How Long Do Car Brakes Last?

How many miles do brakes last? Your average set of brakes can be expected to last between 25,000 and 65,000 miles under normal conditions, but this can vary on a few factors. Where you drive and how you drive can affect the lifespan of your brakes. Take a look below as we go over these questions and more:

• How long do car brakes last?
• How long do ceramic brakes last?
• Why does my car shake when I brake?

How Many Miles Do Brakes Last?

As we mentioned, you can expect your brakes to last between 25,000 to 65,000 miles. Some brake pad sets can even last over 80,000 miles! We recommend checking your owner’s manual for your make and model’s specific needs and recommended maintenance schedule so that you’re always up to date on the services your vehicle needs.

Service centers like ours will know how to take care of your vehicle’s needs in a speedy and quick manner, and they can give you a better estimate of how your brakes are doing with torque calculations, performance specs, and more. Our service center can also replace your Chevrolet vehicle with genuine OEM parts that are made specifically with your vehicle in mind compared to third-party options.

What Factors Affect My Brake Pads?

There are a few factors to keep in mind when considering your brake pads and their longevity:

• Your Driving Habits: Braking harder and more quickly over and over again will wear down your brake pads much more quickly than coasting to a stop. If you have a tendency to go hard on your brakes, it’s best to learn to brake more gradually/softly.
• Your Environment: If you drive in heavy traffic or stop at many stop signs on your daily drives, you’ll wear down your brakes more quickly.
• Brake Pad Material: We often get asked about ceramic brakes. How long do ceramic brakes last? They’ll last longer compared to standard brakes, but they can be more expensive. Always check your owner’s manual to see what kind of brake pads are most recommended for your specific make and model.

Why Does My Car Shake When I Brake?

We recommend bringing in your vehicle if your car is shaking when you brake. The most common cause is that there’s a problem with your brake system in some form, but there are a few reasons this could be happening:

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

The most common is usually a brake issue, but it’s important to bring in your vehicle so that we can find the specific problem and nip it in the bud. We also offer a number of rotating service specials to help you save money during your next visit.

Choose Macke Motors, Inc. for Your Brake Services

Contact our service department today to learn about your options with Macke Motors, Inc. and to have all of your questions answered by our dedicated team! We handle a variety of common and everyday maintenance and repair needs for Des Moines drivers and beyond.