How Often Should You Replace Brake Rotors?
Many drivers don’t keep a schedule in their head for when it’s time to replace certain parts on their car. And for some parts, there is not a set schedule. You simply replace them when they start to go bad or when they fail. This is the case with brakes. So that leaves you wondering about how often should you replace brake rotors, or when should the brake pads be changed?
The brake pads and rotors are the most common components of the braking system that need to be replaced periodically. Generally, your brakes should give you around 40,000 to 60,000 miles of service before either they need to be replaced. How long they last depend on the quality of the parts and your braking habits. Just remember that these parts will wear out eventually as even steel gives out under repeated pressure.
So how often should you replace brake rotors? And when should you consider a brake replacement or brake repair? As a happy medium, it is a good idea to inspect the wear on the rotors (they should feel smooth to the touch) every time the brake pads are replaced, which is typically about every 50,000 miles under ideal conditions. If you start to notice signs of heavy rust, grooves or scoring in the rotors, your mechanic may suggest a couple of brake repair options:
- Resurface the rotor (which means to smooth out the grooves or scoring on the surface of the rotor); or
- Replace the rotor
One good thing is that brake pads usually come with a built-in wear indicator indicating when they need to be replaced. However, if the pads are allowed to wear down too low, the indicator drags on the rotor creating a high-pitched squeal. If you wait until you hear your brakes squealing, you’ll be replacing both the brake pads and rotors more often.
Wondering how often should you replace brake rotors? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about brake replacement and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.
Many drivers don’t keep a schedule in their head for when it’s time to replace certain parts on their car. And for some parts, there is not a set schedule. You simply replace them when they start to go bad or when they fail. This is the case with brakes. So that leaves you wondering about how often should you replace brake rotors, or when should the brake pads be changed?
The brake pads and rotors are the most common components of the braking system that need to be replaced periodically. Generally, your brakes should give you around 40,000 to 60,000 miles of service before either they need to be replaced. How long they last depend on the quality of the parts and your braking habits. Just remember that these parts will wear out eventually as even steel gives out under repeated pressure.
So how often should you replace brake rotors? And when should you consider a brake replacement or brake repair? As a happy medium, it is a good idea to inspect the wear on the rotors (they should feel smooth to the touch) every time the brake pads are replaced, which is typically about every 50,000 miles under ideal conditions. If you start to notice signs of heavy rust, grooves or scoring in the rotors, your mechanic may suggest a couple of brake repair options:
- Resurface the rotor (which means to smooth out the grooves or scoring on the surface of the rotor); or
- Replace the rotor
One good thing is that brake pads usually come with a built-in wear indicator indicating when they need to be replaced. However, if the pads are allowed to wear down too low, the indicator drags on the rotor creating a high-pitched squeal. If you wait until you hear your brakes squealing, you’ll be replacing both the brake pads and rotors more often.
Wondering how often should you replace brake rotors? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about brake replacement and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.
