long run.
3. Carrying Too Much Weight
It’s easier to stop a light car than a heavy car. Therefore, the more weight you carry with you, the quicker your brake pads will deteriorate. It’s fine if you need to transport people around, but take a look inside your car and see how you can remove unnecessary weight such as bottles of water, full bags of items, or heavy items from your trunk, etc.
4. Not Anticipating The Traffic Correctly
Experienced drivers know how to read the traffic and drive carefully around town and on the highway. For example, there’s no point in accelerating too much if you’re going to stop at a red light in about 10 seconds. By having a smoother driving experience, the brake pads are not worn too much because the driver doesn’t have to use them too often. You should also try to read the traffic ahead and make adjustments on time, so you don’t have to apply the brakes violently.
Tops Signs That Your Brake Pads Are Worn
It’s important to know a few signs that your brake pads need to be replaced. It’s even more important not to ignore those signs. A car without functional brakes is dangerous for its passengers as well as the other traffic participants. Here are the most popular signs:
1. Your Vehicle Takes Longer to Stop
You don’t need to be an experienced driver to realize this. If you follow the same path from your home to work every day and you see that your car takes a few seconds longer to stop, chances are that the brake pads are worn out. In some cases, you might even feel a slight delay from the moment you press the brakes to the moment your vehicle begins stopping.
2. Your Car Changes Direction When You Brake
If the car steers slightly to the left or right when you apply the brakes, this could be a sign that the brakes are unevenly worn out. You will see this better when you drive in a straight line. Make sure that you visit an auto repair shop soon to replace the brake calipers.
3. The Brake Pedal Vibrates When Pressed
It’s not normal for the brake pedal to vibrate when your car slows down. At the same time, it’s not normal for your car to make weird sounds when you apply the brakes. These are usually signs that the brake pads are seriously deteriorated and they need to be replaced.
Now You Know How Long Brake Pads Last
Hopefully, this article provided a few good answers to your original question – how long do brake pads last? In theory, brake pads can last up to 70,000 miles, but whether you get that mileage or not depends on how you drive your car.
As you already know, your vehicle’s braking system is one of the most important elements when it comes to safety. Make sure that you schedule a brake inspection and repair service with our technicians to ensure that your brakes perform at optimal parameters! Our professionals are certified and have years of experience working with vehicles from all makes and models.
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