How Often Should You Replace Brake Pads?

Most manufacturers estimate brake pads last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, but that range depends heavily on how and where you drive.

City driving with lots of stop-and-go traffic wears pads faster than highway miles. Aggressive braking habits and towing also shorten pad life significantly.

The most reliable way to check is a visual inspection. If the pad material is less than 3-4mm thick, it's time to replace them. A squealing noise when braking is usually the wear indicator doing its job.

Don't forget the rotors. If you've gone through a full set of pads without resurfacing or replacing the rotors, it's worth having them checked for scoring or warping at the same time.