How Long Do Car Brakes Last?

There is no one easy answer to the question, “How many miles do brakes last?” However, there are averages that have been calculated, and most experts estimate that the average brakes last between 25,000 and 65,000 miles. This depends on a number of factors, though, including your daily driving habits around Thibodaux and what kind of brake pads you use. Keeping that in mind, the service center at Southland Dodge has put together a quick guide discussing the common factors affecting your brakes and some causes of common brake problems. Check it out!

How Many Miles Do Brakes Last?

As stated above, the average brake life range falls somewhere between 25,000 and 65,000 miles. This is such a large range because it’s difficult to assign a hard number to a brake system’s lifespan. In fact, some brake pads may last well over 80,000 miles if properly taken care of! Your owner’s manual should give you more specific numbers, as part of your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule (oil change, tire rotation, etc).

You can also bring your vehicle by an OEM-certified service center such as the one at Southland Dodge, where expert technicians will inspect the vehicle and give you an accurate estimation of when to replace your brakes. They take a number of factors into consideration, including performance specs and torque calculations. When your brake pads need replacing, they’ll use genuine OEM parts specifically designed for your make and model, which will fit better and last longer than third-party parts.

What Factors Affect Brake Pad Life?

If you’re wondering how long your specific car’s brakes will last, take the following factors into consideration:

• Driving habits: Pressing hard on the brakes will cause them to wear out faster, instead of coasting to a stop.
• Environment: City driving means braking more for traffic lights, pedestrians, and stop signs. This will naturally wear your brakes out faster than doing mostly highway driving.
• Brake pad material: If your brake pads are made of carbon and ceramic rather than the standard metal, they’ll last longer – but they’ll also be more expensive. Your owner’s manual will give you more specifics about your car’s type of brake pads.

Why Does My Car Shake When I Brake?

If you’re driving down the streets of Paradis and you find your car shaking when you press on the brake pedal, you should schedule a service appointment and bring your car in for maintenance right away. A shaking sensation usually means there’s a problem with your car’s braking system, although there could be other causes as well:

• One of your tires is experiencing “run out” or is no longer perfectly round.
• One of your wheels is unbalanced.
• Your car’s front-end alignment is off.
• A loose control arm or damaged knuckle is affecting your car’s steering.
• Your car’s axle shaft is damaged.
• Your vehicle has loose lug nuts.

When you bring your car in for a service appointment, our technicians will be able to diagnose and address the shaking sensation in your braking system.

Have Your Brakes Inspected & Serviced at Southland Dodge

If you have any questions about your car’s braking system or just want more information about anything discussed above, feel free to contact our dealership near Hahnville anytime! We also have a variety of service tips and tricks on our website if you’re interested in learning more about your car’s oil, battery, tires, and more.