How Long Do Brake Pads Last?

Brake pads provide safety and security to you and your passengers as a vital part of your vehicle’s braking system. Brake pads contact the discs or rotors to slow down the vehicle and bring the car to a stop, and they must work properly at all times. At our Shelby service center, we often get questions from customers about how long parts should last on their vehicles. One such question people have is, “How long do brake pads last?” 

In general, ordinary brake pads can last between 40,000 and 50,000 miles. Read our guide to discover more information about your vehicle’s braking system and potential upgrades to ceramic brake pads that last longer than ordinary ones. Afterward, contact us to schedule service, or call us at 704-484-0422 if you have any questions.

What Causes Brake Pad Wear? 

Brake pads make direct contact with brake rotors or discs. They cause friction and slow down your vehicle on Kings Mountain streets. This friction, and the heat caused by it, eventually wear down the brake pads over time. And brake pads will need to be replaced at some point. It’s a natural byproduct of your vehicle’s operation. The key to replacing brake pads before they start to grind and make noises is to have regular brake inspections. Our technicians recommend a brake inspection every time you bring your car, truck, or SUV in for service.

A few factors can increase or decrease the wear and tear on your vehicle’s brake pads. How regularly and how hard you apply the brakes can cause the brake pads to wear out faster or slower. If you slam on the brakes a lot or tow heavy trailers, your brakes might wear out faster. Other factors, like outside temperatures and road conditions, can also negatively impact the brake pads. 

Check out our list of what can determine how long brake pads last:

• Driving/braking habits
• Type of brake pad/brake pad materials
• Manual vs. automatic transmission
• Local driving environment
• Condition of other brake components

How Long Should Brake Pads Last?

The wear on brake pads changes based on the year, make, and model of the vehicle. Also, the brand and quality of the brake pads themselves determine how long brake pads should last. Brake pads can go as long as 20,000 miles on the low end if you use the brakes a lot or apply them heavily. On the high end, brake pads can last up to 75,000 miles if you go easy on the brakes or have high-end materials such as ceramic.

How Long Do Ceramic Brake Pads Last?

When discussing the higher end of how long brake pads last, you have to start with ceramic materials, typically only found on high-performance and luxury cars. Ceramic is a material that shuns heat much more readily than metal or organic brake pads, which gives ceramic pads a longer lifespan. However, they are more expensive to purchase when you replace your old brake pads with new ceramic ones. But the good news is, you replace ceramic brake pads fewer times over the long-term ownership of your vehicle! 

How long do ceramic brake pads last? They can perform reliably for up to 75,000 miles on average! Call us at 704-484-0422 and ask about a potential ceramic brake pad upgrade for your vehicle near Hickory!

Get Brake Pad Service in Shelby

How long do brake pads last? How long do ceramic brake pads last? How long should brake pads last? We’ve answered these questions. Now, we answer one more: When was the last time you had your brakes inspected? If you’ve had your brake pads for tens of thousands of miles, consider bringing them to our service technicians to see if they need to be replaced.

Stay safe on the roads of Gastonia and beyond with a comprehensive vehicle inspection along with your next oil change. Schedule a service appointment at Renaldo Honda and review our service specials to save on repairs and maintenance.