How long does your brake pads last?
 

I find that brake pads don't as long as what certain manufacturers say. Some say 40,000, some say 60,000. But it seems like they barely last 20,000 but that is with 80 percent city driving.

Am I doing it wrong or does anybody else feel the same?

Change the way you drive.

:okay:

Depends what you drive. On my car, people put 60k on the rears, but because of the weight, it goes OM NOM NOM NOM through fronts.

Depending on how you drive, a change in that may give you longer brake life, and also better fuel economy. In my early driving days, I'd brake hard, regularly. I liked to speed, and I didn't look far enough ahead to anticipate slowing down or braking. I'm sure I changed brake pads quicker than average.

Exactly.

My MS3 has 40K on it now, and the brakes look like they've still got 3/4 of their life still left.

i went 5yrs
100,000+ without changing.
when the new owner did an inspection at mechanic it was 50%front 60% rear

95 civic eg

hmm my parents old car 04 toyota rav 4 was still going well, 90k clicks and no screech or anything from the brakes

What kind of car is it? What pads/rotors are you using?
High performance brakes don't tend to last as long. They're meant to stop fast which obviously will eat pads and rotors faster.

If you're using regular brake components and you're only getting 20k its either due to aggressive braking or maybe you have a faulty caliper. Does your car feel sluggish? Had a customer in a sunfire where there brakes weren't fully disengaging, she's noticed the car being sluggish, but being a "typical" girl she didn't think anything of it until the brakes were squeeling horribly.

For me they usually last 40-60,000 km. I've always just used OE equivalent stuff.

I change mine at around 30k, but it depends what compund you use. Ceramic ones last longer but brake shiiter. The organic ones are best but they wear out quick

It depends on how heavy your car is.. the heavier it is, the more brake force it needs to stop. If you are hell bent on not wanting to get your brake replaced and you are mostly city driving.. get a car with regenerative braking.

Change your driving habits and your brakes will last longer.


One thing you can, and should do, is engine brake / transmission brake on long hills.

You can also employ those tactics at red lights, in an automatic just shift down through the lower gears, you should end up at a crawl, then use your brakes. For a manual, just engine brake to reds.

My brakes have lasted a LONG time.


I love how strong my 700r4/4L60E is. :D

20,000 is plenty for brake pads, plus they aren't that expensive, even for the performance kind.

I drive pretty hardcore to the limit so mine last about 500 km.

is that a typo?

5000*

is that a typo?

What the hell I swear I replied to this thread... anyways..

Mine are at about 50,000km (06 Cobalt) but they're due for replacement soon

Yes it is, I meant 50km


derp....

^ 5000km is like asian woman would do to their brakes

I did this when I used to own a manual car, though I quickly learned that drivers behind me often can't tell when a car is slowing down in front of them unless the brake lights are lit. I always flash my brake lights several times if I'm downshifting without using my brakes. On my motorcycle, I always flash them before applying (unless it's an emergency of course).

+1

Like everyone says it depends on the car and your driving habits..

I remember my G35 used to go through brake pads like toothpicks.

Vancouver is not very brake friendly because there are no highways, you can't really go long stretches without touching the brakes. It will be especially bad if you drive up and down hills or mountains a lot. And yes driving style matters.

Those stories of people going 100,000 miles on original brakes are usually highway cars. Not saying its not possible, but unless you live in Chilliwack and commute to North Van on Highway 1 everyday, its not gonna happen.

I have EBC pads on my SUV, they've lasted 2 1/2 years of hard driving up and down mountains everyday, its been around 60000kms so its a good bet there is something seriously wrong with your driving style or something is wrong with your car.

driven 40,000kms on my civic and pads still have a bit of life left. it all depends on how u drive.

Raybestos blue box 70k but killed the rotors at the same time.
Raybestos red box 40k but able to get 2 sets of pads before changing rotors.

my stock celica pads went 140k