This month we have been talking about brakes and we are often asked the question, “how often should I change my automotive brakes?” Here are a couple of things to consider. 
Brake Pads
Brake pads typically come with a warranty – you may see a lifetime warranty, or more commonly, a warranty based on mileage, such as a 10,000 mile warranty. Lifetime warranties aren’t meant to last a car’s lifetime. Auto parts manufacturers use that terminology because brake pads do last a long time, but most car owners will trade and purchase a new car long before their brake pads need replacing.
Regardless of the terminology, it’s more important to listen to your car instead. When you apply the brakes, you can hear the sounds of a worn brake pad. If you hear a grinding noise or a squeak, its time to replace the brake pads, regardless of the mileage.
Rotors
Brake rotors, or brake discs, are what your vehicle’s brake pads clamp down on, and what stops the wheels from spinning. Like brake pads, there are different types of rotors, depending on your car and driving needs.
Unlike brake pads, rotors do not need to be changed on a regular basis, and should last indefinitely if you provide regular maintenance routines on your automobile. Rotors will be damaged if you allow your brake pads to wear down, and drive without the use of pads for an extended period of time. The grinding noise you begin to hear from the brake pads is an indication of the screws in the base of the brake pads grinding into the groove of your rotor. The more it continues to grind, the greater your chance of having to replace your rotors.
Do you want to keep your automotive brakes in top condition? Have them checked and replaced on a regular basis.
For all of your Denver Auto Repair needs, trust Express Car Care. Call (303) 691-2760 or stop by our shop today.
This is some really great information about brakes and when they need to be replaced. I have never known a lot about cars, but it’s always helpful to know what you can so you can tell when something’s wrong, especially for things like brakes. Mine have been pretty noisy recently, so I assumed the pads needed to be changed, but I wasn’t sure. Thanks for confirming my suspicions, and thanks for writing!