Brakes might just be the most important part of your car. They are the components that keep you safe by allowing you to stop on a dime. If you’ve notice you’re starting to stop more on a half dollar, then you should investigate getting your brake pads and rotors replaced.
Ideally, you should have your brake pads replaced between every 10,000 and 20,000 miles, and your rotors replaced between 50,000 and 70,000 miles.
Brake Pads: When to Replace Them
Your brakes are made up of three main parts: rotors, a metal wheel inside your tire attached to the overall brake system; calipers, which squeeze the rotor to cause friction to slow the car to a stop; and brake pads, which are attached to the calipers to keep them from scraping the rotor directly.
As a general rule, you should get your brake pads replaced every 10,000 to 20,000 miles to keep wear to a minimum. When it comes to your rotors, you have a bit longer. Your rotors should be replaced between 50,000 and 70,000 miles to keep your brakes in peak health.
When you hit these milestones, you should bring it in to our service center and we’ll check them for wear and damage.
Signs Your Brake Pads and Rotors Need to Be Replaced
If you don’t know the exact mileage of your car, you should look for signs that you need a brake pad or rotor replacement. Some signs to be aware of are:
- Intermittent Screeching: This might be one of the easiest signs to notice. If you hear a high-pitched screeching when you’re slowing down, it could be a sign that you might need a brake pad replacement.
- Vibrating Steering Wheel: If you feel a slight rumble in your steering wheel when you’re slowing down, it could mean that your brake pads are worn, and your rotors are being exposed to excessive heat.
- Grinding Noises: If your vehicle has stopped its screeching and moved onto a grumpy grumbling sound when you brake, it could mean that your pads have completely worn through, and you should bring it into our service center for a replacement as soon as possible.