How Long Do Brake Pads Last?

How Long Will My Brake Pads Last?

Although there isn’t a hard rule about this, there are plenty of recommendations in place. A typical brake pad will last, on average, about 40,000 miles. The actual parameters are broader in scope, ranging anywhere from 20,000 to 65,000 miles. The defining factors of your brake pad’s lifespan is the type of pads used and your own driving habits.

If you’re the kind of driver that’s constantly on the move, or putting heavy miles on your engine, then it follows that the lifespan of your brake pads will be noticeably shorter. This is in comparison to drivers who tend to have a more laid back or balanced driving life, which does not incur heavy wear on the pads. Cutting down on the amount you have to drive will extend the pad’s lifespan, especially if you ease up on the hard braking.

How Will I Know When To Change My Brake Pads?

Much like any other piece of equipment in your vehicle, when something begins to become worn down or needs changing, you can expect to see some type of sign or malfunction. Here are just a few of them for you to look out for the next time you hit the road.

A great example is experiencing vibration when you apply the brake pedal. This often signifies that the braking system needs an expert to service it. However, it can also mean that an element, like the rotors, are warped and have created uneven brake pad wear.

When you encounter a loud grinding noise when you engage the brake pedal, this is a sign that your brakes need replacing immediately. This can be due to how some brake pads have metal wear indicators in place to alert you to the fact that they need to be replaced by emitting that loud grinding.

One other sign is that your brake pads look too thin. Through visual inspection, you can see if they appear to be less than a half-inch, or 6.4-mm thick, and if so, prepare to get them changed sooner than later.