Changing the brake pads on a car is generally considered to fall into the category of routine maintenance. The change should be made at approximately 50,000 miles. There are some exceptions, however. On average, this repair costs $150 per axel. However, paying for premium makes sense.
In the winter, people worry about their tires and brakes keeping up with the slush, snow, and sleet. Spring brings debris and plenty of rain. By time summer hits, we’re ready to play speed demon on the expressway. Driving can be fun, but you have to know when to hit the brakes so to speak.
All of this back and forth leaves one lingering question: when did you change the brake pads?
To start, the brake pads need to be swapped out for new ones every 50,000 miles or so. Mechanics disagree on this number, however.
The estimated milage is subject to many variables such as age, car, condition, etc. Even the type of driver you are could reduce or lengthen the amount of time brake pads can last.
For example, if you “ride the brakes,” coming to a very slow stop from blocks away from the traffic light, you could need them sooner.
This article answers the typical questions on brakes:
Along the ride, it will certainly answer a few more.
Estimates vary on how long brake pads last. Some mechanics estimates 40,000. Others suggest 50,000 miles. There are even a few who say that the information provided does not suffice to answer the question. In other words, it depends.
On any car, brake pads are important. How else can the car be stopped once set in motion? Without them, the road would certainly be less safe of a place.
Some people will count on their brakes for a certain number of years. Others know that mileage is more important. This is because a car that is driven 50,000 miles in five years and 200,000 miles in five years are going to look quite different when put up to a side-by-side comparison.
By some estimates, that number is as low as 20,000 miles. Others feel it can be pushed to 70,000.
Various elements will impact the lifespan of your brakes, making this a tricky question.
Asking how often should I change my brake pads leads to a more profound question: How do I know when it’s time?
Now that you know that you cannot hope and pray for your brake pads to last an eternity, you should be on the lookout for problems with them.
There are many factors that tell the driver to change the brake pads. Knowing these signs can help determine when the swap should be completed.
Brake pads are just one part of the braking system alongside rotors, calipers, and other pieces. The brake pad itself has several parts: a friction material, an underlayer, an adhesive, a brake shim, and a backing plate.
The brake pads are nestled into the caliper. How does it work? When the driver puts their foot on the pedal, a pressure system is activated that allows the caliper to close down on the brake pads. These pads latch onto the brake disc, shutting down the speed quickly and safely.
The friction material is important to note here. If the material runs out, due to excessive braking, broken brakes, or age, then the other parts can become damaged as a result (and rapidly so).
What’s important to remember here is that brake pads are not meant to last forever. It just would not work in the contemporary design of a vehicle. All brake pads wear down after a certain amount of time. How often should you replace them? One mechanic’s answer: “periodically.”
When trying to figure out how often to change your brake pads, you might be tempted to look into the average cost of the repair as well.
All mechanics charge various rates, so nailing this done to a fixed number is next to impossible. Rotors run about $55 on average (for parts). Labor at the garage will run as much as $200 per axel. Getting the pad and the rotor repaired at a mechanic might cost $250 per axel.
You could likely pay two to four times that. With calipers, the price climbs even higher. It’s not common for a total brake job to cost $1000.
Finding the right mechanic is the first step to resolving this issue. Many web resources point to an average repair cost of about $150 per axel for changing the brake pad. This means $600 if the whole car needs the brake pads changed.
Every car is different, though. Even the repair in question can alter the bottom line. If the brake system, including the rotors and calipers, need to be changed, it will drive up the final cost.
There are various factors that impact the cost of repair. For example, if you’re a driver of a car that’s European (Mercedes, Audi, etc.) or Japanese (Nissan, etc.), then you need to know it may cost more to make the repair as measurements are different and a specialty mechanic is required.
Again, heavier cars, like big trucks, will require more brake maintenance and repair when compared to a lighter vehicle.
The materials of the brake pad also impact cost. There are plenty of choices out there (organic, semi-metallic, and ceramic). Premium aftermarket brands cost more, but they also typically last longer. Talk to the shop owner or the auto parts store representative to figure out what makes sense for you.
Some people will be tempted to make this a DIY project. This isn’t recommended unless you have the experience, tools, and knowhow to get the job done right safely and efficiently. The brakes are not a car part with which one should play around or experiment.
If your left shoe was bad, would you only buy a new left shoe? Or would you replace both of them?
This is a silly question but it applies to the brake pad situation. Brake pads should wear down evenly on the right and left sides of the vehicle. In other words, yes, replace both front brakes and/or both back brakes.
If for some reason only the left or right brake pad is in sorry shape, you have a more serious repair problem on your hand. A simple replacement due to average wear and tear should have the removed pads looking even and identical in shape and form.
Most car owners don’t know that the front pads go faster. In fact, an estimated 70% of the braking occurs at the front of the vehicle. When you hit the brakes in your car, the weight transfers down a little bit. This is why the front brakes do more work than those in the rear.
Interesting fact: Older cars often have drum brakes in the back because they don’t do so much of the heavy lifting. These drum brakes don’t even require pads.
Is there ever a time when brake pad replacement isn’t worth it? Yes. When the cost of the job surpasses the value of the vehicle, you should really consider sending the car to the junkyard.
It’s hard to let go of our old car because we’ve already invested so much into it. However, when the average lifespan of a car is only twelve years, not much is to be expected.
If you’re a fan of driving around used cars, you should be careful not to overinvest in repairs just to get from point A to point B.
Instead, you should think like an economist. If the cost of the car is sunk (it’s costing more than it’s worth it to keep it on the road), perhaps a new ride is in order. You can sell the car to a junkyard (for cash payment), buy a bus pass, or purchase a brand-new car.
If not, remember that the average milage for brake pads is 50,000 miles and keep watch for warning signs that brake pad replacement is necessary. Drive safely!
