Wednesday, October 14, 2020

How Many Miles Should Brakes Last?

how many miles should brakes last

Many car owners may have read through their service manual to try to find out how many miles should brakes last before needing some form of repair.  Inappropriately, there is not a set schedule to go by for brake service.  The fact is, every time you feel you are starting to notice stopping issues is the time to have your brakes checked.  

Taking care of your brakes is critical for safe driving.  If you know your car, you should be able to notice when your brakes begin to fail and lose their usefulness.  If you cannot stop your car when and where you want to, you could be just minutes away from an accident.

It is smarter to put out a few dollars upfront to make sure your vehicle is driving as safe as possible rather than driving a vehicle that is not safe.  In terms of driving safety, brake repair is worth every penny!

Neglecting just one of the several components that make up the braking system can cause damage to any or all of them. The 3 most common components that want to be replaced periodically include:

  • Brake Pads – A squealing sound when the brakes are engaged may be the sound of metal on metal. This means that the brake pads have worn down and want to be replaced. If not replaced in a timely manner, damage can occur to the calipers. 
  • Calipers  Calipers squeeze the brake pads against the rotors, causing your car to come to a stop. If calipers want to be replaced, the cost of brake repair will be more expensive than replacing pads or rotors, so make sure to have them checked regularly. 
  • Rotors – The brake pads are pushed by the calipers against the wall of the rotor, creating the friction that brings your car to a stop. Rotors have a minimum width specified by the manufacturer.  If your rotor does not go under that minimum width, it may only want to be reappeared instead of replaced.

Remember:  Brake repair should not be neglected.  Spending a few dollars now on simple brake repair is worth the peace of mind you gain knowing you are driving as safe as possible! 

Do you want to know how many miles should brakes last?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about brake repair service and to make an appointment.  Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.