How long do brakes usually last om your car before they have to be replaced.?

Question

I've a 2003 Chevrolet Impala LS and I had my brakes replaced in October 2005 so when I took my car to dealer on 04/03/2007 they told me I need to replace them so I do a lot of city driving so I was wondering should they be replace.

Answer 1

In the city you use them a lot, so it's possible. Make sure some one is topping your brake fluid, but don't over fill it.

Answer 2

It all depends on the driving habbits. I work in a brake shop, and I've seen the last anywhere from 8000km to 150 000km. I had to do the brakes on my mothers 1996 Dodge Caravan, and 130 000km of city driving, first time the brakes were done. I had a 2000 Dodge Viper with 8000km of track driving and the occosional city drive, on them and the brakes were shot all the way around. If the brakes are used to stop from highway speeds, the brakes will wear quite fast, if the vehicle never travles at high speeds, the brakes can last quite a wile. Driving habbits is what determines how long brakes will last, with any brand, or style of brake componant. Its not how many years (months) the brakes last, its how many miles that determines how long they last.

I have afriend that put about 100 000km on his car last year, he he's on his 4 set of pads, and second sets of rotors, and just put new calipers on. He's somewhat hard on his brakes and gets about 25 000km per set of pads. I drove [in my old car] 31 000km in the 14 months i had it, with new brakes put on right from the first week I bought it. I had about 50 - 60% pad left when I sold it. I'm not that hard on my brakes [in that car], I have about 70% pad left on my brakes out in my truck in 8000km of use. Don't let anyone tell you different, Driving Habbits are the number one way to makes brakes last or kill them. It doesnt' matter the quality of the pad material.

Answer 3

I did over 60k miles on my maxima in not even 2 year, all OEM the front brake pad still have 65% left, the rear had 35% left, all the rotors still had some where 80%, but I just like to replace complete front rotors and pads, from NAPA rotor on sale for $77 a pair and on ebay warner pads for $40 compare with auto zone $64

Answer 4

It all depends on how much you use the brakes in your driving. I would say 40-50K mi. are about usual. You can also get higher grade brake pads that will last longer like the metallic or ceramic pads. You may want to consider this if you have to replace them every 2 years. Good luck

Answer 5

On a GM every two years or 20,000 is normal. The first set only lasted 2 years, so expect that to be the average for that car and your driving conditions. Often if the pads aren't worn out by then, you need to change the brakes anyways due to surface corrosion on the rotors.

Ps. Don't listen to that guy about putting them on at an angle. His caliper hardware was stuck, and that caused his pads to wear unevenly.

Answer 6

i own a repair shop,and they should last at least around 15-20 thousand, on any car,some will last longer ,it depends on the driver and the kind of driving they do,open road driving will make brakes last a lot longer,but a lot of in town driving will wear them out real fast,so its possible you do need them now,you could have another shop check them just to be sure,but they may tell you the same thing also,but you don't have to have the brakes done at the dealer,any good repair shop can do them and save you some money on them,good luck i hope this helps.

Answer 7

When they need to be replaced usually depends on how you drive. I have a friend that drives like a bat out of hell and has replaced her brakes 2 times already and she got her car in late '05. I think that since your brakes were replaced 2 years after it should be time to replace them again.

Answer 8

Mostly, it depends on how you drive. What you drive makes a difference as well but not as drastic. I've seen gm brakes completely gone on cars with 12,000 mi. I usually replace front pads @ 80,000, and rear shoes - 120,000 mi. But it's a Honda, and it's a stick shift.
On my work truck, I have 40,000, and no signs of wear to pads. But it's a Toyota 4Runner, unfortunately they don't make them with stick, and I had no choice other than get it automatic.
In other words, considering all the variables, your front brakes should last 30,000-40,000 miles, rear - about 20% longer.

Answer 9

If they told you they need replaced again they probably do as city driving with all the stop and go eats brakes.

Answer 10

2 years on a set of pads... you did good. YES replace them. every one drive differently so brakes wear differently, b ut I have to tell you, my wife and AI drive two different vehicles and never in twenty years has a set of brakes lasted over 2 years.